Polls 'demonstrate sharp decline' in support of Oireachtas referendum

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has claimed that polls in two leading Sunday newspapers confirm that support for the Government's Oireachtas referendum proposals represent "a sharp decline in support" for the 30th amendment to the Constitution.

The group say support for the referendum fell by 14% in just two days last week and coincided with the launch last Friday of the official campaign for a No vote by the ICCL.

Figures in the Sunday Independent / Quantum Research poll taken after the No campaign launch show 62% said they would vote for the proposed amendment to the constitution, giving Oireachtas members the right to conduct inquiries into matters they consider to be "of public importance". This reveals 14% less support for the Government's proposals than the Sunday Times Behaviour & Attitudes Poll carried out between Sunday and Tuesday last week.

Up to 76% of people asked for the Sunday Times poll would also vote yes in this referendum.

ICCL Director Mr Mark Kelly said: "The Government's referendum wording was published only a week before polling day. Two different newspaper polls today demonstrate a sharp decline of 14% in support for the Government’s proposals on the launch day of the No campaign."

"We are confident that, as more people read their Referendum Commission booklet and think through the implications of this power grab by the Oireachtas, support for the Government’s proposals will continue to plummet.

"To those whose lives are too busy to allow them to reflect on major Constitutional reform in less than a week, our message is simple: if in doubt, vote no."