Pro-EU sentiment has increased slightly since last year, according to The Irish Times/TNS mrbi opinion poll.
Offered a choice between pro- and anti-European integration statements, a greater number opted for the pro-integration position, the poll shows.
Some 45 per cent said the statement that "Ireland should do all it can to unite fully with the EU" came closest to their personal view, up 2 percentage points since October 2002.
Some 40 per cent said the statement that "Ireland should do all it can to protect its independence from the EU" was closest to their view, down 2 points.
No opinion was offered by 15 per cent, up one point.
This question has been asked in a similar form on a number of occasions in recent years and has produced different results. In January 2001, for example, 43 per cent supported the anti-integration statement, 40 per cent the pro-integration statement and 17 per cent had no opinion.
In contrast, 46 per cent in May 2002 supported the pro-integration position, just 35 per cent the anti-integration view and 19 per cent offered no opinion.
In this latest poll, voters were asked: "As Ireland prepares to assume the Presidency of the European Union in January, which [of the two competing statements] comes closest to your view of EU developments?"
Pro-EU sentiment is strongest among men, Dubliners and the 25 to 34 age group (51 per cent each). Anti-integration sentiment is strongest among women (43 per cent), people in Connacht/Ulster (48 per cent), the 35 to 49 age group (44 per cent) and the 50 to 64 cohort (43 per cent).