A new opinion poll shows there has been an increase in support for the Labour Party.

It also indicates that there is strong support for the referendum proposal to abolish the Seanad.

The Sunday Times-Behaviour and Attitudes Poll was carried out for tomorrow's paper.

It also shows that a large majority is in favour of the referendum proposal to establish a new Court of Appeal.

The poll was based on a nationwide sample of just under 1,000 voters.

The fieldwork was conducted between 10 September and 17 September.

The poll shows that support for Fine Gael is at 25%, down two points since the last poll carried out in June.

Labour is up four points to 11%, with Fianna Fáil at 21%, a fall of three points.

Support for Sinn Féin is up two points to 18%, while Independents and Others were unchanged at 26%.

When asked about the future of the Seanad - after the Don't Knows are excluded - 60% of those polled were in favour of its abolition.

On the referendum proposal to establish a new Court of Appeal, when the Don't Knows are excluded, 78% said there were in favour of the new court.

While the poll brings good news for the Labour Party, the figures suggest that it still remains some distance from the level of support it obtained in the general election.

The findings on the two referendums, the future of the Seanad and the Court of Appeal, will be welcomed by the government parties.