Opinion polls show that concerns among asylum voters have increased dramatically
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald. Photo: Frank McGrath
Sinn Féin has seen their popularity rise as the party hardens its stance on immigration, according to the latest Ireland Thinks/Sunday Independent poll.
After a week of intense scrutiny over the government's asylum policy, public concern about immigration has skyrocketed.
The poll also shows that 41 percent of respondents say immigration is a priority for them, which is 15 points more than last month's poll. Housing (54 percent) remains the most important issue for voters, but has fallen by five points.
Nearly two in five (39 percent) blame the government for the increased number of asylum seekers arriving in Ireland, while just over a third (35 percent) say international conflict and war are the reason for the record number of people seeking international protection searches. A further 13 percent blame the British government and 11 percent say it is the EU's fault.
Immigration took center stage this week due to a diplomatic row over asylum seekers with the British government. A major operation to remove tents for asylum seekers from Dublin city center also made headlines.
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin is up three points to 29%, while Fine Gael has seen their support fall by two points to 19% and Fianna Fáil is unchanged at 16%.
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Sinn Féin has spoken out strongly against the EU's immigration and asylum pact, which the government has sought to support. Sinn Féin has also posted videos on its social media channels highlighting the party's opposition to open borders, in a bid to win back support from voters angry about rising immigration.
The position of the other parties is: Social Democrats (6%), Green Party (4%), Labor Party (3%) and Solidarity-People Before Profit (2%) unchanged compared to the April poll. Aontú is down one point to 3%, while Independents/Others is up two points to 19%.
Although Fine Gael polling has fallen, Taoiseach Simon Harris' personal satisfaction (4.3) has risen out of ten and he remains more popular than Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald (4.0), but less popular than Fianna Fáil- leader Micheál Martin (4.6). Justice Minister Helen McEntee's personal approval rating (3.3) has fallen significantly after another difficult week for the Fine Gael TD.
The minister has struggled with the immigration issue and has been summoned to appear before a Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting amid ongoing concerns about her performance.
A Sinn Féin-led government excluding Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil is voters' most preferred choice with 30%, followed by Fine Gael-Fianna Fail-Independents with 23%, a Fine Gael-Fianna Fáil-Green Party government with 19 % and Sinn Fein-Fianna Fail coalition on 11%.
The survey of 1,316 people was conducted between Thursday 2 and Friday 3 May and the margin of error is 2.8%.