Fine Gael support slumps in polls with days to go before Irish General Election

Support for Fine Gael has slumped by six percentage points with days to go before Ireland’s General Election, according to the latest poll.

Taoiseach Simon Harris’s party now trails both Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein, the Irish Times/Ipsos B&A survey indicates.

Fianna Fail leads the way on 21% – up two points on the last poll two weeks ago.

Sinn Fein stands on 20% – up one – while Fine Gael is on 19% – down six points since the November 14 poll.

Ireland goes to the polls on Friday.

The latest poll comes after Mr Harris apologised 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.

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.

Mr 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.

Mr 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.

With regard to the smaller parties, the poll has the Greens on 4% – up one; Labour on 4% – down one; Social Democrats on 6% – up two; People Before Profit on 3% – up one; and Aontu on 3% – no change.

Independents (including the Independent Ireland party) are on 17% – down three percentage points.

In terms of personal favourability, Mr Harris’s popularity is down from 50% to 46%, while Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin is on 44% – down one point.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald is unchanged on 31%.