Survey indicates strong business support for referendum Yes vote

Almost three-quarters of businesses support a Yes vote in the May 31 referendum on the EU fiscal treaty, according to a new survey published today.

The survey of businesses carried out by Chambers Ireland revealed that some 72.9% said that they will vote Yes, 12.7% said they will vote No with 14.2% indicating that they are still undecided.

f decided respondents, 85% of businesses support a Yes vote, Chambers Ireland said.

Some 70% of respondants said they believe that ratifying the treaty was important for their business, that number rising to 84.4% when undecided voters are excluded.

Chambers Ireland Chief Executive Ian Talbot said the survey confirms strong business support for a Yes vote in the referendum.

"Its findings directly contradict the scaremongering of some commentators within the no camp, who have recently claimed that businesses and international companies simply don’t care about the EU vote," he added.

"The vast majority of businesses see this treaty being of vital importance to business as part of our need to rebuild confidence in our country.”

The survey was conducted among Chamber members between May 16 and 23. Results are based on the 400 responses received.