GET TOUGH ON BREXIT
Voters want irish interests protected in talks
FOUR out of five voters want the Government to get tougher on Brexit.
Most of the public believe ministers need to take a firmer stance in negotiations about Britain leaving the European Union. Brexit was triggered in March but the real talks will not start until later this year when EU’S chief negotiator Michel Barnier will represent Irish interests. As regards who has our best interests going into the negotiations, most people trust the Irish Government but are wary of the British government. A Red C survey for RTE found 82% of voters want politicians to take a tougher stance. The poll also found 75% trust the Government to do so and 72% the EU’S negotiating team, but only 43% trust the British government. One of the top three priorities identified by Mr Barnier’s team is the border between the North and the Republic of Ireland. The threat of a hard border has led to some discussion of other outcomes, including a united Ireland. When asked if they would favour a united Ireland if it made sense following a Brexit deal, the poll shows that 74% of respondents would favour a 32-county republic, while 21% are against. Mr Barnier’s team have a two-year window in which to agree terms with the British Government. The survey found 53% of people think the Irish Government should hold a referendum about the outcome of Brexit negotiations. As for following in the footsteps of the UK, the majority of people would rather stay in the EU. The poll found 71% of people think Ireland should stay in the EU, even if the outcome of the Brexit negotiations are bad for the country. And 67% of voters also want to see further EU integration once a Brexit deal has been agreed. The poll was conducted as part of a new documentary, “Brexit, Trump and Us” which will be shown on RTE One tonight at 9.35pm.
75% Amount of voters in Red C survey for RTE who trust Irish Government 53% How many people think the State should hold referendum 71% of voters believe Ireland should stay in EU even if Brexit hits us hard