FARMING POLL 2015: Farm dwellers no longer taking their cues on moral issues from church

Despite the presumption among some that farmers might express reactionary viewpoints, it is striking this year to see substantial components of the farming sample in favour of progressive social change.

Just as in the 2014 survey, which suggested that farmers were as strongly in favour of equality (and gay marriage) as most of the population ultimately proved to be, we see the 2015 farmers poll indicating that the farming community is ready for a gay Taoiseach.

Indeed, farmers would also support potential constitutional change to amend the abortion legislation, which is generally perceived as being out of step with current social mores.