Good news for Government in latest Poll

The Red C poll in tomorrow's Sunday Business Post shows rising support for Fine Gael and Labour, five weeks ahead of the Budget.

There's also a small rise in support for Sinn Féin – which is now comfortably ahead of Fianna Fáil.

The first Red C poll in almost three months was carried out between Monday and Wednesday of last week.

And it shows rising support for Fine Gael, which is up 3 points to 28 – and with a comfortable lead as the most popular party in the state.

There s also a one-point rise in support for Labour, who now stand at 8 per cent – although given this is the first poll since Joan Burton became Tanaiste, Labour might have hoped for a bigger bounce.

Sinn Féin cements its status as the second most popular party in the country, up 1 point to 23 – with Fianna Fáil five points back, unchanged on 18. Independents and others are on 23, down 5.

The poll also asks people how any financial lee-way should be used in the budget- with 64 per cent saying they d prefer the money to go to public services instead of being used for tax cuts.