DESPITE THE GOVERNMENT swaying from controversy to controversy over the past year, trust in it has risen 5% over the past 12 months, according to new data.

However, it remains the least trusted of the four main institutions in Ireland.

The Fine Gael/Labour coalition bucked the trend in the latest Edelman Trust Barometer, as NGOs, business, and the media all recorded a fall in the public’s trust in them.

Joe Carmody, managing director of Edelman Ireland, said the results raise questions “as to why organisations are failing to take action to regain lost credibility”.

“Despite improving economic sentiment this year’s trust barometer Ireland findings highlight, how Ireland remains a profoundly distrusting society,” he said.

The overall level of trust in Ireland fell two points to 37% over the past, leaving Ireland second last among the 27 countries surveyed.

Clinging

While it’s still clinging to its position as Ireland’s most trusted institution, NGOs saw a 10-point fall in trust to 48%.

Trust in business fell three points to 38%, while trust in the media also fell three points to 34%.

These results are not unique in Ireland. A turbulent 2015 has dragged trust in the four institutions below 50% in most countries, a decrease branded as ‘startling’ by the president of Edelman, Richard Edelman said, noting events ranging from the Ebola outbreak, several air crashes, and exchange rate rigging.

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