FINE GAEL’S SUPPORT has slumped and is now eight percentage points behind Fianna Fáil, heaping pressure on Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

That’s according a new poll published in today’s Sunday Independent which found that Fine Gael’s support has dipped by four points since October and now stand at 25%.

In that same period, Fianna Fáil’s support has climbed by six points to 33%.

Sinn Féin’s support has remained steady at 20% with Labour falling by two points to 6%.

Support for Anti-Austerity Alliance/People Before profit has grown by a point to 3% while support for the Independent Alliance held steady at 5%.

Independents dipped two points to 4% while the Social Democrats ands the Green Party both sit on 2%.

In a further blow to the Taoiseach’s position, the poll found that 62% of people were dissatisfied with his performance compared to 27% who were satisfied.

In a head-to-head choice, the poll also canvassed support for the two favourites to succeed Kenny, Leo Varadkar and Simon Coveney.

Varadkar came out on top with 27% compared to Coveney’s 23%, although 24% of people responded either ‘somebody else’ or ‘neither’.

Significantly perhaps, Varadkar’s lead is wider among Fine Gael supporters who back him over Coveney by 37% to 28%.

The poll in question surveyed a sample of 960 people between 6-16 February.

Read: ‘Distracting and destabilising’: Leo Varadkar says ‘everyone is waiting’ on a decision from Enda >

Read: Alan Farrell has become the first Fine Gael TD to say he has no confidence in Enda Kenny >