A NEW OPINION poll has just four percentage points between the three largest political parties ahead of the 8 February general election. 

The Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll was published this evening and puts Fianna Fáil on support of 25%, Fine Gael at 23% and Sinn Féin at 21%. 

The previous poll in the same series was published over three months ago and today’s poll shows a decline in support of 6 percentage points for Fine Gael since then. 

By contrast, Fianna Fáil has remained the same while Sinn Féin has climbed by 7 percentage points. 

The state of the parties – when undecided voters are excluded – is:

• Fianna Fáil – 25% (no change)
• Fine Gael – 23% (down six)
• Sinn Féin – 21% (up seven)
• Labour – 5% (down one)
• Independents/others – 18% (no change)
• Green Party – 8% (no change)
• Solidarity-PBP – 2% (up one)
• Social Democrats 2% (up one) 

The drop in support for Fine Gael is mirrored by a sharp decline in satisfaction with the government which has fallen from 42% in October to 27% now.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s personal satisfaction rating has fallen from 51% to 35%. 

The poll is based on a survey of 1,2000 eligible voters and was taken last week after the general election was called. 

It contrasts with a separate opinion poll published on Sunday by the Sunday Times/Behaviour & Attitudes which gave Fianna Fáil a 12-point lead ahead.