Figures indicate Fine Gael may need Fianna Fail to form coalition

The Coalition may need to include Fianna Fáil or depend on its qualified support to form a post-election minority government, after the latest opinion poll claimed Fine Gael and its long-time rival hold 50% of the vote with Labour continuing to haemorrhage support.

Tánaiste Joan Burton

The first detailed test of the public’s views since the give-away Budget 2016 announcements earlier this month shows that while Fine Gael has gained 2% since the plans were revealed and now stands at 30%, Labour has failed to gain a post-budget bounce, falling 3% to 7%.

Fianna Fáil has gained 2% to 20%, Sinn Féin is static on 16% and Independents/others — compromising of Independents on 22%, Renua on 2%, the Greens on 2%, the Anti-Austerity Alliance/ People before Profit on 1% and others on 1% — falling 1% to 27%. Independent analysts suggest the Red C poll figures, if broken down by seats, mean Fine Gael is on course to win 63, Labour two, Fianna Fáil 33, Sinn Féin 22 and Independents/others 38.