Thu Sep 19 07:27:29 UTC 2024: ## Harris’s Approval Soars, Fine Gael Gains Ground in Latest Poll
Taoiseach Simon Harris has seen his approval rating skyrocket in the latest Irish Times/Ipsos poll, surging 17% since the last survey. This surge has propelled Harris ahead of Tánaiste Micheál Martin, making him the country’s most popular party leader.
Harris now boasts a 55% approval rating, compared to Martin’s 47%. Meanwhile, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald’s approval has dropped 6% to 30%, her lowest rating since the poll began tracking approval ratings in 2019.
The poll also revealed a significant boost in the Government’s approval rating, which has jumped to 40%. Fine Gael has also seen a surge in support, gaining 4% to reach 27%, putting them 7% ahead of Sinn Féin and 8% ahead of coalition partners Fianna Fáil.
Support for Sinn Féin continues to decline, falling 3% to 20%, while Fianna Fáil dropped 1% to 19%. The smaller parties, however, saw a slight increase in support.
Ahead of the Ploughing Championships, Harris addressed concerns within the farming sector, citing a lack of certainty around succession as the “number one issue.” He pledged to champion farming and support young farmers, focusing on making succession easier and creating pathways into the profession.
First Piper 