May 15, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - More people in Ireland are in favour of ratifying a new common European treaty, according to a poll by Red C published in the Sunday Business Post. 38 per cent of respondents would vote to adopt the so-called Lisbon Treaty in next month’s referendum, while 28 per cent would vote against it. A third of respondents remain undecided.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - More people in Ireland are in favour of ratifying a new common European treaty, according to a poll by Red C published in the Sunday Business Post. 38 per cent of respondents would vote to adopt the so-called Lisbon Treaty in next month’s referendum, while 28 per cent would vote against it. A third of respondents remain undecided.

EU heads of state officially signed the European Constitution on Oct. 29, 2004. The project for a continental body of law was practically abandoned in 2005, after voters in France and the Netherlands rejected the proposed document in two plebiscites.

In October 2007, leaders of the 27 EU member nations reached an agreement on the Lisbon Treaty and Charter of Fundamental Rights. The Lisbon Treaty provisions call for the creation of new posts, such as a foreign policy chief, and a High Representative who will answer to EU governments and serve as vice-president of the European Commission. The Charter will become legally binding in all EU member states except Britain, which negotiated an exemption.

The EU leaders would also choose a president of the European Council for a two and a half year renewable term. This will effectively eliminate the current six-month rotating presidency among member nations. The Lisbon Treaty also provides for the creation of a mutual defence clause, in case one of the member states is attacked.

If all countries ratify the treaty—whether through a referendum or a parliamentary vote— it will become effective in January 2009. Ireland, due to its internal regulations, is the only country that must hold a nationwide vote on the Lisbon Treaty, while other governments can decide whether they want to do the same. Irish voters will take part on the referendum on Jun. 12.

Earlier this month, Margaret Conlon, a lawmaker with the governing Fianna Fáil party, expressed support for the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty, saying, "Today, after we have said Yes five times to European treaties, there is no European super-state, we are not conscripting our young people to fight in NATO wars, our democracy is intact, our economy has not been destroyed, we have not been forced to accept European laws on moral issues and workers have not lost their rights. (...) Every time we have voted Yes, Europe has been able to be more effective and efficient. It’s been good for Ireland and good for Europe."

Polling Data

How would you vote in the referendum on the Lisbon Treaty?

	May 7	Apr. 23	Feb. 27
Yes	38%	35%	46%
No	28%	31%	23%
Not sure	34%	34%	31%

Source: Red C / Sunday Business Post
Methodology: Interviews with 1,001 Irish adults, conducted from May 3 to May 7, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.