A new opinion poll indicates that support for Taoiseach Brian Cowen has fallen to 11% - his lowest-ever popularity rating.

The Red C Survey in The Sun newspaper is based on a poll of 1,000 adults carried out last week at the height of student protests.

It follows the Government announcement that next month's Budget will institute cuts of €6bn.

According to the survey, Labour leader Eamon Gilmore has most support to be the next Taoiseach at 39%, up six points on a similar poll three months ago.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny is at 23%, which is a drop of four points on the previous poll.

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin TD Arthur Morgan has said he will not be seeking re-election in his Louth constituency.

Arthur Morgan TD said 'when I took the decision to run for a Dáil seat in Louth, I had to step out of the role I had played up to that point in a family business, which goes back a very long way in Co Louth. I would really like to go back into business.'