Europe News
Poll: Irish two-to-one in favour of EU Treaty, but half undecided
By DPA
May 17, 2008, 6:55 GMT

Dublin - A new poll published Saturday shows a majority of two-to-one in favour of the EU Reform Treaty among Irish voters who have decided how they are going to vote in next month's referendum to approve the document, but almost half are undecided or indifferent.

The TNS mrbi poll in The Irish Times shows that 35 per cent plan to vote in favour of the treaty, also known as the Lisbon Treaty, while 18 per cent said they would vote no.

The yes camp has increased by nine percentage points since the last poll in January, while the no camp has seen a rise of eight points.

However, 47 per cent of voters said they were undecided or did not plan to vote in the June 12 referendum at all.

Ireland is the only EU member to hold a popular vote to approve the treaty, which aims to simplify the decision-making process in the 27-member EU and is a replacement for the failed EU constitution rejected by French and Dutch voters.

All of Ireland's major political parties support the treaty and have launched a vigorous yes campaign in the past week.

Only Sinn Fein, which has four seats in the 166-seat parliament, and the unrepresented Socialist Party have called on their supporters to vote no.

However, there are several special interest groups calling for a no vote, including farmers who are unhappy with World Trade Organization negotiations and local groups protesting proposed hospital closures.

Irish voters have caused headaches for the EU in the past, rejecting the Nice Treaty in 2001.

One month ahead of the 2001 referendum, the yes camp was ahead by 52 per cent to 21 per cent, national broadcaster RTE reported.

A second referendum in 2002 overturned the vote and approved the treaty.