Fine Gael is one percentage point behind Sinn Féin, according to the latest polling, with support for Mary Lou McDonald’s party falling by four points over the past month.
With less than a fortnight to go before European Parliament and local government elections in the Republic, Sinn Féin still leads the field but on a reduced 23% vote share.
The Red C poll for the Business Post puts Fine Gael support at 22%, up by two percentage points from last month, and up by four points since Simon Harris became leader on April 9, following the surprise resignation of Leo Varadkar.
Support for Fianna Fáil stands at 15% and support for independent candidates at 19%.
The survey gives the Social Democrats a 5% vote share, with the Green Party and Labour both on 4%, and People Before Profit-Solidarity and Aontu level on 3%.
The poll was conducted between May 17-22 and is based on interviews with a random sample of 1,021 adults online.
It indicates that support for Sinn Féin has dropped from 36% in two years and is at its lowest level since before the 2020 general election.
A decline in the party’s support coincides with increased focus on immigration as an electoral issue.
Backing for Sinn Féin among those aged 18-34 has fallen by seven points to 27% in the space of a month and 12 points since October.
The Republic’s next Dáil election must take place before March next year.
