Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are neck-an-neck in their level of public support, according to the latest Red C poll.

The poll, published in this weekend's Sunday Business Post, reveals that both parties hold 26 per cent of public support, marking a one point rise for Fianna Fáil and a one point drop for Fine Gael since the last Red C poll held two weeks after the general election.

Support for Sinn Féin remains stable in the latest poll at 15 per cent while support for the Independent Alliance is down by one point to 4 per cent. Backing for the Independents in general is up by two points to 11 per cent.

Labour’s support has risen two points to 6 per cent, leaving it one point behind its general election result of 7 per cent.

The Anti-Austerity Alliance and People Before Profit grouping has risen by one point to 5 per cent, while the Social Democrats fell one point to 4 per cent.

The Green party dropped one point to 2 per cent, down from the 3 per cent it held during the general election, while Renua is down to 1 per cent.

The Red C poll is carried out through telephone interviews with a random sample of 1,007 adults aged over 18 from across the country.

According to a RedC-Paddy Power poll carried out earlier this month, a quarter of people surveyed believe Enda Kenny should step down as Fine Gael leader immediately, including 18 per cent of Fine Gael voters. A further 18 per cent say Mr Kenny should resign in the next one to two years, while 25 per cent say he should stay for a full term.

On Irish Water, 61 per cent of respondents said it should be abolished while 71 per cent said those who have paid water charges should be refunded. A third, 34 per cent, said those who haven’t paid should be pursued through the courts for payment.

However, 59 per cent say they would pay charges if asked to do so again. This is broadly in line with last published compliance rate for Irish Water, although it is understood this has dropped off because of recent uncertainty about charging.