Voters want Ireland to oppose military action against Iraq on the UN Security Council even if that country fails to comply with UN resolutions on arms inspection, an Irish Times/MRBI poll shows. Mark Brennock, Political Correspondent, reports
With the Security Council, of which Ireland is a member, expected to be asked to vote on the issue shortly, the poll shows Irish people opposed to such action by a two to one margin.
Some 59 per cent say Ireland should vote against authorising military action if Iraq fails to comply with UN resolutions, 29 per cent are in favour and 12 per cent has no opinion.
There is a more than three to one margin of opposition to military action if carried out by the United States without UN approval. Just 22 per cent say Ireland should support such US action, 68 per cent say Ireland should oppose it and 10 per cent have no opinion.
The poll result puts the Government in a difficult position as it prepares to decide how to vote at the UN Security Council. The Government has signalled opposition to unilateral US action, with the Minister for Foreign Affairs saying repeatedly that any action should be taken through the UN.
However, with the US putting pressure on Security Council members to support a tough UN resolution authorising military action, the poll shows that to bow to this pressure would run strongly against the public mood. The United States and Britain are actively working towards such a UN resolution.
A vote is seen as likely during Ireland's two-year term on the council, which expires at the end of this year.
The poll shows that opposition to authorising military action if Iraq fails to comply with resolutions is strong among supporters of all parties, in all age groups and all sectors of society. It is particularly evenly spread across all social class categories. Among Fianna Fáil voters 53 per cent are opposed, 34 per cent in favour and 13 per cent have no opinion.
The strongest opposition among party supporters was found among Green Party and Labour voters. Some 73 per cent of Green Party supporters are opposed, just 20 per cent in favour with 7 per cent having no opinion.
Among Labour voters 62 per cent are against, 33 per cent in favour and 5 per cent have no opinion. Fine Gael supporters are 59 per cent against, 31 per cent in favour and 10 per cent have no opinion. Progressive Democrat voters are opposed by 54 per cent to 36 per cent, with 10 per cent having no opinion. Finally, Sinn Féin voters are 57 per cent against, 29 per cent in favour and 14 per cent have no opinion.
Opposition is much stronger among women than among men. Two thirds of women voters - 66 per cent - say Ireland should vote against authorising military action. Just 18 per cent say Ireland should vote for it and 16 per cent have no opinion. Among men, 50 per cent are against, 41 per cent are in favour and 9 per cent have no opinion.
Miriam Donohoe reports from Kuala Lumpur: The President, Mrs McAleese, has indirectly warned against any country going it alone in a conflict situation without the full backing of the United Nations.
Mrs McAleese said on the first day of a State visit to Malaysia that any "might is right" approach should be resisted with vigour.