'Few voters aware of citizenship referendum issues'

The Referendum Commission has reported widespread confusion among voters about the citizenship referendum.

The commission said research found that 80% of voters were aware the referendum was taking place, but only 60% knew that it had something to do with citizenship.

Among those, very few were aware of the actual details of the proposed constitutional amendment.

The Referendum Commission is spending €4m on an advertising campaign ahead of the June 11 vote.

Meanwhile, the commission also said today that it had asked RTE not to broadcast a controversial EU advertisement aimed at encouraging people to vote in the upcoming European parliament elections.

The advert shows a baby trying to decide which of his mother’s breasts to feed from.

The Referendum Commission said the ad had the potential to cause confusion because it contained the words ‘yes’ and ‘no’ and Irish voters might therefore believe that it had something to do with the citizenship referendum.