THE LISBON Treaty would be rejected by almost three to one among owner-managers of small and medium businesses if a vote were held immediately, according to a survey conducted for the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (Isme).
The survey was conducted in the period April 23rd-30th for Isme, which said the number of owner-managers voting No had doubled compared to the results of a similar survey last January.
Isme said there was still a serious lack of information on the referendum. "Based on the survey figures, and discounting the substantial 49 per cent who either don't know or would abstain, the referendum would be defeated 73 per cent to 27 per cent, based on those intending to vote."
The statement added: "Similar to the survey in January, over 80 per cent of companies complained that they did not have sufficient information to make a considered judgment."
Isme chief executive Mark Fielding said: "The ongoing debates between the Yes and the No campaigns are leading to further uncertainty with regard to the true aims of the treaty's proposals."
An Isme spokesman said the survey was sent to a random sample of 1,500 companies throughout the State and 280 had responded.
According to the results of a separate survey of top-level executives in 500 businesses in the Republic, 40 per cent said their business would "offer support to the EU reform treaty referendum", with 15 per cent stating they would not, and 45 per cent still unsure.
The findings are part of the latest quarterly survey of businesses in both parts of the island, conducted in the period April 3rd-15th.