Martin: Lisbon poll ‘outside interference’

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Micheál Martin has criticised what he described as “outside interference in our vital national debate on Ireland’s future in Europe” after a survey by a British think-tank found opposition to the treaty is increasing here.

A survey commissioned by Open Europe found that just 38% of Irish people would vote in favour of the Lisbon treaty if a second referendum were called, while 62% would vote against it.

The poll was carried out by Red C among 1,000 voters last week, two-thirds of whom believe that Europe had not respected the Irish no vote, and 71% of whom said they would be opposed to holding a second vote.