Survey reveals dramatic loss of trust in Government

PEOPLE lost a dramatic amount of trust in the Government as the economy deteriorated, a survey has revealed.

The fall in confidence in the national government accelerated in the first half of this year, and is now 12% below the European average.

Four out five people do not trust the Government, the survey says. The twice-yearly Eurobarometer survey released yesterday said we are generally happy with the European Commission, the Council and the Court of Justice, but not our own leaders.

Researcher professor Richard Sinnot said the unease probably reflected a number of issues, including a rout in the June elections and the banking crisis.

And his research asked if this would derail the Lisbon treaty referendum?

“The question is the effect the lack of trust may have on the Government as it faces the interrelated challenges of the second Lisbon referendum, the fiscal crisis and the rescue and reconstruction of the banking sector,” it said.

However, Taoiseach Brian Cowen, said there was no way this lack of faith would deter him or his government from taking a lead role for the yes campaign. “I would have regarded it as an extraordinary proposition that the Irish Government would not be involved in promoting a referendum campaign it is sponsoring.”

The poll had to pose identical questions across all members states, so it did not have specific indicators on how people will vote next month.

However, Prof Sinnott said there were certain figures which would provide solace to the yes campaign, and others which would give ammunition to their opponents.

“There is not much support . . . in terms of a two-speed Europe, and that is something a referendum vote and any future referendum vote would have implications for,” he said.

Irish people are the third most positive towards the EU of all 27 countries, only behind Romania and Bulgaria.

The researchers said it was “not unimpressive” to find Ireland ranked above the EU average in citizens’ belief the country’s voice is influential. However, the understanding of the EU remains poor when compared with other countries, even though we are in the midst of a second referendum campaign in 16 months.

The research said it did not necessarily follow that people who did not understand would vote no.