A greater number of voters support the establishment of a Garda reserve as proposed by Minister for Justice Michael McDowell, according to the latest Irish Times/TNS mrbi opinion poll, writes Mark Brennock, Chief Political Correspondent..
Some 48 per cent believe there should be a Garda reserve; 32 per cent that there should not be one; 13 per cent do not mind whether there is such a reserve; and 7 per cent have no opinion.
Support for a part-time reserve force is strongest among Progressive Democrat voters, those in urban areas and in Connacht/Ulster. Opposition is strongest in Munster and among Fine Gael and Green Party voters.
The poll was conducted last Monday and Tuesday among a national quota sample of 1,000 people at 100 sampling points throughout all constituencies in the State.
A separate question shows widespread support for the building by Shell of a pipeline through part of Co Mayo to bring gas ashore. However, a large majority of those supporting a pipeline believe it should go ahead on a different route than the one planned.
Some 20 per cent say it should go ahead on its current planned route; 44 per cent that it should go ahead but on a different route; 17 per cent believe it should be scrapped altogether; and 19 per cent have no opinion.
The issue of the part-time Garda reserve has caused notable public conflict between Mr McDowell and
the Garda representative bodies. However, a Garda reserve has support across supporters of all parties, all age groups, regions and social categories despite vehement Garda opposition.
In relation to the Garda reserve, the question asked of voters was: "The Government plans to set up a part-time Garda reserve force, which it says will free up full-time gardaí for frontline duties. Garda representatives have opposed this, saying that Garda reservists will not have adequate training and willtherefore make it more difficult for the full-time force to operate efficiently. Which of the following comes closest to your view?"
They were then offered a choice between statements that there should be a Garda reserve, that there should not be, that they do not mind one way or another whether there is one, and no opinion/do not know.
Supporters of Mr McDowell's party, the PDs, are the most enthusiastic about the idea, with 59 per cent in favour; 14 per cent against; 14 per cent saying they do not mind either way; and 14 per cent with no opinion.
In contrast, among Green Party voters, 44 per cent are in favour; 40 per cent against; 14 per cent do not mind; and 2 per cent do not know. Some 50 per cent of Fianna Fáil voters support a Garda reserve; 29 per cent believe there should not be one; 14 per cent do not mind one way or the other; and 7 per cent have no opinion.
Some 49 per cent of Fine Gael voters support the idea; 37 per cent are against; 12 per cent do not mind; and 3 per cent have no opinion. Labour voters are also 49 per cent in favour; 35 per cent against; 13 per cent do not mind; and 4 per cent have no opinion.
Among Sinn Féin voters, 45 per cent are in favour; 33 per cent against; 15 per cent do not mind one way or the other; and 6 per cent have no opinion.