SEVEN out of 10 Irish people favour a common European defence policy, according to a survey carried out by the European Commission.
Released today, the findings show that the Irish public is the most supportive of the EU, with 78 per cent viewing it positively, compared to a European average of 58 per cent.
Irish people are also the most positive in terms of perceived benefits of EU membership, with 92 per cent considering that the State has benefited, compared to a member state average of 49 per cent.
On the EU Treaty agreed in Amsterdam last week, 70 per cent of respondents said it should be subject to a referendum, while 24 per cent said it should not. The Commission found that in all member states a majority of people favoured a national referendum.
The Amsterdam Treaty was condemned yesterday as "an assault on democracy" by Green MEP Ms Patricia McKenna. She criticised EU leaders for giving the European Parliament a mere consultative role on the most important elements of the treaty, particularly justice and home affairs.
She said it was vital the treaty should be subject to referendums where possible. Otherwise citizens would be denied any real voice in the EU's development.