Only 16 per cent of people in the State feel they adequately understand the subject matter of the forthcoming referendum on the Nice Treaty, according to a survey published yesterday.
The research, carried out on behalf of the Referendum Commission, also found that fewer than one-third of people under the age of 24 definitely intend to vote in the referendum, the date of which has not been confirmed.
Announcing details of the study, the Referendum Commission's chairman, Mr Justice Tom Finlay, said the findings were deeply disturbing.
He said he was especially "alarmed" at how few young people planned to vote. While just 28 per cent of under 24s were definite they would vote, some 65 per cent of those aged 35 to 54 said they would definitely vote, while 78 per cent of over-55s were definite they would vote.
Lack of understanding was the single biggest factor at work among those who said they would not vote.
Mr Finlay expressed disappointment at the low level of understanding of what the referendum was about. "It is disappointing but we always expected to find it a very low figure."
He said: "Clearly, these figures underline the extent of the challenge faced by the commission. In spite of a previous referendum on the issue and considerable media discussion, levels of understanding remain unacceptably low."
Furthermore, the survey found that more than 40 per cent of people were unable to articulate any issue related to the treaty. Among those who were, enlargement and neutrality were the main issues.
The survey, however, indicated a high level of awareness that the referendum would take place. Some 78 per cent of those surveyed knew about it.
The findings were the result of a telephone poll of a sample of 300 people from across the State conducted by Lansdowne Market Research.
Meanwhile, the Referendum Commission also gave details yesterday of how it plans to fulfil its role in explaining the subject matter of the referendum to the population. It will conduct a series of television and radio advertisements and deliver more than four million information booklets to homes across the State.
There will be two different booklets. The first booklet explains the EU and how it works and is intended to provide the background information that is essential if the treaty is to be understood. This will be delivered to homes over the coming week.
The second booklet contains information on the treaty and the proposal to ban Ireland from joining an EU defence. This will be delivered to homes in the two-week period running up to the date of the referendum.
The Treaty of Nice can be read on the commission's website at www.refcom.ie.
A separate study of 800 companies doing business between Ireland and Germany has shown overwhelming support for ratification of the treaty.
More than 80 per cent of respondents expressed concern that a No vote would have negative consequences and would "hit people in their pockets". This study, by the German-Irish Chamber of Industry and Commerce, should be taken seriously, the Tánaiste, Ms Harney, said.