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Irish Times/Ipsos B&A opinion poll methodology: How the surveys were carried out

Total number of interviews conducted was 1,500, with accuracy estimated to be approximately plus or minus 2.5%

Illustration: Paul Scott
In this poll, all small parties with Dáil representation and a significant national profile are treated separately. Illustration: Paul Scott

This survey was conducted exclusively on behalf of The Irish Times by Ipsos B&A among a quota sample representative of adults aged 18 years and upwards. The total number of interviews conducted was 1,500. Interviewing was conducted across 150 sampling points throughout all constituencies. The sample size for this poll is larger than typical for Irish Times/Ipsos B&A polls to accommodate 500 interviews in each of the Euro constituencies.

Personal in-home interviewing took place between May 11th and 15th, 2024. Accuracy is estimated to be approximately plus or minus 2.5 per cent.

In all respects, the survey was conducted within the guidelines laid down by Aimro and Esomar.

Since February 2016, a question on voting importance has been included. All respondents are asked how much their vote counts on a scale from 1 to 10 where 1 means it “makes no difference” and 10 means it “makes all the difference”. Those answering 1 to this question are treated as non-voters and are excluded from our party preference calculation, along with those who don’t know how they will vote or say they will not vote.

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Extracts from the report may be quoted or published on condition that due acknowledgement is given to: The Irish Times and Ipsos B&A.

In the presentation of today’s poll, there has been a change to the previous practice where some small parties were grouped as part of the “Independents and others” group, while other parties were treated separately. Today, all small parties that have Dáil representation and a significant national profile are treated separately. Independents and other small parties are grouped together.

Pat Leahy

Pat Leahy

Pat Leahy is Political Editor of The Irish Times