Ireland - Poll shows voters strongly oppose action against Iraq

["John O'Neill" <johnfergaloneill@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Poll shows voters strongly oppose action against Iraq

Voters want Ireland to oppose military action against Iraq on the UN
Security Council even if that country fails to comply with UN resolutions on
arms inspection, an Irish Times/MRBI poll shows. Mark Brennock, Political
Correspondent, reports

With the Security Council, of which Ireland is a member, expected to be
asked to vote on the issue shortly, the poll shows Irish people opposed to
such action by a two to one margin.

Some 59 per cent say Ireland should vote against authorising military action
if Iraq fails to comply with UN resolutions, 29 per cent are in favour and
12 per cent has no opinion.

There is a more than three to one margin of opposition to military action if
carried out by the United States without UN approval. Just 22 per cent say
Ireland should support such US action, 68 per cent say Ireland should oppose
it and 10 per cent have no opinion.

The poll result puts the Government in a difficult position as it prepares
to decide how to vote at the UN Security Council. The Government has
signalled opposition to unilateral US action, with the Minister for Foreign
Affairs saying repeatedly that any action should be taken through the UN.

However, with the US putting pressure on Security Council members to support
a tough UN resolution authorising military action, the poll shows that to
bow to this pressure would run strongly against the public mood. The United
States and Britain are actively working towards such a UN resolution.

A vote is seen as likely during Ireland's two-year term on the council,
which expires at the end of this year.

The poll shows that opposition to authorising military action if Iraq fails
to comply with resolutions is strong among supporters of all parties, in all
age groups and all sectors of society. It is particularly evenly spread
across all social class categories. Among Fianna Fáil voters 53 per cent are
opposed, 34 per cent in favour and 13 per cent have no opinion.

The strongest opposition among party supporters was found among Green Party
and Labour voters. Some 73 per cent of Green Party supporters are opposed,
just 20 per cent in favour with 7 per cent having no opinion.

Among Labour voters 62 per cent are against, 33 per cent in favour and 5 per
cent have no opinion. Fine Gael supporters are 59 per cent against, 31 per
cent in favour and 10 per cent have no opinion. Progressive Democrat voters
are opposed by 54 per cent to 36 per cent, with 10 per cent having no
opinion. Finally, Sinn Féin voters are 57 per cent against, 29 per cent in
favour and 14 per cent have no opinion.

Opposition is much stronger among women than among men. Two thirds of women
voters - 66 per cent - say Ireland should vote against authorising military
action. Just 18 per cent say Ireland should vote for it and 16 per cent have
no opinion. Among men, 50 per cent are against, 41 per cent are in favour
and 9 per cent have no opinion.

 Irish Times 1st October 2002




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