Year's first poll shows increase in support for government parties

There has been an increase in support for the government parties, according to the first opinion poll of the New Year.

The Red C poll for Paddy Power shows Fine Gael support rising three points to 24%, while Labour are up two points to 8%.

Both Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin lose ground, with Sinn Féin down 3% to 21%, while Fianna Fáil are down 1% to 18% - the same score they have recorded in six of the last seven Red C polls.

Independents and others are down 2% (to 26%), while Lucinda Creighton's new as-yet unnamed political party using the 'Reboot Ireland' tag scores 1%.

When quizzed separately, 6% of respondents suggested they may give the party a first preference vote in an election based on what they have heard so far.

It is the first poll top include the new party, due for its official launch within two months.

In a statement, Paddy Power said: "There are strong topline indications of support for an alliance of Independent candidates including Shane Ross and Michael Fitzmaurice, with 12% of voters suggesting they would definitely vote for this approach if candidates were available to them."

The great majority - 80% - of those who expressed a preference supported a referendum for same-sex marriage. "With low levels of undecided voters this looks secure," said Paddy Power.

"However, previous work has shown that the electorate only really engage closer to the referendum and the result could still be closer than the current polls suggest."

The poll was conducted over the past two days after urther bad publicity for the coalition with the trolley crisis centre stage last week.