Independents boosted in latest poll

Support for independent candidates has surged in the latest opinion poll.

The Red C poll for the Sunday Business Post shows support for independents rising by five points - while there has been a drop in support for Labour and Sinn Féín.

The poll, taken between Monday and Wednesday of this week, shows Fine Gael support at 28% - unchanged since the last comparable poll four weeks ago.

However, junior coalition partner Labour slipped three points to 7%, losing the gains made over the last four months.

Sinn Féin also dropped, losing three points to stand at 18%. Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil gained one point to 20% - its highest result in these polls for over a year.

The Greens are on 2%, with Renua on 1% and others on 1%. It is the independent candidates who reap the greatest gains in this poll.

23% of people say they would vote independent next time around, up from 18% per cent just a month ago.