OVER THREE QUARTERS of Irish people want Michael D Higgins to stay on as president for a second term, according to the results of a new survey.

An Ireland Thinks/ Irish Daily Mail survey found that 76% of people said they wanted Higgins to serve a second term as president.

Higgins came to office following the 2011 presidential election.

During that race, he promised to only stand for a single seven-year term. However, since being elected, the president has refused to rule out the possibility of a second run for Áras an Uachtaráin.

Last week, the president said he “is not ruling out” running for a second term next year.

The former Labour Party TD and arts minister has been popular with the electorate during his time in office.

A presidential election is due to be held in October 2018. If no-one contests the election, Higgins could be given a free run at a second term.

However, there have been rumblings potential candidates who may wish to challenge President Higgins.

These include independent senator Gerard Craughwell, who said he was considering running in order to ensure there would be an election held.

The Ireland Thinks survey interviewed a random sample of 1,105 people over the age of 18 over the course of a week earlier this month.

Political poll

The survey also examined the state of play within the political parties.

Fine Gael remained on top with 32% support, with Fianna Fáil close behind on 29%.

Sinn Féin were in third place, dropping 2 points to 14%.

The full list of support for the parties is below:

• Fine Gael 32% (+1)
• Fianna Fail 29% (+3)
• Sinn Féin 14% (-2)
• Labour 5% (-2)
• Green Party 3% (-1)
• Social Democrats 2% (no change)
• Solidarity-PBP 2% (no change)
• Independents/Others 12% (+1)

Read: Fine Gael has jumped in the latest opinion poll to its highest level since the election

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