FINE Gael's popularity has increased in the first significant poll since the Republic's new government was formed - while its Fianna Fáil partners have dipped.
Leo Varadkar's party received 38 per cent in a survey of voting intentions for the Irish Mail on Sunday conducted by Ireland Thinks.
The figure is up four points from last month and almost double what it polled in February's general election.
Sinn Féin was down one point to 26 per cent, while Fianna Fáil also dropped one to 12 per cent.
However the results will be concerning for taoiseach Micheál Martin's party as the drop is down 10 points on how it fared when voters went to the polls earlier this year.
The Green Party fell by three points to five per cent, and Labour was unchanged on four per cent.
The poll was conducted on Friday and Saturday last week.
Tánaiste Mr Varadkar was the most popular party leader, with an approval rating 6.2 out of 10.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald was the second place with 4.3.
Despite being newly appointed there appears to be no honeymoon for new taoiseach Micheál Martin who trailed with 4.1.
Labour's Alan Kelly was on 4.0 while Green Party leader Eamon Ryan received 3.4.
Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Greens formed a three-way coalition last month following agreement on a joint programme for government.
