New research shows that Irish citizens are among the most positive in Europe about the EU, despite their rejection of the Lisbon Treaty.
The latest EU-wide Eurobarometer survey was conducted in April and May. The survey is carried out every couple of months in all 27 member states.
The survey showed Ireland topped the list of countries which believed they had benefitted from EU membership; 82% of Irish voters believed Ireland had benefitted, compared to an EU average of 54%.
At 65%, Irish voters were in second place when it came to having a positive image of the EU, compared to 67% in Romania, and an EU average of 48%.
Ireland was also second, at 73%, when it came to belief that Irish membership of the EU was a good thing, compared to 75% in the Netherlands and an EU average of 52%.
The survey was published on the day the Government agreed to commission a research project to clarify the reasons for the No vote.
No further details of the Government's planned research have been announced.
