Fine Gael most popular party in the country, according to latest poll

One-in-five people believe Mary Lou McDonald will be the next Taoiseach, though almost half believe Simon Harris will remain in the job

Taoiseach Simon Harris is the favourite to be in the top job after the next election. File Picture.

Fine Gael remains the most popular party in Ireland as Sinn Féin sits in third place, according to the latest poll.

The latest Ireland Thinks poll for the Sunday Independent shows that Fine Gael has retained its lead, staying static at 24%.

Fianna Fáil is the second most popular party in the country, with Tánaiste Micheál Martin’s party also standing still on 20%.

While Sinn Féin has seen a slight increase in support, with a one-point boost, the party remains behind the two coalition parties on 19%.

There has also been a slight decrease in support for independent candidates, with their support falling back to 18%, down two points from their previous high of 20%.

Both the Social Democrats and the Labour Party have seen a slight boost in support, with the two parties increasing by one point to 5% and 4% respectively.

The junior coalition partner, the Green Party, is also remaining in a static position under their new leader Roderic O’Gorman, with the party still at 4%.

Aontú is also unchanged at 4%, while Solidarity People Before Profit has fallen by one point to 2%.

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The poll also sought people’s opinions on who would be the next Taoiseach after the general election, with incumbent Simon Harris becoming the favourite at 48%. Meanwhile, 20% of respondents believe that Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald would be the next Taoiseach, compared to 17% believing it will be Micheál Martin.

The latest poll also details that Mr Harris remains the most popular party leader.

It also outlines that the public believe the most likely outcome following the next general election is for a coalition of Fine Gael, Finna Fáil and Independent TDs, at 63%.