Polls show gains for Independents, declines for all parties
New opinion polls to be published tomorrow show a decline in support for all political parties with Independent candidates gaining traction among voters ahead of the general election.
The polls also indicate that no significant 'bounce' in Fianna Fáil support has resulted from the election of Micheál Martin as party leader.
A Red C poll for the Sunday Business Post puts support for Fianna Fáil at 16%, down one percentage point on the previous poll and making them the third-largest party.
However the main Opposition parties also saw their support slipping, with Fine Gael down one point to 33% and Labour slipping two points to 21%.
Support for Sinn Féin declined one point to 13%, while Independents were up five points to 15%.
The poll was taken among over 1,000 voters nationwide last Wednesday and Thursday evening, and so takes account of the change of leadership in Fianna Fáil, Sunday Business Post Political Editor Pat Leahy said.
Voters were also asked who would make the best Taoiseach: some 31% opted for new Fianna Fáil leader Martin, 26% said Labour leader Eamon Gilmore and just 19% favoured Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny.
Meanwhile a second poll - a MillwardBrown survey for the Sunday Independent - shows Fine Gael on 34% support, up four points on a previous poll in September. This poll also puts Fianna Fáil at 16% (down six points); Labour on 24% (down 11 points) and the Greens on 1% (down one point).
Sinn Féin goes up six points to 10%, with Independents up seven points to 15%.
Dissatisfaction with the Government is at an all time high of 95%, according to this poll.
