IF A GENERAL Election was held today, the preferred coalition among the electorate would be a Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin pairing, according to the latest MillwardBrown poll for the Sunday Independent.

With 10 per cent support, the partnership leads the scoreboard, one point ahead of current administration Fine Gael and Labour.

However, 22 per cent says they would choose none of the options, which also included Fianna Fáil and Independents and Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.

Party leader Micheál Martin is expected to rule out any possible coalition with Fine Gael during a speech in Cork later today.

Popularity contest

Fine Gael remains on top in terms of individual popularity but with 27 per cent backing, it has dropped two points since the last poll.

Fianna Fáil support is also down by three points to 25 per cent, while Labour remains at 8 per cent. There was another climb for Sinn Féin which is up 2 points to 21 per cent.

Independents also jumped in popularity by 3 per cent to 18 per cent.

Despite Fine Gael’s continued turn at the top of the popularity stakes, dissatisfaction at government is up to 72 per cent with Enda Kenny’s satisfaction rate down to 24 per cent in late-August.

Martin remains the country’s most popular leader with a 28 per cent satisfaction rating.

Looking within the Fine Gael ranks, Simon Coveney is the favourite to become Taoiseach if Kenny ends up with a bigger job in the European Union.

Poll: Would you welcome a Fine Gael/Fianna Fáil coalition?