Housing Minister James Browne Tops Poll Of Worst Performing Ministers In Government’s First 100 Days

The polling was conducted before NAMA boss Brendan McDonagh ruled himself out of the running to be the CEO of the new Housing Activation Office after being the preferred option of Minister Browne.

Housing Minister James Browne has been voted the worst performing Minister through the first 100 days of the Government.

A poll conducted by Kfm of Leinster House insiders had the Wexford TD as the Minister under the most pressure.

This poll was conducted among Leinster House insiders including TDs, Senators, political advisors, journalists and former Oireachtas members.

The Housing Minister was voted the worst performing Minister since the Government was formed with 57% of respondents picking James Browne.

The polling was conducted before NAMA boss Brendan McDonagh ruled himself out of the running to be the CEO of the new Housing Activation Office after being the preferred option of Minister Browne.

87% of respondents said housing is one of the three biggest issues coming up with constituents.

While 35% think housing will be the biggest issue to dominate the Dáil agenda before the summer recess.

Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan was voted the best performing Minister with 29% of the vote - followed by Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill on 22%.

When insiders were asked to name the TD most likely to be Taoiseach in the future (when Micheál Martin, Simon Harris and Mary Lou McDonald were excluded) the Health Minister came out on top - with 35% thinking Jennifer Carroll MacNeill could lead the country one day.

Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers took 20% of the vote in that question with 12.5% for Jim O’Callaghan.

The current Fine Gael leader Simon Harris has less positive news from this poll. 61% of respondents think he’s the party leader under the most pressure after 100 days with 51% saying Fine Gael is the party under the most pressure.

One in four respondents thought the leader and party under most pressure were Mary Lou McDonald (27%) and Sinn Fein (27%).

But McDonald also attracted 24% of the vote when people were asked to name the best performing party leaders.

Micheál Martin headed the field there with 41% saying he was the most impressive leader so far this term.

32% think Sinn Fein has been the strongest performing party in this Dáil just ahead of Fianna Fáil at 29% with Fine Gael on 7%.

19 different TDs got a vote when respondents were asked to name the most impressive new TD - with Labour’s Conor Sheehan coming out marginally on top at 10%. Rory Hearne, Sinead Gibney, Ken O’Flynn and Barry Ward followed at 7%

Barry Ward was voted the backbencher most likely to be a Minister in the future at 12.5% followed by James Geoghegan at 10%. Fianna Fáil’s Albert Dolan and Shane Moynihan took 7.5% each.

Paschal Donohoe was named most impressive TD overall at 12.5% of the vote in a field that attracted submissions for 24 separate deputies - highlighting perhaps that there have been no single standout performers this term in the absence of Oireachtas committees.

There was a clear outcome when insiders were asked to name the current coalition TD who is least likely to last the five years as a member of the Government - 72% said independent Barry Heneghan followed by Danny Healy Rae on 13%

When asked to name the top three issues coming back to them from constituents 87% of respondents said housing - with special needs education coming up for 33% and healthcare for 31%

But just 35% think housing will be the biggest issue of controversy for the Government between now and the summer recess - with 20% saying Trump and his tariffs and 15% citing the triple lock or neutrality.

And finally Mairead McGuinness was voted most likely to be the next President at 23%. 

Frances Black took 10% and Catherine Connolly 8%.

18% of respondents said they had no idea who would next hold the Aras.