Britannia Radio

The Irish are in desperate financial straits and faced with a second  
referendum seem to be ‘running for shelter’ as it were.As Berlloc put  
it  “And always keep a hold of Nurse, For fear of finding something  
worse”

But those who judge by this early poll should still remember that it  
is  too soon to be sure.  I do not doubt the accuracy of the poll  
itself - merely that the ‘snapshot’ of this moment in time is not the  
same as a poll taken when the final campaign is under way.

And remember almost all the politicians in ireland, The Irish Times  
itself amd the EU Observer are all committed to a pro-EU stance.

The particular twist to the financial crisis in Ireland is that had  
they not foolishly joined the euro when their major markets (USA and  
UK) were outside it their crisis would not have been as severe.

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EU OBSERVER                18.5.09n UK
Support for EU treaty grows in Ireland
    HONOR MAHONY

Support for the EU's Lisbon Treaty among Irish citizens has grown in  
the past three months, with 52 percent saying they would vote "yes"  
if a second referendum was held on the issue, a poll conducted for  
the Irish Times shows.

The TNS mrbi poll, published Monday (18 May), indicates that the  
majority in favour of the treaty, rejected in a referendum in the  
country one year ago, has consolidated despite the growing  
unpopularity of the government.

The survey represents an increase of one percentage point of those in  
favour of the treaty compared to a similar poll in February and a  
drop of four points to 29 percent for those planning to vote No.  
There was a rise of three points - to 19 percent - of don't knows.

The survey also showed that Irish people overwhelmingly consider the  
country better off inside the European Union during the current  
economic crisis (79%), a drop of one point on the February poll.

Conducted from Tuesday to Thursday last week, among 2000 people, the  
poll was based on the assumption that the referendum will be held in  
autumn after Ireland has secured legal guarantees in three areas of  
concern - taxation, defence and abortion.

The results come despite the government's unpopularity. The main  
governing party, Fianna Fail, is polling at an all time low, largely  
due to the tough measures it has had to take in the face of the  
global financial crisis, which has wracked the country's economy.

EU leaders are expected to agree Ireland's Lisbon guarantees at a  
summit in June, paving the way for the government to announce the  
referendum date, expected in October.

In a shock vote almost a year ago, Irish voters rejected the Lisbon  
Treaty by 53.4 percent against to 46.6 in favour.

Since then parliamentary ratification has been completed in the other  
26 member states but the treaty needs approval in all member states  
if it is to go into force.

The Polish and Czech presidents are holding off signing the document  
- completing ratification - until after the Irish vote and it is  
facing a legal challenge in Germany's constitutional court.