SUPPORT FOR FINE Gael has slumped with just four days to go before the general election, according to a new opinion poll.

Taoiseach Simon Harris’s party now trails both Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin, according to an Irish Times/Ipsos B&A published today.

Fianna Fail leads the way on 21% – up two points since the last poll two weeks ago, while Sinn Fein has 20% – up one point.

Fine Gael is on 19% support – down six points since the 14 November poll.

The leaders of the three main parties are preparing for a televised debate on RTÉ One tomorrow night in a last-ditch attempt to woo voters.

In terms of the smaller parties, the Social Democrats are now on 6% (up two); the Greens are on 4% (up one); Labour is on 4% (down one); People Before Profit are on 3% (up one); and Aontú is on 3% (no change).

Independents (including Independent Ireland) are on 17% (down three), according to the poll. 

Undecided voters, who are excluded from the above figures, are at 19% (up three points).

Viral video

The latest poll comes following the Taoiseach’s apology over the weekend after facing criticism for his handling of an encounter with a disability care worker while canvassing in Kanturk in Co Cork on Friday.

Harris was criticised after walking away from Charlotte Fallon when she asked him about a lack of support for carers and care workers. After a public backlash, the Taoiseach called her on Saturday to apologise. 

The opinion poll was conducted among 1,200 adults from 20 to 23 November – so many people were interviewed prior to the Kanturk video going viral. The margin of error is plus or minus 2.8%.

Several incidents have put Fine Gael under pressure during the election campaign, including comments made by Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary about teachers in the first few days.

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O’Leary was criticised for saying at a Fine Gael candidate launch that he would not hire teachers to “get things done” , which drew laughs and cheers from the gathered party faithful.

There has also been a furore over whether Senator John McGahon should have been selected as a Fine Gael candidate for the Louth constituency.

McGahon was found not guilty of assaulting a man outside a Dundalk nightclub in a criminal case two years ago but a High Court civil action earlier this year found him liable, with the politician ordered to pay damages.

Contains reporting by Press Association