Bertie Ahern is preferred Fianna Fáil presidential candidate, poll finds

James Cox

Bertie Ahern is the preferred Fianna Fáil candidate in the upcoming presidential election, according to the latest opinion poll.

The poll also found Mary Lou McDonald is the favourite to be Sinn Féin's candidate.

The Ireland Thinks survey of voters in today's Sunday Independent puts former taoiseach Bertie Ahern top of the list of potential Fianna Fáil candidates, at 24 per cent.

He is followed by current Taoiseach and party leader Micheál Martin, with 19 per cent support - while Mary Hanafin and Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, are close behind on 18 and 17 per cent, respectively.

Meanwhile, 38 per cent think Mary Lou McDonald should be Sinn Féin's candidate.

Just over a quarter think it should be her northern counterpart Michelle O'Neill instead - while a fifth are in favour of Gerry Adams.

On the subject of Gaza, just over half of respondents said they would still support the cause if it meant it would inflict economic damage on Ireland.

Two thirds want the Occupied Territories Bill to be passed despite almost 40 per cent believing it would damage our economy.