A new poll puts support for Sinn Féin level with Fine Gael for the first time.

The IPSOS/MRBI study for The Irish Times puts the top two parties on 24 per cent each - with Fianna Fáil down 5 to 20 per cent.

Meanwhile, Labour is up 2 to 9 per cent and Independents/Others are down one point to 23.

The Irish Times Political Editor Stephen Collins says the Government parties will be satisfied with the results after the McNulty controversy.

He says Sinn Féin is now harvesting support from Fianna Fáil - rather than the coalition.