A majority of people plans to vote for the Nice Treaty in next month's referendum although only one in 10 says they have a good understanding of what it is about, according to an Irish Times/MRBI opinion poll.
Some 52 per cent of voters intend to vote Yes for the treaty; 21 per cent will vote No; while a large minority of 28 per cent express no opinion.
The findings show a comfortable majority in support of the treaty but the high level of undecided voters and the predicted low turnout could make the margin considerably tighter on June 7th.
Some 56 per cent of those polled said they were very likely to vote in the treaty referendum. A further 22 per cent were fairly likely to vote, 8 per cent fairly unlikely, 12 per cent very unlikely and 3 per cent have no opinion.
Opinion poll results, however, traditionally understate the level of abstention.
The poll was conducted among a national quota sample of 1,000 electors at 100 sampling points in all constituencies throughout the State last Monday and Tuesday to test support for the three referendums.
Voters generally professed a very poor understanding of the Nice Treaty. Just 11 per cent said they had a good understanding of what it was about.
A further 26 per cent said they understood some but not all of the issues; 32 per cent said they were only vaguely aware of the issues and 30 per cent said they did not know what it was about at all.
The poll also shows voters fairly evenly divided between enthusiasts and sceptics on the subject of European integration.
Some 46 per cent said the statement that Ireland should do all it can to unite fully with the EU came closest to their own view. But 41 per cent favoured the alternative that Ireland should do all it could to protect its independence from the EU.
On the proposed admission of up to 13 new states to the EU over the next 10 years, 59 per cent said they were in favour, 25 per cent against and 16 per cent had no opinion.
Support for enlargement was highest at 70 per cent in the better off ABC1 social classes, and lowest among farmers - who stand to lose EU funding as poorer states join - at just 50 per cent.
Voters are also substantially in favour both of Irish military neutrality and participation in the new EU Rapid Reaction Force, indicating they do not share the view of the No campaigners that participation will compromise neutrality. Some 72 per cent want the policy of military neutrality to continue, 16 per cent want to end it and 12 per cent don't know.
Participation in the Rapid Reaction Force is supported by 50 per cent, opposed by 29 per cent, and 21 per cent don't knows.
A majority of 55 per cent of voters favours the removal of the provision of the death penalty from the Constitution; 28 per cent say they will vote against this move, while 17 per cent have no opinion.
On the referendum to enable Ireland to allow an international criminal court to try cases of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, a large majority of 65 per cent is in favour, 11 per cent are against and 24 per cent have no opinion.