Fine Gael and Sinn FÉin Remain Strong in Polls

Government Parties have seen a drop in the recent Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll, however the main coalition party Fine Gael remain on a high 33%. Sinn Féin have become the second most popular party with 21%.

The poll shows no signs of Fianna Fáil returning to their 2007 levels, they remain low at 14% a drop of 3% from the General Election 2011. Independent and Others remain high with 19% a 2% increase from the General Election. Labour are in the worst position, as the minor party in the government they are seeing their support drop dramatically from being the 2nd most popular party with 19% of the General Election Vote to becoming the 4th most popular political party, behind Fianna Fáil.

Unlike other junior parties in a coalition government Labour have a much stronger position with 34 TDs supporting the government, unlike the now defunct PDs who had just 8 TDs in the 2002 government and The Green Party who had just 6 TDs in the 2007 government.

All party leaders have seen their support drop in this latest poll. Satisfaction levels for Taoiseach Enda Kenny is at 42%, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore is at 27% but opposition leaders Michéal Martin and Gerry Adam have also seen satisfaction levels drop with 24% and 29% satisfaction ratings respectively.