'These are not normal times': Fianna Fáil blames pandemic for poll slump

However Sinn Féin fails to capitalise on drop in support for Government parties

Perversely, while Fianna Fáil's support level has dropped, support for Taoiseach Micheál Martin has increased by three points. Picture: Julien Behal

The eight-point drop in support for the Government parties, as reflected in this week’s Ipsos/MRBI poll for the Irish Times, reflects the mounting public anger at how badly the Covid-19 pandemic is being managed at present.

But the poll also shows the lost support has not found an immediate home, reflected in a surge for independents, the traditional safehouse choice mid-term for floating voters.