First poll of 2012 sees Govt support holding steady

The latest political opinion poll shows support for the Government holding up despite last month's tough budget and growing opposition to the household charge.

Fine Gael is still the largest party with 33% support according to the Red C poll conducted for Paddy Power.

However that level is 3% below that achieved in the general election,

Labour is on 16%, up slightly on the last Red C poll in December, but the party is in third place behind Fianna Fáil which is on 17%.

Support for Sinn Féin has slipped back to 14% with Independents and Others on 17%, according to the poll.

The telephone poll was conducted between January 9 and 11 among a sample of 1009 adults aged over 18.