Opposition 'not concerned' about rise in support for FF

Opposition parties say they are not concerned about a rise in support for Fianna Fáil.

The party is up four points to 27% in the first Red C poll for the Sunday Business Post since the Budget.

Fine Gael, despite a drop of two points, is still out in front on 34%. Labour is unchanged at 17%, with the Greens staying on 5%. Sinn Féin is down two points to 8%; Independents and others are unchanged at 9%.

Newly elected Fine Gael councillor in Greystones, Co Wicklow Simon Harris said: "We've gained seats in every election under Enda Kenny's leadership. There's no reason for anyone to be concerned about Fine Gael in this poll..We're actually a point higher (than in the same poll last year)."

Labour Senator Ivana Bacik said: "The reality is that the combined support for Fine Gael and Labour is still so strong that if there were an election today or tomorrow, they would form the next Government."

Political commentators say it is too early to tell whether this is the beginning of a recovery for Fianna Fáil from its record low ratings.

Fianna Fáil's former Mayor of Dublin Eibhlin Byrne says the performance of Finance Minister Brian Lenihan "and his control of the economy at the moment" has helped the party.