Cowen Outlines Party Plan

Brian Cowen has launched a party plan as the difficult June elections near.

As the political party leaders take to their electioneering campaigns, the latest opinion polls put Fine Gael's popularity at 13% higher than the governing party, Fianna Fail.

The poll reveals more bad news for the Taoiseach, with his party's support now at an all-time low of 21%.

However, the Taoiseach has outlined his plan for the government saying the party would work to stabilise the public finances, sort out the banks, maintain and create jobs and help those out of work return to employment as soon as possible.

Mr Cowen said: "Fianna Fáil have had to take tough decisions but they are the right decisions. In a global recession, our opponents have too often put their own narrow political interests above the national interest.

"They bicker amongst themselves, offering dangerous and conflicting policies - Fine Gael wants spending cuts while Labour wants increases. Their risky and divergent plans would wreak havoc on Ireland's economy and stifle recovery."

Fine Gael remains the most popular party in the country with support unchanged at 34%, while Labour remains steady at 18%.

Sinn Fein is up 3 points to 10% and the Greens are down 1 to 4 %.

The poll results come just five days before voters head to the election halls for the local and European elections.

(DW/BMcC)