FG increase lead in new opinion poll

Fianna Fáil is on course for major losses in the upcoming elections, according to a new opinion poll published this morning, which puts the party 17 points behind Fine Gael.

The TNS-mrbi poll for the Irish Times puts support for the main Government party at just 21%, down one point from the previous survey.

Fine Gael's support is up six points to 38%, while Labour has seen its share of the poll fall four points to 20%.

The Greens are down one point to 3%, with Sinn Féin unchanged on 9%.

A massive 86% of respondents said they were dissatisfied with the Government, including 93% of Green Party supporters and 63% of Fianna Fáil supporters.

Elsewhere, Labour's Eamon Gilmore is the most popular party leader with a 51% satisfaction rating.

Fine Gael's Enda Kenny has a rating of just 33%, while Brian Cowen is propping up the list on 18%.