SINN FÉIN IS hot on the heels of Fine Gael in a new opinion poll, with places the opposition party just 1% behind the main coalition partner.

The latest Sunday Independent/Millward Brown poll puts Fine Gael at 25% (down 4) and Sinn Féin at 24% (up 4).

When ‘don’t knows’ are included, the two parties are neck-and-neck at 17%. In a previous poll, Sinn Féin were six points ahead.

Others are also performing strongly at 23% (up two), although no breakdown is provided, while the Green Party falls back from 2% to 1%.

There’s a promising result for the lagging Labour party in this poll, as the change in leadership is seemingly already having an effect.

The party’s support is up one-point to 8%, while party leader Joan Burton is enjoying a surge in approval compared to her predecessor Eamon Gilmore.

Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

In the previous survey in April, 69% were dissatisfied with Gilmore as leader while just 16% were satisfied.

Burton’s approval rating has now jumped to 27%, putting her on par with Taoiseach Enda Kenny (unchanged) and Fianna Fáil leader Michael Martin (up one).

There’s bad news for Sinn Féin on this front – Gerry Adams‘ slow decline in popularity since Feburary has continued, he’s now at 25% (down one).

The majority of voters (53%) believe that Burton will now change the government’s austerity policies, while 52% believe Labour should pull out of government if austerity is not relaxed.

So, to recap:

• Fine Gael – 25% (down four)
• Labour – 7% (up one)
• Fianna Fáil – 20% (down two)
• Sinn Féin – 24% (up four)
• Green Party – 1% (down one)
• Others – 23% (up two)

All figures are with ‘dont knows’ excluded. When included, they make up 31% of the poll.

But now, on to more important* matters – who’s to blame for the Garth Brooks debacle?

AP Photo / Mark Humphrey AP Photo / Mark Humphrey / Mark Humphrey

This was also put to the public in the Sunday Independent/Millward Brown survey.

It’s an even split between Aiken Promotions and Dublin’s city manager Owen Keegan, with 17% of people saying that they are most to blame.

The country-western signer himself came under fire from 15%, while 14% believe that local residents are most to blame, and 11% the GAA.

The nuclear option was taken by 7%, who think they’re all to blame.

*Joke. Joke!

Read: Labour drops to just 4 per cent in latest poll >

More: Sinn Féin is now the most popular party in the State >