A greater number of voters believe a referendum on the EU constitution should go ahead in the Republic despite its rejection by the French and Dutch people, but more would vote to reject than ratify it, according to the latest Irish Times/TNS mrbi opinion poll, writes Mark Brennock, Chief Political Correspondent.
Some 45 per cent believe the referendum should go ahead, 34 per cent that it should not and 21 per cent don't know or have no opinion.
Should the referendum proceed, 35 per cent would vote to reject the constitution, 30 per cent to accept it, while 35 per cent don't know or have no opinion.
The poll was taken among a national quota sample of 1,000 voters at 100 sampling points throughout all constituencies in the State last Tuesday and Wednesday.
Voters have also taken the most sceptical position about further EU integration since this poll series began inquiring into public attitudes on the issue in 1996. A majority say they are either vaguely or not at all aware of the issues involved in the EU constitution.
The findings come as the Taoiseach prepares to join those arguing at the European Council meeting in Brussels later this week that the constitution is not dead, but that some new form of consultation should be set up in the hope of saving the ratification process.
Offered a choice between pro- and anti-European integration statements, substantially more voters chose the latter. Some 45 per cent said the statement that "Ireland should do all it can to protect its independence from the EU" came closest to their view of Ireland's status within the European Union.
In contrast, 36 per cent said the statement that "Ireland should do all it can to unite fully with the EU" came closest to their view, with 19 per cent saying they don't know or having no opinion.
The pro-independence statement has received greater support than the pro-integration position on a number of occasions since the question was first asked in a 1996 poll, but never by as large a margin as this.
Farmers, the major beneficiaries of EU membership in the past, are now the most supportive of the "independence" option. Some 54 per cent of farmers say it is closest to their view, just 28 per cent choosing the pro-integration statement and 18 per cent in the don't know/no opinion category.
Just 9 per cent say they have a "good understanding" of the issues involved in the EU constitution. Some 28 per cent have an understanding of some of the issues but not all; 36 per cent are "only vaguely aware" of the issues, and 24 per cent "do not understand the issues involved at all". Those with no opinion are at 3 per cent.
Although a greater number of all voters are opposed to ratification of the constitution, a greater number of younger voters support ratification.
In the 18-24 age group, 36 per cent are in favour of ratification, 31 per cent against, and 33 per cent don't know or have no opinion. Among the 24-34 age group the margin in favour is even greater with 36 per cent in favour, 25 per cent against and 39 per cent having no opinion. Older age groups are more opposed to it. The biggest opposition is among the 50-64 category, where 40 per cent are against, 26 per cent in favour and 32 per cent have no opinion.
As Green Party members prepare to vote at the end of this month on their attitude to the constitution, the poll shows just 20 per cent of their voters in favour of ratification, 40 per cent against and 40 per cent with no opinion. Sinn Féin voters have the strongest opposition with 53 per cent against, 25 per cent in favour and 22 per cent with no opinion.
Fianna Fáil and PD voters are the only ones in favour of ratification, with a clear margin even among supporters of the traditionally pro-EU Fine Gael against ratification.
Some 39 per cent of Fianna Fáil voters want to ratify it, 28 per cent do not and 33 per cent have no opinion.
Among PD voters, 35 per cent are in favour of ratification, 26 per cent against and 39 per cent have no opinion.
Forty-two per cent of Fine Gael voters would reject the constitution, 30 per cent would ratify it and 28 per cent have no opinion. Labour voters are almost evenly divided with 33 per cent opposed to it, 32 per cent support it, and 35 per cent with no opinion.