24/06/2008

No Voters Are Pro-Europe Says Survey

A recent poll has revealed despite the rejection of the Lisbon referendum, the Irish public are the EU's biggest fans.

The findings, based on work conducted before the referendum vote, show Ireland appreciates the benefits of EU membership more than any other nation.

The findings are in line with a snap poll of 2,000 Irish voters conducted immediately after the referendum decision.

The snap poll showed that 80% of those voting 'No' were in favour of the EU.

A similar poll conducted by the European Commission during the spring of 2008, called the Eurobarometer, found that the most positive opinions on the EU were recorded in Romania with 67% and Ireland with 65%. The research also found overall, 50% of EU citizens tend to trust the European Union compared to only 32% trusting their own government and 34% their national Parliament.

Foreign Minister Micheal Martin told reporters that the No campaigners were "pro-Europe and pro-European Union".

The survey shows that 82% of Irish people believe their country has benefited from EU membership, a 5% drop since the last survey, but still higher than anywhere else in the EU.

(DW/JM)

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