Sinn Fein remains Ireland’s most popular party despite drop, poll suggests

Support for Sinn Fein has dropped three percentage point but remains far ahead of rival parties, a new poll has indicated.

The latest Irish Business Post/Red C poll has support for Sinn Fein at 29% – down from 32% last month – but well ahead of Fine Gael on 20% and Fianna Fail on 16%.

The poll also records an increase in support for independents by one percentage point to 13%.

The next Irish general election is set to be held in 2025, however, speculation is mounting it could be called in 2024.

The current Government is a coalition involving Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and the Green Party.

The new poll has recorded a drop in, albeit high, support for Sinn Fein from 36% in the middle of last year to 32% last month and 29% this month.

Fine Gael’s support is described as remaining unchanged on 20% last month and this month, while Fianna Fail is up one point to 16% this month.

In terms of the smaller parties, the Social Democrats are on 6%, the Labour Party has dropped one point to 4% while the Green Party remain unchanged on 4%.

People Before Profit-Solidarity remain on 3% and Aontu on 2%, with poll respondents saying they would vote for “other parties” increased by two points to 3% while 10% said they were undecided.

In terms of an early general election being called next year, more people (47%) said they would prefer to see a general election held at some point in 2024 than in 2025.

Some 29% said they would prefer for the Government to run its full term to 2025, while 20% were neutral on the matter.

The poll was carried out between November 17 and November 22.