New opinion poll shows increase in support for Coalition

A new opinion poll has shown both Government parties have increased their support, with Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Joan Burton the most popular party leaders.

It also shows overwhelming support for same-sex marriage, with 80 per cent in favour and 20 per cent against once undecided voters are excluded.

The poll by RED C for bookmakers Paddy Power has Fine Gael on 24 per cent, up three from the last comparable poll, Labour up two to 8 per cent, Fianna Fáil down one to 18 per cent, with Sinn Féin down 3 per cent to 21 per cent.

The poll, also carried out for RTE Radio, asked how many people would vote for Lucinda Creighton’s new party. Only 1 per cent said they would back Ms Creighton’s party, while Independents and others remain unchanged at 28 per cent, suggesting the former Fine Gael minister has yet to tap into the dissatisfaction with the current parties.

A prospective alliance between Shane Ross proved more popular. Asked about attitudes towards new alliances or parties, six per cent said they would give Ms Creighton's party a first preference, while 12 per cent said they would give the Ross/Fitzmaurice a number one.

A further 27 per cent said they might give Ms Creighton a lower preference with the corresponding figure for Ross/Fitzmaurice coming in at 29 per cent.

Mr Kenny's approval ratings are at 35 per cent, Ms Burton is on 33 per cent while Sinn Féin's Gerry Adams is on 27 per cent - a seven point drop since last June - and Michéal Martin is on 31 per cent.

Most Fine Gael supporters (37 per cent) would prefer Labour as Coalition partners after the next election, with 27 per cent supporting a partnership with Fianna Fáil.

Among Fianna Fáil voters, 17 per cent prefer Labour as partners but most, 29 per cent, choose Fine Gael. An equal number, 16 per cent, would like to share power with either Sinn Féin or Independents.

Sinn Féin supporters prefer an alliance with Independents, with 26 per cent backing that option, closely followed by 23 per cent who chose a potential Coalition with Fianna Fáil.

On other alliances, eight per cent said they would give a left wing group a first preference, with a further 25 per cent saying they would give such an alliance a lower vote.

Fifteen per cent would give a Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael alliance a number one, with 22 per cent saying they would give an FF-FG partnership a lower preference.

Asked if they would like to see a character like Charles Haughey as Taoiseach, only 15 per cent said they would.