Eamonn Farrell Eamonn Farrell

FIANNA FÁIL REMAINS the country’s most popular party despite a fall in approval numbers according to the latest opinion poll.

The poll, conducted by Red C research for the Sunday Business Post, sees Fianna Fáil’s approval ratings standing at 27%, down two percentage points from the 29% seen in the most recent poll taken in July.

Fine Gael’s popularity stands at 25%, down one point, while Sinn Féin’s numbers have improved by two points to 15%.

Elsewhere, independent TDs have moved up three points to 10%, Labour is up one point to 7% popularity, the Anti Austerity Alliance / People Before Profit moves up one point to 6%, and the Social Democrats remains unchanged at 4%.

The main losers in the poll, other than Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, are the Independent Alliance (down 1% to 4%) and the Green Party (down two points to 2%).

The poll is the first taken since a number of controversies involving the Independent Alliance took form, including its ministers voting against the government in August’s Dáil vote regarding an abortion referendum, and Waterford TD John Halligan recently  being at loggerheads with his cabinet colleagues regarding the provision of cardiac services at Waterford University Hospital.

Read: Pictures: Thousands throng Dublin city centre for pro choice rally

Read: Body recovered from sea by Doolin Coast Guard

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