ALMOST two thirds of Irish people support a single European currency, according a survey of the European Commission, making Ireland one of the most enthusiastic supporters of EMU and the European Union.
The survey shows that 66 per cent support the single currency, while 19 per cent are opposed to EMU. Significantly, only 20 per cent believe about the new currency, the euro.
Just over 1,000 people were polled by Lansdowne Market Research for the Eurobarometer survey.
The survey also shows that Ireland has the highest support level for EU membership, with 76 per cent believing that the EU is a good thing, compared to the EU average of 48 per cent.
And 86 per cent of those polled in Ireland felt that the country had benefited from EU membership - over twice the average 42 per cent response in the rest of the EU.
On common defence arrangements, half of those surveyed in Ireland felt the EU should have a common defence and military policy. But when asked whether defence issues should be dealt with by the national government or jointly by the EU and member states, over two thirds felt that defence issues should be left in the hands of the national government with just over a quarter favouring an EU involvement.
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