FINE GAEL IS now the most popular party in the country, according to a new Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks poll.

Meanwhile, support for Fianna Fáil increased marginally to 17%.

The Social Democrats’ support remains unchanged since last month’s poll, sitting at 12%.

Support for Aontú, the Labour Party, the Green Party, and People Before Profit-Solidarity is also unchanged, at 6%, 3%, 3%, and 2% respectively.

Support for Independents grew to 11%. 

The margin of error for the poll was +/-2.8%.

It was carried out on Friday, 3 July, when a sample of the public were asked a number of questions about parties, their leaders and legislation.

Holly Cairns has the highest approval rating of all major party leaders Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Holly Cairns of the Social Democrats remains the most popular leader in the country, with a 40% approval rating.

Micheál Martin and Simon Harris are still on 35% and 33% respectively. Mary Lou McDonald’s approval rating has fallen one point to 30%, and Labour leader Ivana Bacik’s personal support has fallen two points to 28%.

On who should replace Martin if he bows out (or is forced to), justice minister Jim O’Callaghan was the favourite among those polled.

Asked whether drugs for personal use should be decriminalised, as per a recent Oireachtas committee recommendation, the majority (57%) of those polled said they shouldn’t.

Some 34% supported the recommendation, and 9% said they didn’t know.