Is the race heating up? In a word: no.
The latest Sunday Business Red C poll conducted between Thursday 11 October up to Wednesday 17 October has shown that President Michael D. Higgins has maintained a very commanding lead over his five opponents.
The poll, which surveyed 1000 people, showed that support for Michael D. Higgins remained very strong at 68% — significantly more than the support for all other five candidates combined.
Sean Gallagher remains in second place, but his share of the vote has fallen slightly to 12%, and Sinn Féin MEP Liadh Ní Riada's has climbed to 9%.
Senator Joan Freeman is in fourth spot with support of 6%, and Gavin Duffy trails her on 3%. Peter Casey, who suspended his campaign this weekend following a torrid week in which he made widely criticised comments about the Travelling community, is rooted to the bottom, on 2%.
One important caveat is that the poll was conducted before the first televised debate to include all candidates, and it is possible that opinions have changed somewhat since then.
The Irish people will go to the polls this Friday 26 October to vote on the next president.
