Sinn Féin has opened up a commanding lead over Fine Gael, according to a Red C poll for today's Business Post. 

At 33%, the party is up by 4% since the last poll and 8% clear of its nearest rival, Fine Gael, who are on 25% - down 3% since the last poll.

It is the highest level of support Sinn Féin has ever received in a Red C poll. 

Fianna Fáil are third with 12%, the Social Democrats are on 6%, Labour on 5%, while the Greens are on 4%. 

Other parties and independents polled 15%. 

The result has delighted Sinn Féiners, with Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill tweeting: 

“North and South, people are increasingly supporting Sinn Féin’s vision for a new, fair and united Ireland, and the real change that will bring.

"We are living in historic times in Irish politics that will define the future of our island.”

Power

Michael Brennan, Political Editor of the Business Post, told Newstalk that if the party maintained such high levels of support, a Government led by Sinn Féin could be the result of the next general election: 

“If you add together the support for Sinn Féin, Labour and the Social Democrats, they actually have more support in this poll than the three coalition parties of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Greens. 

“You’re potentially seeing an interesting alternative coalition emerging if that support stays solid towards the next general election. 

“You know, who would have predicted a Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, Green party coalition not so long ago.” 

The last election produced something close to a three way tie; Sinn Féin received the most first preferences nationwide with 24.5% and won 37 seats. Fianna Fáil garnered 22.2% of the vote and won 38 seats, while its coalition partner Fine Gael received 20.9% of the vote and won 35 seats.

Main image: Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald. Picture by: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie