Irish politicians are more pro-European than Irish voters, and Fine Gael and Labour politicians are significantly more pro-European than ordinary members of their parties.
A study by Michael Courtney of the political science department at Trinity College Dublin shows that while 45% of Irish voters believe European Union integration has gone too far, just 18% of TDs and senators are likely to say the same.
Courtney’s analysis is based on the 2011 Irish election study, which canvassed 2,000 Irish voters, and the Irish comparative candidate survey 2011, which polled TDs and senators.
The results show that politicians in Fine Gael and Labour are significantly more pro-European those who vote for their parties. Fine Gael TDs and senators are three times more likely to be pro-European