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Mon 11 Nov 2008Public attitudes to the Lisbon Treaty
TODAY'S Irish Times/TNSmrbi opinion poll findings on the Lisbon Treaty provide the first chink of optimism that voters may be willing to support the treaty in a fresh referendum if it is modified to allow Ireland retain an EU commissioner and if Irish concerns about neutrality, abortion and taxation are clarified in special declarations.
Definite swings among middle-class and middle-aged voters in support of the treaty compared with last June's referendum show that modifications along these lines could be acceptable to the electorate. These findings should strengthen the Government's political confidence and resolve as it prepares a strategy on Lisbon for next month's European Council.
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