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Updated at midday.
THE FIRST OPINION Poll of 2015 is here.
There’s good news for the Government— and for the first time, Lucinda Creighton’s as-yet-untitled political grouping makes an appearance. The Paddy Power/Red C survey was carried out on behalf of RTÉ’s Sean O’Rourke programme.
Here’s how it’s looking…
Fine Gael‘s showing of 24 per cent is an improvement of three points on the last comparable Red C poll, carried out for the Sunday Business Post in December.
Labour, on 8 per cent, are up two percentage points.
In terms of the opposition parties, Fianna Fáil are on 18 per cent — down one point from the last Red C poll. Sinn Féin, on 21, are down three.
28 per cent of voters would support Independents or others, according to this latest poll, and the Greens are on one per cent.
The Lucinda question
One per cent of voters said they would vote for Creighton’s new grouping, if an election were held tomorrow (that result is included in that 28 per cent for independents/others).
However, in answers to a separate question on the new ‘Reboot Ireland’ project, six per cent of voters suggested they might give them a first preference, based on what they have heard so far.
Respondents were also asked about the mooted alliance of independents being put together by Shane Ross and Michael Fitzmaurice, with 12 per cent of voters suggesting they would definitely give the group a ‘number 1′ if a candidate was available in their area.
Gerry Adams is the main mover in terms of satisfaction with the main party leaders — but the Sinn Féin TD’s numbers aren’t moving in the right direction for the party: Adams, on 27 per cent, has seen his personal support drop seven points since June of last year.
Elsewhere, there’s a slight drop for Enda Kenny — down two points in the past six months. Michéal Martin, on 31 per cent, is also down two, while Joan Burton makes her first appearance in the category, and is on 33 per cent.
In the section where people were asked about possible new parties or alliances, 8 per cent said they would give a coalition of Socialist and left-wing parties a first preference in the next General Election.
Just 15 per cent said they would give a number one to a Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael combination, if the two Civil War parties managed to put their issues aside and enter an agreement.
Same-sex marriage
Elsewhere, there appears to be broad backing for a ‘yes’ vote in the upcoming Marriage Equality referendum, ahead of the May vote.
76 per cent said they would be in favour of same-sex marriage, with strong support among all groups of voters, and across social grades.
The poll was conducted by phone among 1,002 voters between Monday and Tuesday of this week. Landline and mobile customers were contacted, according to Red C.
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Terrorism and counterterrorism , as Noam Chomsky says if you want to stop terrorism , stop partaking in it .
But ours is good terror, like terror lite, a diet terror if you will. (Australian commedian)
The Millennium Bug took up a lot of their time in 1998/1999. I’d have also had it on agenda for 2000 under the heading “Who wasted our bloody time”
A lot of people, including me, celebrated their New Year at work. I arrived at 9 am on the 31/12 and got home at 6 am on 1/1/2000. I was back in work at 2 pm. Missed my son’s first New Years Day.
It wasn’t a waste of time – a lot of people like me had spent the previous 2-3 years planning and testing to make sure nothing went wrong. Just so someone like could say “See nothing went wrong. It was a waste of time.”
It was all a load of nonsense that made people like you miss key life moments. Hype for hypes sake.
How is Italy still relevant?
Waffler
Italy is the third largest economy in Europe ……so why would you ask as to it’s inclusion?
Aren’t they a trillion in debt and rising? Just recently elected a PM after 18 months without one? The country almost collapsed if what we’re told is to be believed. And then there silvio ;)
4th largest. Germany, UK , France.
Putting it simply the G8 is a rich boys playground…. They did F…. A… For the small guy….
Like any conference… The side bar conversations and meetings are what is of most value.
Such nonsense. The Bilderbergers on the instruction of the Rothschilds dictate what happen in the world. These politicians are just puppets/talking heads for us minions to look at. Capitalisim rules.
Alway crack a smile when I see a talking in pictured in a hospital, meeting, scene of some awful disaster and their jacket is off, wearing a cream or light blue shirt with rolled up sleeves. Few pics taken amd off they go.
Your Listening to the religious fundsmentslist, conspirator and all round nut job Alxc Jones too much
So it’s not a new smart phone then…….doh
If they really were doing good and solving the world’s problems then the same topics wouldn’t be coming up every other year.look how often aids and debt forgiveness have come up for example.its just a bit of a get together for the lads(and Merkel)
Realistically what have they done – SFA
By managing their economies well they keep civilisation from degenerating into a world wide barbarian jungle of pot smokers on welfare. They need to do more and they have the means because they respect industry and investment.
Managing their economies well? Seriously? Did you miss the world wide crash and those countries leading the crash
When Joe the Punter over-borrowed to willingly overpay for property on the assumption that it was a smart move because it would go up and up he was a fellow with the banks in the bubble. When Irish government made moves to limit 100% mortgages they were accused of corruptly throne to protect the Big Four conservative banks. Try having a go at the media (now keeping their heads down an this) that welcomed the foreign banks that destroyed our banks and economy. When G8 or anyone tried or tries to regulate they are accused of being oppressive.
G8 didn’t try to regulate any banks. What broke the Irish banks was developers not Joe the punter.
Joe the punter took the money.
The 180000 irish mortgages in arrears that joe punter took out has the banks fukked not just the developers. The g8 does more good than you think. On another note, 2500 pot smokers protested in Dublin yesterday for legalisation of marijuana, most looked like unemployed wasters and a reason not to make it legal (even if I think it should and be taxed)
Kept the cows in the field, if only those pesky walkers would close it though.
have your say