People in the Republic are deeply pessimistic about the prospects for peace in Northern Ireland, with only 9 per cent of citizens polled believing that an agreement can be reached by May, according to a Sunday Independent/IMS opinion poll published yesterday.
While 22 per cent believe an agreement is possible this year, 60 per cent do not think there will be an agreement.
If there is an agreement, 48 per cent favour internment for loyalist or republican paramilitaries violently opposing it, with 30 per cent against internment.
The poll shows little change in the popularity of the political parties. Voting intentions compared with the last IMS poll of December 18th are: Fianna Fail 54 per cent (down two); Fine Gael 24 per cent (up two); Labour 12 per cent (unchanged); Greens 3 per cent (up one); Sinn Fein 3 per cent (up one); PDs 2 per cent (down one); Democratic Left 1 per cent (unchanged); and others 1 per cent (down one).
Government satisfaction remains high at 68 per cent, up marginally, as does satisfaction with the Taoiseach at 74 per cent.
On the controversy over the Army hearing loss compensation claims, 36 per cent blame solicitors for the Government's predicament, 20 per cent blame the soldiers making the claims, 19 per cent blame the Army High Command, 14 per cent say it is the Government's fault and 11 per cent don't know.