A new opinion poll shows the government parties consolidating some of their recent gains.

The Red C poll in The Sunday Business Post sees both Fine Gael and Labour gaining 3 points in the last month.

Over 1,000 voters were polled between Monday and Wednesday of this week.

Red C says Fine Gael would take 24% of their vote - unchanged based on a similar poll last week, but up 3% compared to the last poll five weeks ago.

Labour are on 9% - still in low territory, but up three points from last month and one point compared to last week.

Fianna Fáil still fails to make any ground. At 19% the party is up just one point compared to last week, and unchanged since last month.

The most dramatic drop across the month is Sinn Féin, down one point in a week - but down four points compared to before Christmas.

Independents and others are on 28% - but new movements from Lucinda Creighton and Shane Ross have yet to make a mark.

Labour TD for Cork South-West, Michael McCarthy, thinks the party is fighting back.