EU/ IRELAND: Almost 80 per cent of Irish people believe the State needs immigrants, according to a Eurobarometer poll published yesterday.
Among EU member-states, Ireland, Sweden and Luxembourg showed the highest level of acceptance for immigration, with overwhelming majorities agreeing with the statement, "We need immigrants to work in some sectors of our economy."
Almost three out of four Irish respondents agreed that legal immigrants should have exactly the same rights as Irish people.
More than 80 per cent of Irish people questioned said all EU countries should apply the same rules in assessing asylum-seekers.
The survey found that most Europeans favour a common European immigration and asylum policy and that a clear majority favours giving equal rights to legal immigrants.
More than 80 per cent of EU citizens polled said, however, that border controls between the EU and non-EU states should be strengthened after 10 new countries join the Union on May 1st.
