The Gap Narrows In The Race For Control Of Leinster House

Two new polls have both shown a rise in support for Fine Gael and a drop for Fianna Fáil.

The Sunday Business Post’s Red C poll shows Fianna Fáil down one point to 35%, with Fine Gael up four to 27%. Labour are down one to 11%, the PDs unchanged at 3%, the Greens up one to 9%, Sinn Féin is down two to 8%.

Meanwhile, a Millward Brown IMS poll in the Sindo shows Bertie Ahern’s party at 38%, down one percentage point since January, while Enda Kenny’s party has risen one percentage point to 23%. Fine Gael’s possible coalition partner Labour’s support is unchanged at 12%, while current government partners the Progressive Democrats have slipped one to 4%. The Greens have risen one point to 6%, while Sinn Féin are also up one to 8%.

Of course, the only real poll is the one which is just around the corner- the general election. Add to that the intricacies of proportional representation, plus the undoubted inter-party wheeling and dealing which will take place once the results have been announced, and it becomes clear that the make-up of the incoming government is far from obvious.