ATTITUDES TO TREATY:A SURVEY of Irish business people has found 87 per cent believe that endorsing the Lisbon Treaty is important for Ireland's business sector, although more than three-quarters said they were not completely familiar with the content of the treaty.
The survey, conducted by the employers' body Ibec, was completed by 227 business representatives during the period May 12th to May 22nd.
A total of 89 per cent said they were satisfied that the treaty allowed Ireland to continue setting its own corporate tax rate. Just over 10 per cent said they did not know if this was the case.
One-fifth of respondents said they were "very aware" of the content of the treaty, 65 per cent said they were "somewhat aware" and 15 per cent were "unaware".
The survey consisted of a questionnaire distributed at information events organised by the pro-Lisbon Business Alliance for Europe in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Athlone and Dundalk.
Some 95 per cent of those surveyed agreed that EU membership had been important for the success of Irish business and 92 per cent said EU membership continued to be important for the sector.
Ibec's director of EU and international affairs, Brendan Butler, welcomed the findings as proof that the treaty had "overwhelming support" from business.
"Irish employers have been a major beneficiary of membership of the EU and it is clear that the Lisbon Treaty is seen as a means of ensuring that this positive experience continues into the future.
"Opponents of the treaty paint a warped picture of the EU as a menacing force, determined to deprive us of rights and take away our freedoms. Through scaremongering and deliberate misinformation, people whom you have never heard of, or would never vote for, suggest they are the ones to trust when it comes to deciding Ireland's future place in Europe. The Irish business community has not fallen for these cynical tactics."
Mr Butler said 36 organisations, including Ibec, the American Chamber of Commerce and the Small Firms' Association, had joined the Business Alliance for Europe to campaign for a Yes.