Irish voters would vote to reject a referendum on the EU constitution, according to a poll published today.
Despite the French and Dutch rejection of the treaty, the Irish Times/TNS mrbi opinion poll - published in today's edition of the Irish Times- reveals 45 per cent of respondents believe the referendum should go ahead, 34 per cent that it should not and 21 per cent don't know or have no opinion.
However, although a majority would support the holding of a referendum, 35 per cent would vote to reject the constitution, 30 per cent to accept it, while 35 per cent don't know or have no opinion.
The poll was taken among a national quota sample of 1,000 voters at 100 sampling points throughout all constituencies in the State last Tuesday and Wednesday.
Voters have also taken the most sceptical position about further EU integration since this poll series began inquiring into public attitudes on the issue in 1996. Most people say they are either vaguely or not at all aware of the issues involved in the EU constitution.
The findings come as the Taoiseach prepares to join those arguing at the European Council meeting in Brussels later this week that the constitution is not dead, but that some new form of consultation should be set up in the hope of saving the ratification process.
Offered a choice between pro- and anti-European integration statements, substantially more voters chose the latter. Some 45 per cent said the statement that "Ireland should do all it can to protect its independence from the EU" came closest to their view of Ireland's status within the European Union.