The Irish Times has reported that an overwhelming majority of Irish voters want the UK to remain in the European Union, according to the latest Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll.
It also shows strong support in this country for the demands of British prime minister David Cameron for changes in the way the EU operates.
However, a large majority of voters believe that Ireland should remain in the EU regardless of whether or not the UK decides to leave.
Three–quarters of those polled want the UK to remain in the EU with only 13 per cent saying they would like to see our nearest neighbours leaving.
Supporters of all parties want Britain to stay in the EU with Fine Gael and Labour voters being the most enthusiastic and even among Sinn Féin voters there is a majority of more than two to one in favour of the UK remaining in the EU.
Ireland’s EU membership
Asked whether or not Ireland should remain a member of the EU if Britain leaves, 74 per cent said we should stay, 15 per cent said we should leave and 11 per cent had no opinion.
Sinn Féin voters are much more inclined than supporters of other parties to say Ireland should follow the British out of the EU if they decide to go.