Fine Gael has overtaken Sinn Fein in the polls for the first time since 2020.

Mary Lou McDonald’s party received 19 per cent support in the latest Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks poll, falling to third place behind Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. Sinn Fein’s continued decline this year has opened up a possible path to re-election for the current Government.

Fine Gael now stands as the most popular party in the country at 22.9 per cent with Fianna Fail's approval rating now standing at 20.9 per cent. Fine Gael has seen a modest but significant rise in support following the appointment of Simon Harris as leader.

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He took over Fine Gael in April after a slump in the polls under Leo Varadkar’s leadership, with support now averaging about 21 per cent.

Support for Independent candidates jumped significantly this year in the lead-up to the local and European elections but has dipped over the summer to now average of 19 per cent.

Between the end of last October and June, the estimated support for Independent candidates and other parties increased by around nine percentage points to reach 21 per cent.

If the coalition between Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and the Green Party runs its full term, a General Election must be held by March 22 next year.

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