Sinn Féin has tied with Fine Gael as the most popular party in the State, according to the latest opinion poll.

The Red C poll in tomorrow'Â’s Sunday Business Post shows both parties on 22 per cent.

The poll, taken between Monday and Wednesday of this week, shows Fine Gael losing major ground, down four points to 22 per cent.

Those four points are split between Sinn Féin, independents and smaller parties - with Sinn Féin up two to 22, tied at the top with Fine Gael.

For the fourth poll in a row, Fianna Fáil are at 18 per cent - while Labour are also unchanged at 8.

Independents and others remain by far the biggest group - now accounting for 30 per cent of the public vote.

The timing of the poll is important - the new water charges regime was only confirmed on Wednesday, so much of the polling took place beforehand.

But with most of the detail having already been leaked before the poll was taken, todayÂ’s poll will give ALL the parties plenty of think about.