This article is from page 10 of the 2007-05-01 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
TNS MRBI opinion poll which showed a five per cent surge in support for Fine Gael.
The findings also revealed the al- ternative coalition of Fine Gael and Labour to be in a strong position to win the forthcoming election.
According to the poll, Labour and Fine Gael have a combined 41 per cent share of the vote while Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats have a combined share of 37 per
Cone
Mr Kenny said he sensed the coun- try wanted a change and that mo- mentum was now very much with Opposition parties.
“The result of that poll is certainly very encouraging but its only reflec-
tive of other polls published in the last few weeks and they reflect a view of people around the country that they want change, that they are tired of this Government and that momentum is there and we are going to continue to build on that.”
According to Mr Kenny, the poll revealed the strides made by opposi- tion parties and revealed high levels of public dissatisfaction with the cur- rent Government.
However, he was quick to point out that the battles ahead would be
fought on multiple fronts. He admit- ted he was encouraged but that he wouldn’t be getting carried away.
“Well a few months ago you wouldn’t get any bet on the result of that particular poll. The point is that this is an election that takes place over 43 constituencies on any given day that takes into account person- alities, local issues and all of that. So that’s what my focus is on. While the poll itself 1s very encouraging. it’s only part of a trend that’s being reflected by the people which will decide the ultimate poll.”
He also fired a broadside at Taol- seach Bertie Ahern. Reacting to Fine Gael’s strong showing in the polls, Mr Ahern had warned the elector- ate to think twice before entrusting the reins of power to the alternative coalition.
In response Mr Kenny rounded on the Government’s performance over the previous ten years.
“Well, I won’t take lectures from Fianna Fail who have misspent the people’s money over the last ten years. This administrations is one whose hallmark is indecisiveness and incompetence on a vast scale and you can find it through every town and parish in County Clare,” said Mr aah