Research commissioned by the Electoral Commission reveals a substantial subset of the Irish populace subscribes to various conspiracy theories, including notions of a covert global leadership, fraudulent actions by the scientific community, and rampant unauthorised experimental procedures being administered on the public. These findings surfaced through studies executed prior to and following the latest family and care referendums, both which saw significant opposition from voters.
Research was compiled by Red C, a public opinion polling firm, that conducted two separate surveys involving over 1,000 participants each prior to the referendums. An extensive exit poll was performed by Ipsos B&A on the day of voting with over 3,000 participants. The Electoral Commission, a newly formed government body tasked with overseeing elections and referendums, disclosed these findings last week. Survey questions included inquiries on the recent referendums, political and socio-cultural perspectives, as well as participant attitudes towards common conspiracy theories.
Among a range of these conspiracy theories, a sizeable portion felt they were either “undoubtedly factual” or “plausibly factual”. For instance, 10% of participants indicated their firm belief in the existence of an elusive, omnipotent group taking the reins in worldly political affairs, with an additional 24% regarding this as a probable reality and 20% uncertain. A countering 24% dismissed this theory as false, and a remaining 22% judged it as possibly false.
In a separate question about scientific groups distorting or suppressing evidence to pull wool over the public eyes, 28% regarded this as at least probable, as opposed to the 45% who found it unlikely. A similar poll regarding unsolicited public experiments using innovative drugs or technologies had 24% affirming it as either a concrete or probable fact. Meanwhile, a majority of 52% categorically or potentially disbelieved this claim.
Regarding the notion that alternative remedies are an effective way to tackle chronic illnesses, 30 per cent were inclined toward the belief while 32 per cent were somewhat skeptical. There was a level of uncertainty amongst 38 per cent of the participants. A little over one-fifth of the respondents (21 per cent) had convictions about the Covid-19 vaccine being hazardous and ineffective, whereas 60 per cent were certain or somewhat certain of the opposite.
[Poll reveals a quarter of UK residents consider Covid to be a fabrication, alongside other conspiracy theories]
Further analysis of the data shows that respondents held politicians in low esteem in general. The majority of respondents, nearly 70 per cent, held the view that individuals contesting in elections are primarily concerned about their personal status, authority, and the benefits of being in office. Additionally, 59 per cent concurred with the viewpoint suggesting that politicians focus solely on the issues of the affluent and influential.
A significant majority of over 60 per cent agreed that the populace, not the politicians, should be the key decision-makers regarding vital policies. On the subject of immigration, 62 per cent thought stringent caps should be in place on immigrant numbers in Ireland. However, a near equivalent proportion (57 per cent) voiced the opinion that immigrants contribute positively to the Irish economy.
A mere 26 per cent of respondents agreed with the premise that asylum seekers should enjoy equal access to social services as Irish nationals, while almost half (48 per cent) held the opposite view and 24 per cent chose to remain undecided.
As for current politics, a majority of respondents (54 per cent) perceived the government’s performance as sub-par, yet a considerable minority (39 per cent) had a favourable opinion of its work.