Updated at midday.
THE FIRST OPINION Poll of 2015 is here.
There’s good news for the Government— and for the first time, Lucinda Creighton’s as-yet-untitled political grouping makes an appearance. The Paddy Power/Red C survey was carried out on behalf of RTÉ’s Sean O’Rourke programme.
Here’s how it’s looking…
Fine Gael‘s showing of 24 per cent is an improvement of three points on the last comparable Red C poll, carried out for the Sunday Business Post in December.
Labour, on 8 per cent, are up two percentage points.
In terms of the opposition parties, Fianna Fáil are on 18 per cent — down one point from the last Red C poll. Sinn Féin, on 21, are down three.
28 per cent of voters would support Independents or others, according to this latest poll, and the Greens are on one per cent.
The Lucinda question
One per cent of voters said they would vote for Creighton’s new grouping, if an election were held tomorrow (that result is included in that 28 per cent for independents/others).
However, in answers to a separate question on the new ‘Reboot Ireland’ project, six per cent of voters suggested they might give them a first preference, based on what they have heard so far.
Respondents were also asked about the mooted alliance of independents being put together by Shane Ross and Michael Fitzmaurice, with 12 per cent of voters suggesting they would definitely give the group a ‘number 1′ if a candidate was available in their area.
Gerry Adams is the main mover in terms of satisfaction with the main party leaders — but the Sinn Féin TD’s numbers aren’t moving in the right direction for the party: Adams, on 27 per cent, has seen his personal support drop seven points since June of last year.
Elsewhere, there’s a slight drop for Enda Kenny — down two points in the past six months. Michéal Martin, on 31 per cent, is also down two, while Joan Burton makes her first appearance in the category, and is on 33 per cent.
In the section where people were asked about possible new parties or alliances, 8 per cent said they would give a coalition of Socialist and left-wing parties a first preference in the next General Election.
Just 15 per cent said they would give a number one to a Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael combination, if the two Civil War parties managed to put their issues aside and enter an agreement.
Same-sex marriage
Elsewhere, there appears to be broad backing for a ‘yes’ vote in the upcoming Marriage Equality referendum, ahead of the May vote.
76 per cent said they would be in favour of same-sex marriage, with strong support among all groups of voters, and across social grades.
The poll was conducted by phone among 1,002 voters between Monday and Tuesday of this week. Landline and mobile customers were contacted, according to Red C.
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