(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Two-thirds of people in Ireland want to reconsider their country’s immigration laws, according to a poll by Amarach Research. 66 per cent of respondents think immigration into Ireland should be more restrictive.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Two-thirds of people in Ireland want to reconsider their country’s immigration laws, according to a poll by Amarach Research. 66 per cent of respondents think immigration into Ireland should be more restrictive.
In May 2007, Irish voters renewed the House of Representatives. Fianna Fáil finished in first place with 41.6 per cent of the vote and 78 lawmakers, followed by Fine Gael with 27.3 per cent and 51 legislators, and Labour with 10.1 per cent and 20 representatives. In June, Bertie Ahern was ratified as prime minister, with the support of Fianna Fáil, six Green lawmakers, two members of the Progressive Democrats and four independents.
In May 2008, Ahern stepped down as he faced a corruption investigation. Fianna Fáil lawmakers chose finance minister Brian Cowen to replace him as leader and prime minister.
Last month, data from Ireland’s Central Statistics Office showed that immigration into Ireland has dropped from 109,500 people at the beginning of 2007 to 83,800 from January to April this year. Conversely, the number of Irish citizens leaving to settle in countries such as Australia and New Zealand has continued to increase.
On Sept. 10, the Irish Examiner wrote in an editorial that economic tensions might be a factor in a growing negative approach towards immigration, adding, "Our attitude towards immigrants may be about to face a sterner test than before. Let us hope we pass it."
Polling Data
Should immigration in Ireland be more restrictive, remain the same, or be less restrictive?
|
More restrictive |
66% |
|
Remain the same |
27% |
|
Less restrictive |
7% |
Source: Amarach Research
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 Irish adults, conducted from Sept. 1 to Sept. 5, 2008. No margin of error was provided.
