Poll suggests Fine Gael is most popular party ahead of election

Fine Gael has a clear lead over other parties two weeks out from the General Election, a new poll has suggested.

A new Irish Times/Ipsos B&A poll puts Simon Harris’s party on 25% support, ahead of both Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein on 19%.

The poll also suggests a surge in support for independent candidates, who have received 20% support.

This includes support for the new Independent Ireland party.

Labour is on 5%, the Social Democrats on 4%, the Green Party on 3%, Aontu on 3% and People Before Profit Solidarity on 2%.

The poll indicates that Mr Harris is the most popular party leader with a satisfaction rating of 50%, ahead of Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin on 45% and Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald on 31%.

Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman has a satisfaction rating of 21%.

When asked what issue would have most influence on their vote, 30% of respondents said the cost of living.

Health was next on the list with 18%, followed by house prices (17%), immigration (9%) and the economy (6%).

The poll was conducted among a representative sample of adults aged 18 years and upwards across 120 sampling points throughout all constituencies.

It was conducted through face-to-face sampling with personal in-home interviewing taking place on November 12 and 13 with 1,200 interviews conducted.

The accuracy is estimated at plus or minus 2.8%.