Republican News · Thursday 21 February 2002

Poll boosts for Sinn Féin

IMS poll taken for the Irish Independent and RTE's Primetime puts Sinn Féin candidate Daithí Doolan at 10.2% in the constituency of Dublin South East, while an MRBI poll for TG4 in Donegal South West puts the two Sinn Féin candidates at a combined 9%.

In a shock finding for the PDs in particular in the Dublin constituency, Michael McDowell came in behind Doolan at just 9.1% while Frances Fitzgerald's Fine Gael seat appears under pressure from Fianna Fáil. In Donegal South West, Fianna Fáil appear set to retake the seat lost to independent Tom Gildea last time out but Pearse Doherty and Tom Dignam of Sinn Féin, at 6% and 3% respectively, will be delighted with their first time showing.

"Polls always seem to underestimate the performance of Sinn Féin," said Doolan." "One of the views put forward on tonight's programme was that no seat can be taken for granted. The feedback we are getting on the doorsteps shows we have enough support to win the fourth seat.

"I agree with Chris Glennon, the Irish Independent political correspondent, that the electorate will vote on the basis of work done by candidates and parties in the constituency and not on the basis of the election campaign. Sinn Féin has a high profile in the area and unlike some of the recent arrivals I have a long track record of active involvement in the community and local issues. At the moment Sinn Féin is being recognised as the party most fully committed to the anti-incinerator campaign."

The IMS poll also showed that the government's abortion referendum campaign is in severe difficulties. In Dublin South East, 48% of those polled indicated they would be voting No, while only 17% were in favour of the FF/PD proposal.

d asked in Dublin South East about Sinn Féin in coalition, 46% supported the concept of Sinn Féin ministers in government if there is a hung Dáil as opposed to 40% against.