Support for the industrial action by secondary teachers has fallen in the last three weeks, with only 43 per cent of people now believing it is justified - down from 58 per cent - and 50 per cent feeling it is not justified, with 7 per cent undecided. Almost half (47 per cent) of adults surveyed in an Irish In- dependent/IMS poll published this morning are opposed to publishing the Leaving Certificate in league table format. Two in every five are in favour of publication, and 64 per cent felt teachers should receive performance-related bonuses and special payments.
The survey was carried out in 100 locations on Wednesday and Thursday. It also shows that nine out of 10 people are demanding tax cuts in next month's Budget, and almost two-thirds (62 per cent) are in favour of another referendum on abortion, with 27 per cent against and 11 per cent expressing no opinion.
Analysed by party support, 64 per cent of Fianna Fail supporters, 66 per cent of Progressive Democrat supporters, 58 per cent of Fine Gael supporters and 60 per cent of Labour voters want a referendum.
The Workers' Party (80 per cent) Sinn Fein (77 per cent) and the Green Party (71 per cent) were most supportive on the issue.
Asked if they were better off since the present Government came to power, 35 per cent answered yes, and 44 per cent felt there was no change in their circumstances. However, 18 per cent felt they were worse off.
On the question of tax allowances, 65 per cent want a reduction of the 22p in the pound standard rate of income tax, and 26 per cent want the top rate of tax reduced from 44p in the pound.