Fine Gael most popular party while Independents up - poll

Fine Gael remains the country's most popular party while Independents are gaining support, the latest Irish Times/Ipsos opinion poll has suggested.

The survey puts Fine Gael at 25%, down two points on September's poll which marked a three-year high.

Sinn Féin continues to lose support, down one point to 19%. Fianna Fáil remains unchanged, also at 19%.

Labour is on 5%, down one point; the Greens are at 3%, down two points; while the Social Democrats are unchanged on 4%.

People Before Profit are unchanged at 2% and Aontú gain two points to stand at 3%.

Independents are listed at 20%, up four points - a block that includes the new party, Independent Ireland.

1,200 people were interviewed face-to-face on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.

The margin of error in the survey is 2.8%.