IN ADDITION to the standard questions which monitor public reaction in the political arena, the current Irish Times/MRBI opinion poll also measured the electorate's mood on two topical issues - the continuing abortion debate and the Presidency.
In each case, the question was structured to identify the procedure by which the people wanted the matter handled.
In the first instance, the question was "There has been some discussion of abortion, and a demand for a referendum to resolve the issue. In your opinion, should the question of abortion in Ireland be decided by the Dail through legislation, or should it be decided by another referendum?
At this time, a large majority - two in every three - wish to have the matter again referred to the people by way of another referendum.
However, there is no evidence in the research which shows whether this element is pro or anti abortion; what is clear is that the electorate wishes to have a further say in hopefully resolving the issue.
The implementation of this finding, if taken up, would provide a formidable challenge to his or the next government, and having regard to the widespread confusion which MRBI identified prior to the 1992 referendum on the actual abortion issue, the current reaction of the electorate is not surprising.
In 1992, many electors voted in a manner which was in conflict with their own personal feelings on abortion, and I described this at the time as an unacceptable reflection on the politicians who referred the issue, in the manner of that referendum wording, to the people.
A much greater majority - almost nine in every 10 voters - also feel that there should not be an agreed candidate to replace Mrs Robinson, but that the successful person should be chosen by the people.
The messages are very clear - where the constitutional option exists with the electorate, the people at large wish to avail of their rights, and if the lessons of 1992 are to mean anything, ambiguity and confusion have no place in a constitutional referendum.