Leo Varadkar’s party is down by five points.
Fine Gael has seen a major downturn in support from the public according to figures released via two new opinion polls.
A Sunday Business Post/Red C poll has Fine Gael on 28%, down five points from the last poll, marking the party’s lowest Red C rating since November of 2017.
Reaction to the National Broadband plan is cited as a key reason for the plummet, as Taoiseach Leo Varadkar continues to field questions over the €3 million project.
Speaking to the Sunday Business Post, Red C Research chief executive Richard Colwell said that the figures “may not be so positive for the party” in line with upcoming local council elections.
That poll puts Fianna Fáil up by one point to 24%, while highlighting a “very strong showing” for the Green Party, who rise by four points to 7%.
Elsewhere, Sinn Féin’s support drops down by one point to 13%, Independent candidates are down by two points to 14% overall, while Labour and Social Democrats are unchanged on 5% and 2%, respectively.
The survey was conducted using a random sample of 2,000 adults aged over 18 via telephone and online between 6 and 16 May.
SBP/Red C Poll
Fine Gael – 28%
Fianna Fáil – 24%
Independents – 14%
Sinn Féin – 13%
Green Party – 7%
Labour – 5%
Independent Alliance – 2%
Solidarity/People Before Profit – 2%
Social Democrats – 2%
Aontú – 2%
Renua – 1%
An hour after the above poll arrived on Saturday evening (18 May), a second poll confirmed the dramatic drop for Fine Gael.
Conducted between 2 and 14 May, the Sunday Times/Behaviour & Attitudes poll also places Fine Gael on 28%, neck and neck with Fianna Fáil on the same number.
Once again, the Green Party has enjoyed a surge in support, and it’s better reading for Sinn Féin, who register at 19% by contrast.
Sunday Times/Behaviour & Attitudes Poll
Fine Gael – 28%
Fianna Fáil – 28%
Sinn Féin – 19%
Green Party – 5%
Labour – 4%
Independent Alliance – 3%
Solidarity/People Before Profit – 3%
Social Democrats – 1%
Independents/Others – 9%
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