Sinn Féin has emerged as the most popular party in the country according to a new opinion poll released this morning.
The party received 26% in the new Irish Times/Ipsos poll which also showed that voters are less than enthusiastic about the new government.
The poll is the first since the new cabinet formed, and while favourable for Sinn Féin, things are not so good for the coalition government where Sinn Féin has risen 6 points to 26%, the party of Tainiste, Simon Harris, Fine Gael has fallen 3 points to 16%: it’s lowest showing since 1994.
Fianna Fáil, the party of Taoiseach Micheál Martin stands at 22%, while the Social Democrats are at 7%, with Labour behind this at 5%.
Other/ Independents stood firm at 17%, the Green Party is down 1 point to 3%, People Before Profit stood still at 3%, while Aontú’s approval rating is down 2 points to 1%,
Martin is the most popular politician enjoying a 45% satisfaction rate, followed by Harris who scored 42% (3 points lower than previous polling).
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has gained 6 points in satisfaction rating, and now enjoys a 37%.
Over half of voters, 51%, said they are dissatisfied with the current government.
The Coalition was wrong to make agreements with Independent TD Michael Lowry, according to 64% of the electorate, with 39% saying they were satisfied with the government.