The unemployment crisis will be the top issue for Irish voters in the upcoming European election campaign, it was revealed tonight.
A European-wide poll found the Irish were the second most interested in the June EU elections, behind Greece.
Economic growth and crime are the top concerns of Irish voters, with 84 per cent of people saying unemployment would prove to be a key election theme.
The country’s unemployment rate stands at 11 per cent, with economists predicting that could rise as high as almost 15 per cent next year.
The Eurobarometer revealed 61 per cent of voters said they were interested in the election - compared with the EU average of 44 per cent - and 45 per cent said they would definitely or are very likely to cast their ballot - 11 per cent higher than the average.
Less than a quarter of Irish people feel the country should adopt its own measures to tackle the economic crisis, with 46 per cent backing a co-ordinated European-wide approach.
Nonetheless, 30 per cent of people do not know if such a move would work.
The European elections will be held on June 5th.
PA