Mary Lou McDonald and Micheál Martin Rollingnews.ie Rollingnews.ie

A NEW OPINION poll has ranked the popularity of Mary Lou McDonald ahead of that of Fianna Fáil’s Micheál Martin.

The poll, compiled by Kantar Millward Brown for the Sunday Independent rates the Sinn Féin leader ahead of Martin, the first time a Sinn Féin leader has been so ranked in three years.

Satisfaction with McDonald is shown at 46%, an increase of seven points since the last time the same poll was taken in February.

Martin’s popularity levels, meanwhile, are currently at 44%, down four points, perhaps a reflection of the divided nature of Fianna Fáil ahead of the coming referendum on the Eighth Amendment.

In voicing his intention to vote to repeal the amendment, Martin has revealed himself to be at odds with many of his party TDs (including deputy leader Dara Calleary). Fianna Fáil, in contrast to Sinn Féin, will allow a free vote for its members in the referendum.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s approval ratings stand at 56%, down two points. Labour’s Brendan Howlin has taken something of a bump – his rating is up four points from 22% to 26%.

As for the polling of political parties – Fine Gael’s support stands at 34%, down two points.

Fianna Fáil’s support is at 27% (down one), five points ahead of Sinn Féin on 22% (up 2%).

Labour is at 5% (up one), the Independent Alliance also at 5% (up two), the Green Party is at 3% (up one), Solidarity/People Before Profit stands at 1% (unchanged), and the remaining independent TDs are at 2% (down four).

The Social Democrats are polling at zero, down one point, according to the poll.