A new opinion poll has put renewed pressure on Fine Gael and Fianna Fail to enter talks on forming government.

The Sunday Business Post/RED C poll found the results would be largely the same for most of the political parties if there was another general election.

The survey of more than one thousand voters between Monday and Thursday found Fine Gael is up a point to 27% and Fianna Fail’s support has increased by the same about to 25%.

The poll comes amid speculation that another election is likely unless there's agreement on a new coalition government.

Meanwhile, Fine Gael's Director of Elections, Brian Hayes, has said 'all bets are off' as far forming a new Government is concerned: “The people have decided not to give a significant mandate to anyone in terms of trying to form a Government.

“Therefore it is a matter for the parties now to see if a deal can be done, it is fragmented, it is incoherent, it is requiring a Government over the course of the next number of weeks and months, and that is why in terms of the new political dispensation, all bets are off.”