Large majorities in Ireland and Britain say process can be saved

OVERWHELMING majorities in the Republic, Northern Ireland and Britain believe the peace process can be revived despite the IRA London bombings, according to a specially commissioned Irish Times/Guardian opinion poll conducted in the three jurisdictions.

The poll shows strong support for renewed Anglo Irish efforts to reactivate the ceasefire, and for a more flexible approach by the British Prime Minister, Mr Major, to the proposals being discussed by the two governments.

There is solid support in the Republic, the North and Britain, for a resumption of the IRA ceasefire and for the British government to set an early date for all party talks the twin aims of Mr Bruton and Mr Major for their summit.

The poll finds that some 56 per cent of respondents in the Republic, 56 per cent in Northern Ireland and 35 per cent in Britain see the future of the peace process as "stalled at present". A further 23 per cent in the Republic, 14 per cent in the North and 46 per cent in Britain perceive the peace process as "still continuing"

Only 18 per cent of respondents in the Republic, 26 per cent in Northern Ireland and 10 per cent in Britain see the process as "finished for good". While 50 per cent of Protestants in Northern Ireland describe the peace process as stalled, 31.9 per cent think it is finished.

Asked to apportion blame for the breakdown of the ceasefire, some 46 per cent of respondents in the Republic blame the British government, 29 per cent the IRA, 13 per cent the Ulster Unionists and 6 per cent the Irish Government.

In Northern Ireland 61 per cent of all respondents and 88.9 per cent of Protestants blame the IRA 25 per cent, including 18.9 per cent of Protestants, blame the British government and 5 per cent, including 10.8 per cent of Protestants, the Ulster Unionists.

In Britain, some 58 per cent blame the IRA, 20 per cent their own government, 11 per cent the Irish Government and 8 per cent the unionists.

There is strong support in the three jurisdictions for the British government to set an early date for all party talks and for a resumption of the IRA ceasefire.

Asked who should make the first move to resume the peace process, 46 per cent in the Republic, 27 per cent in Northern Ireland and 26 per cent in Britain want Mr Major to set an early date for talks. Some 32 per cent in the Republic, 62 per cent in the North and 38 per cent in Britain want the IRA to make the first move by restoring the ceasefire.

One third of voters in the three jurisdictions believe Sinn Fein participation in all party talks should be conditional on a resumption of the IRA ceasefire. Though there is strong support for gradual decommissioning, only 10 per cent of respondents in the Republic, 31 per cent in Northern Ireland and 28 per cent in Britain believe all IRA weapons should be decommissioned before the start of talks.

The poll shows that the over whelming majority of voters in the Republic no longer views a united Ireland as their preferred solution for the North. Thirty per cent favour it, while 55 per cent of respondents in Northern Ireland would prefer to see Northern Ireland remaining part of the UK.

In Britain, 32 per cent of respondents see an independent Northern Ireland as their preferred option.

Four fifths or more of the respondents in the three surveys believe the Border no longer matters. Eighty nine per cent in the Republic, 80 per cent in the North and 81 per cent in Britain think that the Border is not worth risking lives for. Only seven per cent of voters in the Republic, 17 per cent in Northern Ireland and 6 per cent in Britain believe people should be prepared to fight for the Border if necessary.

There is little support for the British Prime Minister's proposal for an early election in Northern Ireland to an assembly which would discuss a settlement. It is favoured by 23 per cent of people in the Republic, 33 per cent in the North and 30 per cent in Britain.

THE poll was conducted in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and in Britain on Thursday and Friday last on behalf of The Irish Times and The Guardian.

In the Republic, the poll was conducted by MRBI Limited. Coopers & Lybrand conducted the poll in Northern Ireland and in Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) ICM Limited conducted the poll. The same questions were asked of all respondents.