THE Republic's first opinion poll since the general election campaign officially got underway, shows a slippage in support for Fine Gael and Sinn Féin.
Voters in the south will go to the polls in three weeks time on Friday February 26, with Enda Kenny's party clear favourites to secure most seats.
But the results of an Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI opinion poll shows support for Fine Gael is down two points to 28 per cent on the previous survey in November.
Fianna Fáil has seen a two point increase to 21 per cent, while support for Sinn Féin is down two points to 19 per cent. Fine Gael's coalition partner Labour remains unchanged at seven per cent, with independents and others on 25 per cent, up two.
The survey was conducted earlier this week and reflects a combined level of support for Fine Gael and Labour which falls well short of that required to be sure of winning a second successive term in office.
The margin of error for survey, which quizzed a representative sample of 1,200 voters aged 18 and over in face-to-face interviews at 100 sampling points in all constituencies, is put at plus or minus 2.8 per cent.
The new Dáil is due to meet on Thursday March 10.
:: Paddy Power Odds to gain most seats:
Fine Gael 1/50
Fianna Fail 8/1
Sinn Fein 33/1
Labour 100/1
Renua 125/1
Green 500/1
