An overwhelming majority of voters, 71 per cent, believes a referendum should be held on the issue of joining the NATO-led Partnership for Peace, according to the latest Irish Times/MRBI opinion poll published today.
A large majority, 62 per cent, also agrees that Ireland should join PfP to engage in joint peacekeeping exercises.
With the arrival of 288 refugees in Cork, Kerry and Dublin this week, some 30 per cent of voters would be prepared to accommodate 1,000-1,500 Kosovans in Ireland. A total of 27 per cent would accept more than 1,500 refugees.
Public opinion is fairly evenly divided on NATO military actions in Serbia and the possibility of using ground forces in Kosovo. Some 46 per cent of voters support the NATO military actions in Serbia; 42 per cent oppose them; and 12 per cent don't know.
Some 45 per cent support the use of ground forces in Kosovo; 41 per cent oppose it; and 14 per cent don't know.
The poll, dealing with foreign relations questions, was conducted among a national quota sample of 1,000 electors at 100 sampling points in all constituencies throughout the State last Monday.
The overwhelming desire for a referendum on the proposal to join PfP this autumn will cause some surprise in Government circles. The Department of Foreign Affairs plans to publish an information paper on PfP in the next 10 days.
The question of holding a referendum on the issue, however, has been dismissed by the minority Coalition on the grounds that membership of PfP does not infringe Ireland's neutrality.
Successive governments have adopted the view that a referendum will be held only if there is a proposal to change Ireland's policy of military neutrality.
Large majorities in all parties, regions and age groups comprise the 71 per cent of voters who want a referendum on the proposed membership. Only 18 per cent believe there should not be a referendum on the question. Some 11 per cent don't know.
The party breakdown in favour of a referendum is Fianna Fail 71 per cent, Fine Gael 72 per cent, Labour 79 per cent, Progressive Democrats 75 per cent and Others 72 per cent.
While voters want a referendum, however, a substantial majority of 62 per cent are prepared to join the NATO-led PfP to engage in peace-keeping exercises. Some 25 per cent believe Ireland should not be prepared to join and 13 per cent don't know.
Some 66 per cent of Fianna Fail and 78 per cent of PD supporters are among those who would agree to join PfP. A majority of 62 per cent of Labour supporters also support membership.
The poll indicates that the Government's commitment to accept 1,000 Kosovan refugees into Ireland is in keeping with the public mood.
Some 8 per cent of voters would be prepared to accommodate no refugees from Kosovo in Ireland; 3 per cent would accommodate up to 100; 8 per cent 100-500; 17 per cent 500-1,000; 30 per cent 1,000-1,500; 27 per cent more than 1,500; and 7 per cent don't know.
