A considerable drop in support for Sinn Féin in the polls is due to “more right-wing issues” emerging, according to those who made the poll. 

According to the latest Business Post/Red C poll, support for Sinn Féin has dropped by 4% to 25%, the largest drop in support since the general election in 2020. 

While it remains the most popular party in Ireland by five points, Sinn Féin has seen a seven-point drop within two polls. 

Business Post Political Correspondent Daniel Murray told Newstalk this decrease in support could be due to changes in the most pressing political issues. 

“The support is being lost on the basis of more right-wing issues – most immigration which of course has been a difficult issue for Sinn Féin,” he said. 

“When we see the support flowing to these parties who are taking a stronger stance on immigration, this has become an acute issue and it’s affecting Sinn Féin especially.” 

Speaking on The Anton Savage Show later, Mr Murray said today’s poll results “solidify a longer-term decline in support for the party”. 

“Over two polls it’s actually seen a seven-percentage point decline which is very significant,” he said. 

“In terms of the other parties, it’s been largely the same – Fine Gael the same at 20%, Fianna Fáil up one point to 17%.” 

The journalist noted these poll results might cause people to stop thinking about when Sinn Féin form a Government but “if” they can. 

“It's still the largest party but it’s fallen substantially and that argument the current Government could make up a coalition to lead the next government certainly is much more palatable. 

“Even though Sinn Féin is still the largest party, it’s down from a high of 36% in May 2022 – an 11-point fall over nearly two years.” 

The only parties who gained support in this poll were Fianna Fáil (up one point), Aontú (up one point) and Independents (up two points). 

Turning away from Sinn Féin

Mr Murray also pointed out that male voters dropped from 41% support for Sinn Féin in 2022 to just 24% in the most recent poll. 

“Sinn Féin has fallen across the board, but that younger, wealthier, Dublin-based and male voter are turning away from the party faster than any other voter,” he said. 

Support for the Green Party, Social Democrats and Labour Party remained unchanged at 4%, 6% and 4% respectively. 

People Before Profit/Solidarity is unchanged at 3%. 

Red C interviewed a random sample of 1,003 adults for the poll. 

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