Varadkar: Latest opinion poll 'encouraging' for Government

The Health Minister says a rise in support for the Government in a new opinion poll is 'encouraging'.

The Health Minister said a rise in support for the Government in a new opinion poll is "encouraging".

Fine Gael go up five points to 24%, while Labour go up 1 to 7% in the survey for The Irish Times.

Sinn Féin also go up two points to 24%, with substantial losses for both Fianna Fáil and Independents.

Leo Varadkar said he expects support in polls to change again in the months ahead.

"I look at the opinion poll today as encouraging, in that it shows a rise in support for both Government parties, but the election is a year away and I think there'll be many ups and downs between now and then," he said.

"The important thing now is to concentrate on governing the country well, continuing to increase employment, sustaining the recovery, and - hopefully - putting a bit of money back in people's pockets."