A new survey has found that three quarters of Irish people think that online privacy is important.
However the research, commissioned by Microsoft, also found that just over 70% of people think they should not have to give up privacy and freedom to ensure safety from crime and terrorism.
Microsoft is currently embroiled in a legal battle in the US to try to stop attempts by federal authorities there from using a criminal warrant to force it to hand over emails and other data held in a data centre in Dublin.
The tech company argues the US government cannot reach across international borders to seize personal data, without regard to and respect of local privacy laws.
The case is being seen by tech multinationals as a major threat to their ability to offer data storage services which are hosted in data centres outside of the US.
As part of its campaign on the issue, Microsoft commissioned Amárach Research to carry out a study of attitudes to online privacy in Ireland among a group of 1,000 adults.
The survey found two thirds had seen or heard recent news items about online privacy being compromised, and this had made them feel less safe online.
86% of respondents said there needs to be a balance between the ability to fight crime and the constitutional right to privacy, although three quarters said Irish people should not have to give up privacy and freedom for safety from crime and terrorism.
A large majority agreed that personal information stored in the cloud deserves the same privacy protections as personal information stored on paper, and when seizing personal information stored online, gardaí should have to follow the same legal requirements as they would for accessing paper based data.
There was also strong support for Ireland's prioritisation of the protection of personal privacy and data, with certainty for citizens and foreign companies in Ireland cited as an important consideration.
89% agreed that foreign governments should not be able to demand personal information stored in Ireland without liaising with the Government, and that they should also follow agreed procedures set out in international treaties to obtain evidence and other information here.
A large majority of respondents also said they agreed that a foreign company operating in Ireland should be subject to Irish laws on providing online data, and not the laws of the country in which the same company is headquartered.
On Tuesday, the Government sought the support of the European Commission in determining whether EU data protection laws would be breached if the US authorities seized data here on foot of a court order.
The Government is concerned that Irish privacy laws could also be broken if it allowed the US authorities access personal data held in Ireland.
