Public Opinion Poll

Sept 2010

Must be Included with Publication

RED C interviewed a random sample of 1005 adults aged 18+ by telephone between the 4th & 6th Oct 2010.

A random digit dial (RDD) method is used to ensure a random selection process of households to be included – this also ensures that ex-directory households are covered.

Half of the sample are interviewed using an RDD landline sample, with the other half conducted using an RDD mobile phone sample, this ensures 98% coverage of the population reaching landline only households, mobile only households and those with both a landline and a mobile.

Interviews were conducted across the country and the results weighted to the profile of all adults.

The Irish public believe foreign institutions such as the ECB and the IMF are more capable of solving the economic crisis in Ireland than the financial spokesmen for each of the main political parties in Ireland.

However they are still sure that those institutions are capable of solving the crisis either. Under a third (30%) believe that the ECB is capable of solving the crisis, while 29% believe the IMF is capable.

Of the main party spokespeople Brian Lenihan is seen as most capable, although conversely he is also at the same time seen as incapable by just under half of all adults.

Joan Burton for Labour comes next with 23% seeing her as capable as opposed to 44% seeing her as incapable. Finally Michael Noonan trails in last place, with only just over 1 in 5 (21%) seeing him as capable of solving the crisis.

Cuts in public sector pay and capital spending are the areas that most people would consider first for cuts in the next budget. Almost a quarter of the public would choose public sector pay first, with over half suggesting they would include public sector pay in the cuts.

Increase in taxes on fuel, alcohol and tobacco are next in line for cuts as far as the public are concerned with just over half saying this is where they would increase taxes. New taxes on water and property not far behind.

Income tax is far down the list, suggesting the public will not be happy if taxes are made here. Just 8% suggest that they would implement these taxes before others, and only 2 in 5 (42%) would include them at all.

Cut in social welfare payments are also low on the list of priority for the public, with again just 2 in 5 suggesting they would make cuts here, and the same number also suggesting they would avoid cuts here if at all possible.

Key Findings

37 3748 44 46

30 29 28 23 21

How capable would you consider each of the following in solving Ireland’s economic crisis?

Capable

Not capable

Don’t know/Unsure

The ECB%

33 34 24 3333

The IMF%

BrianLenihan

%

JoanBurton

%

MichaelNoonan

%

NET -7 -8 -20 -25-21

(Base: All Adults aged 18+)

40

27

24

20

16

22

16

8

14

17

16

24

24

34

33

34

39

32

What the public would prioritise in the budget?(Base: All adults 18+)

PUBLIC ATTITUDE TO IMPLEMENTATION

Avoid%

First%

At All%

56

55

52

47

42

40

Public sector pay cuts

Higher income taxes

Capital Spending cuts

Social welfare payments

Increases in existing taxes such as fuel, alcohol & tobacco

New taxes – e.g. water, property