Sinn Féin extends its lead in Republic’s latest opinion poll

Posted By: December 11, 2021

LIZ TRAINOR. Irish News. Belfast. Saturday, December 11, 2021.

Sinn Féin has extended its lead as the Republic’s most popular political party, according to a new opinion poll.

The latest Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI opinion poll found that support for the party rose three points since a similar poll in October.

The increase now puts Sinn Féin 15 points ahead of Fine Gael, which dropped two points to 20 and coalition partner Fianna Fáil, which remains unchanged at 20 per cent.

Support for the Green Party fell two points to five per cent, Labor remained unchanged at four per cent and the Social Democrats dropped one point to two per cent.

Solidarity-People Before Profit and Aontú polled at two per cent and one per cent respectively, both unchanged from the October poll.

Independent TDs saw their support rise to 11 per cent.

In terms of satisfaction with the government overall, support for the coalition fell three points to 43 per cent.

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar emerges as the most popular party leader, with his support rising two points to 45 percent with Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, above, just one point behind.

Taoiseach Michéal Martin gained two points and now sits at 43 per cent.

The poll also asked voters for their opinion on how the government has handled the Covid-19 pandemic.

More than half – 57 percent – said they believed the government had done a good job.