Irish people continue to have one of the most positive attitudes of any member-state towards the European Union and its institutions. Liam Reid reports.
A survey by the EU's Eurobarometer found that a much greater number of Irish people trusted European bodies than they did domestic political institutions.
However, nearly one-third of voters reported having had no contact with their MEPs since the 1999 election, including seeing or reading about them in the media.
Thirty-one per cent of people said they would not be interested in seeing or hearing more from their MEPs.
A clear majority of Irish people was also in favour of a European constitution, the survey found.
Interviewers spoke to 1,000 people in Ireland last March before EU enlargement, along with similar samples in the 15 EU member-states at that time.
Seventy-one per cent of Irish respondents believed the European Union to be a "good thing". Luxembourg was the only country with a higher satisfaction rating.
Sixty per cent of Irish people were in favour of the European enlargement on May 1st, again the second-highest of any of the 15 states.
Crime, health and inflation emerged as the most important issues concerning Irish voters. Economic issues were of concern to just 15 per cent of respondents, compared to an average of 38 per cent in the European Union.
Irish people had some of the highest levels of trust in European institutions, with an average of 56 per cent saying they trusted bodies such as the European Parliament.
Respect for domestic institutions was much lower, with just four in 10 people saying they trusted the Dáil, 39 per cent saying they trusted the Government, and only 23 per cent having trust in Irish political parties.
However, the survey notes that trust levels in national political institutions were higher in Ireland than in the EU as a whole.
Despite positive attitudes towards the European Union, a higher proportion of Irish did not feel they had sufficient information about European affairs, compared with other European citizens, with just under 66 per cent saying they felt neither "very well informed" nor "well informed".
Twenty-eight per cent of people reported having had no contact with a member of the European Parliament since the European election in 1999, including hearing from them through the media.
"Lack of such contact is not a problem for a significant proportion of Irish people, as 31 per cent of Irish respondents say that they would 'not be interested' in seeing or hearing more about MEPs," according to the report.
The report also found that Irish people were "far from gung-ho" about European integration.
Just 36 per cent felt that integration was not taking place as quickly as they would like.
Forty-six per cent of Irish respondents expected the EU to play a more important role in future years.
Irish people also had fears about the consequences of an enlarged Europe, with 75 per cent of respondents fearing the transfer of jobs from Ireland to countries with low labour costs.
Significant concern was also expressed that the enlargement of the European Union would lead to increased drug-trafficking and international organised crime.
The survey found that a clear majority, some 59 per cent, were in favour of a European constitution, compared to 12 per cent against, with don't-knows standing at 29 per cent.
However, the survey noted that this level of support was low, compared with other European countries.
However, 60 per cent of Irish respondents felt that each country should retain its single vote, and a majority also felt the veto should be retained. A majority of Irish respondents also favoured common foreign, defence and security policies.