#1 [url]

Jun 25 08 12:47 PM

Irish voters show support for EU



Less than two weeks ago, the Irish brought despair and chaos to Brussels by comprehensively rejecting the new Lisbon Treaty.

Yesterday, they were confirmed as one of the European Union’s staunchest fans and beneficiaries.

The complex love-hate relationship between Irish citizens and the EU emerges in the European Commission’s latest public opinion survey. This revealed that 82 per cent of Irish voters — more than any other EU member — believe the country has prospered by being in the union. In second place came electorates with deep eurosceptic roots: Denmark and Poland with 77 per cent.

The EU also conjures up happy images among the Irish public: two thirds consider it to be a positive force. Only Romania (67 per cent), which joined 18 months ago, has a stronger appreciation level.

"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." ~~John 15:5~~