A TG4/MRBI poll has found that voters in Co Clare are divided over the Government's planned referendum on abortion, with 23 per cent undecided on the issue
The survey of 400 voters found 36 per cent to be in favour of the referendum and the same proportion against it, with 5 per cent indicating they would not vote.
It is another strong indication that the referendum may be defeated following last week's national poll carried out for The Irish Times, which found 39 per cent of the electorate in favour of the proposal and 34 per cent against.
"The overall conclusion is that the Government has quite a job to do yet," MRBI states.
According to the pollsters, the strongest support for the Yes campaign, at 42 per cent, is from people aged over 65. At the other end of the age spectrum, 47 per cent of people aged 18 to 24 and 40 per cent of 25 to 34-year-olds indicated they would vote No.
Based on income groupings, farming voters are the strongest supporters, at 40 per cent, followed by people in the upper income bracket, at 37 per cent, and people on lower incomes, at 34 per cent. "Farming people are generally in favour while the middle class is very divided on the issue," MRBI states.
Nevertheless, the Yes vote is higher in urban areas, at 44 per cent, than in rural areas, at 33 per cent.
The 23 per cent sample which is undecided was drawn mostly from the middle-aged and over 65s, followed by farm voters and the upper income group. The 5 per cent of those who indicated they would not vote was most influenced by the youngest voters.
In a separate poll question, 67 per cent of voters, asked about their views of Shannon Development, the regional development authority, regarded it as "very relevant".
Those people in the 25-34 age group and the upper income group were most favourable, at 73 per cent and 71 per cent respectively.
"A further 14 per cent classed Shannon Development's role as "fairly relevant", with 7 per cent giving no opinion, 9 per cent indicating "not very relevant" and 3 per cent saying "not at all relevant".
Abortion was listed as an election issue by just 2 per cent of voters. Healthcare services and hospital issues emerged as the key concern for 48 per cent of people, predominantly in the older age brackets.
Other issues cited were unemployment, roads, crime and drugs.Unemployment was a concern for 53 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds and for 45 per cent of single voters.