Sam Boal / Photocall Ireland Sam Boal / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

THE LATEST RED C poll won’t be happy reading for Labour or Fine Gael – it shows a drop in support for both parties.

But Sinn Fein and Fianna Fáil will both be relieved, as they’ve seen a boost in support.

The Red C/Sunday Business Post released today shows:

• Fine Gael 21 (-1)
• Labour 6 (-2)
• Fianna Fail 19 (+1)
• Sinn Féin 24 (+2)
• Independents/others 30 (no change)

A Sunday Independent/Millward Brown poll, however, says that Sinn Féin’s popularity has dropped five points to 21%.

In addition, its leader Gerry Adams’ rating dropped four points to 23%.

Almost a third of people who gave their views in this poll said they will vote for an alternative to the established political parties at the next General Election.

Support for Independents is up in this poll by nine points; support for Fine Gael is unchanged (22%) and Fianna Fáil dropped two points to 18%.

Labour party’s support is at just 5% in the Millward Brown poll.

Just one in five people told this poll that they are happy with how the Coalition are running the country.

A third poll, run by the Sunday Times, showed that:

• Fine Gael 24% (-1)
• Fianna Fail 18% (no change)
• Sinn Féin 22% (+3)
• Labour 5% (-4)
• Greens 1% (-2)
• Independents 29% (+4)

First published 20 December 2014 at 19.45pm

Read: Fine Gael wants to set the election agenda by hammering Sinn Féin… and ignoring Fianna Fáil>