The coalition parties are struggling for support, according to three opinion polls today.

Labour has a backing of just 5% in polls for the Sunday Independent and the Sunday Times - while a third poll by Red C for the Sunday Business Post puts the party at 6%.

However polls by Behaviour and Attitudes for the Sunday Times, and by Millward Browne for the Sunday Independent, have them on just 5%.

Independents are the most popular political grouping, while support for Sinn Féin has slid considerably.

Sinn Féin remains the most popular party in two polls, gaining support there - but the Sunday Independent has the party dropping 5% in two months to fall just behind Fine Gael.

Independents are still by some distance the most popular candidates - all three polls have them on 30% or higher, with the Independent's poll claiming support is up 9%.

Fianna Fáil support is broadly steady at 18% or 19%. Depending on the poll, both Sinn Féin and Fine Gael are between 21% and 24%.

Political editor with the Sunday Independent, John Drennan, says there has been a definite dampening of the so-called "Sinn Féin surge".

Stephen O'Brien, political editor with the Sunday Times, says Labour has suffered the most losses.

Original posted yesterday at 18.00