MORE PEOPLE SUPPORT Richard Bruton to become Taoiseach than Enda Kenny if Fine Gael leads the next government, according to a new poll.

About a quarter of people questioned (26%) for a Sunday Times/Red C poll say they would prefer Eamon Gilmore to be Taoiseach in a Fine Gael/Labour coalition government.

However, 25% would prefer to see Richard Bruton become Taoiseach, rather than Enda Kenny (19%).

A poll conducted by Red C for the Irish Sun earlier in the week showed that support for Fianna Fáil has hit a record low, at just 13%. Fine Gael topped that poll with 32%, with Labour receiving 24%.

Responding to the Irish Sun’s poll on RTÉ Radio One today, the Minister for Defence Tony Killeen said: “Fianna Fáil have become used to difficult polls because of the decisions we’ve taken, putting the country before party political interests”.

He said the party was focused on making sure the economy can cope with the crisis and grow and create jobs, and it shouldn’t be surprising that some of its decisions have not won popularity.

The Red C/Sunday Times poll shows that most people favour Brian Lenihan to take over from Brian Cowen as leader of Fianna Fáil, with Micheál Martin second-favourite. Since announcing recently that he would call a general election in the New Year, Brian Cowen has insisted he will lead his party into the next election.