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There has been a sharp increase in the number of Irish people
putting economic growth above protection of the environment.
More than 60% of Irish people answered 'Yes' when asked whether
'Economic growth must be a priority for Ireland, even if
it affects the environment'. This compares with 44% for
the same question in Spring 2008.
The figures come from the latest EU-wide attitude study (Eurobarometer)
and support the similar recent data coming from across the
EU. There has been a sharp increase in the proportion of Europeans
putting growth ahead of environmental protection - but the
change has occurred at a faster pace in Ireland than elsewere.
Irish people also consider climate change much less of a
priority (38%) for the EU than some of our neighbours - such
as Sweden (70%), Denmark (67%) or Austria (62%). Ireland ranks
in the lower half of EU countries for this question, with
the EU average being 44%.
Respondents were also asked whether they thought that the
EU is indispensable in tackling global problems such as climate
change. The answers show that fewer people in Ireland than
in any other EU country thought so - just 47% of Irish people
agreed that EU action was key, while the EU average was 75%
with many countries scoring higher again.
To download the executive summary - Click
Here [186KB]
To download the full study - Click
Here [2MB]
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