File photo dated 18/09/24 of Taoiseach Simon Harris speaking to the media in the courtyard of the Government Buildings, Dublin. Taoiseach Simon Harris is to chair a summit at Government Buildings, designed to create a "collective focus across Government" on implementing the new Online Safety Framework. Issue date: Thursday September 19, 2024.(Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Taoiseach and Tánaiste react to poll boost for Simon Harris

An Irish Times IPSOS/MRBI poll published on Thursday recorded Taoiseach Simon Harris’ popularity as 55 per cent (up 17 points)

by · Irish Mirror

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said he is “not necessarily” concerned about a huge jump in support for Taoiseach Simon Harris.

It comes following a 17-point boost in the Fine Gael leader’s popularity in the space of four months.

An Irish Times IPSOS/MRBI poll published on Thursday recorded Mr Harris’ popularity as 55 per cent (up 17 points). He was followed by Mr Martin on 47 per cent (up one point) and Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald on 30 per cent (down six points).

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Fine Gael’s popularity also increased by four points to 27 per cent, while Sinn Féin fell three points to 20 per cent and Fianna Fáil dropped to 19 per cent (down one point).

Asked at the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska if he was worried about the bounce in support for Mr Harris, the Tánaiste dismissed the poll.

“Not necessarily, to be frank, because we do our own research and work as well,” Mr Martin explained.

“This is a multi-seat proportional representation electoral system, [there is a] combination of factors involved in terms of constituency strengths and so on like that.

(left to right) Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Micheal Martin and Taoiseach Simon Harris(Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

“In the May poll and in all the polling before the local elections, we were a distant third. We came out first in terms of seats in the local elections. We doubled our European seats from two to four only last June.

“I know from experience of the 2020 election that the dynamic of an election campaign will be crucial to how that election campaign develops the election.”

The Taoiseach, meanwhile, insisted that the results of the poll had not changed his mind about the time of the election. This is despite the fact he has not specifically said whether he wants the election to be in 2024 or 2025.

Mr Harris said: “Polls come and polls go. I’m a new Taoiseach but I'm in politics long enough to not read too much into stuff.

“There will be a general election in due course. My position on this hasn't changed. I've been asked about it on a very regular basis. But right now, I want the government to get on with its work and I want the government to finish its work as well.”

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