SBP: FG riding high in polls

Fine Gael is on target for a return to Government, according to a Red C poll published in the Sunday Business Post today.

The poll shows Enda Kenny's party enjoying a historic lead over Fianna Fáil.

Fine Gael's now on 36 points - that's compared to Fianna Fáil's 23. Labour have dropped to 17 points, down 2 - with the Greens going up two to 5%. Sinn Féin is up 1 to 10, with Independents and others unchanged on 9%.

Pat Leahy, Political Editor of the Sunday Business Post said: "We don't see a great deal of movement since the figures of last month but such movement as we do see is to Fine Gael's advantage. They're up by one point to 36% today, that's the highest we've ever seen them. Fianna Fáil down by two points to 23%, that's a 13-point gap between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael and that's as big a lead as we have ever seen Enda kenny's party have."

The poll also shows the majority of voters want to see increased taxes on those earning over €100,000.

Pat Leahy said: "People say that they favour higher taxes for middle and high income earners..., even though that has been... ruled out by the Goverment; but 56% of voters who say they will support public sector pay cuts, [that's] much much higher than the relatively small numbers that would support cuts in things like child benefit, pensions and social welfare payments."