WITHOUT A shadow of doubt, the figures revealed in the Hot Press/Classic Hits 98FM survey will give politicians, priests, lawyers, legislators, educators and gardai pause for thought.

Hopefully, however, they will go further than this by beginning the process of re-evaluation which must take place if the institutions of this State, and indeed the other major institutions, are to regain the respect of young people. In this light it is worth pointing out to begin with that in many ways the views expressed are quite mainstream. It will come as little surprise that John Hume and Mary Robinson are the favourite political leaders – though Mary Robinson might be forced to dispute the description – in this country, and that party leaders like Dick Spring and Bertie Ahern figure highly. It is important, then, to see the views reflected on other issues against this essentially safe and predictable backdrop.

It has been a bad time recently for the Catholic Church with one scandal following another, the Fr Brendan Smyth affair bringing down the Government and the accusations regarding paedophile priests mounting. But this poll was launched before the Brendan Smyth affair became public, and its impact on the opinions expressed here will therefore have been minor. It must be all the more sobering for Church leaders, then, to be confronted with such a damning indictment, from such a strongly representative segment of young Irish people, of everything they stand for, and have stood for, in this country.

71% of respondents believe that the influence of religion on Irish society is a negative or a very negative one.

52% of respondents believe that the Churches’ role in schools should be strictly controlled by the State, or that it should have no role at all.

83% believe that sex education in Irish schools is either “inadequate” or “completely inadequate”.

92% believe that on issues of sexuality the influence of the Catholic Church is either “negative” or “very negative”.

96% support the introduction of divorce in Ireland in some form.

80% believe that abortion should be legalised in Ireland (32% “under certain circumstances only”).

77% believe that homosexual or lesbian couples should be allowed to marry legally.

54% believe that gay couples should be permitted to adopt children.

53% always use a condom when having sex.

77% of respondents have had sexual intercourse and 78% have engaged in oral sex (among other popular sexual practices), though only 12% are married.

16% of those polled have been sexually assaulted, abused or raped.

32% of male homosexuals who have been sexually assaulted, abused or raped were violated by members of the clergy.

75% of respondents know someone among their family, close circle of friends or acquaintances who has committed suicide.

81% of respondents view suicide to be legitimately a personal decision.

There is much heartbreak reflected in these figures. But there is also, more importantly I feel, a new sense of openness, honesty and truthfulness. The views of young people in Ireland, as reflected in this survey, suggest that the days of equivocation, hypocrisy and drawing a discreet – a code word more often than not for dishonest – veil over the reality of how things stand are on the wane.

It is only by embracing the truth about ourselves that we can finally become the decent, loving, confident, joy-affirming people that we sometimes believe ourselves to be. We will never escape the terrible mysteries of birth, life and death. We cannot. But we can learn to embrace life and love as they should be embraced.

I believe the results of this poll suggest that we have taken a major step in that direction.

• Niall Stokes

Editors

Q. 1 Ireland’s membership of the EC/EU is: . . .

78% of those polled believe that membership of the EU is a “good thing”. The highest approval rate is among 19 to 29 year olds, at 80%. An overwhelming 89% of homosexuals polled also believe that it is a good thing. Only 11% feel that membership of the EU is “a bad thing”.

Q. 2 I would like to see a United Ireland:

(in the next 2 years/ next 5 years/ next 20 years/ sometime in the future/never):

85% would like to see a united Ireland “at some time in the future”. Second highest support (21%) was for a United Ireland within the next two years, the highest support for this being among the under 18-year-olds (33%).

Q. 3 Sinn Féin should be admitted to political discussions:

To an extent, events have overtaken this question. However, 25%

of those polled believe that Sinn Féin should not be admitted to political talks until the IRA relinquishes its weapons. The highest support for this view was among under 18s (29%) and among students (30%).

Q. 4 The biggest stumbling block to a peaceful settlement in the North is created by:

Here, 42% cite Unionist politicians as being the biggest stumbling block; 35% blame the paramilitaries of both sides (equally), and 22% blame organised religion.

Q. 5 The Sellafield Nuclear Reprocessing Plant should . . .

A large majority of 73% believe that the Sellafield Nuclear Reprocessing Plant should be shut down completely. Another 20% agree that it should have its activities scaled down.

Q. 6 The effects of radiation from Sellafield are . . .

67% of respondents believe that the effects of radiation from Sellafield are a major concern. A further 27% believe that they are of some concern, adding up to 94% who feel threatened by the location of the Nuclear Reprocessing Plant. The highest level of concern is registered among under 18s, at 98%.

Q. 7 The possibility of a nuclear accident (like Chernobyl) taking place at Sellafield is . . .

The possibility of a nuclear accident at Sellafield is of concern to 92%, with 65% seeing it as a major concern. Among under 18s, 73% see it as a major concern.

Q. 8 On the whole, Irish politicians are . . .

63% of respondents believe that, on the whole, Irish politicians are dishonest. Only 18% believe that they are honest.

Q. 9 Who is your favourite political figure?

From a huge range of choices – there were votes for Charlie Haughey, Liz O’Donnell and even Screaming Lord Sutch – the top five were: (1) John Hume, (2) Mary Robinson, (3) Michael D. Higgins, (4) Gerry Adams and (5) Dick Spring. There is some comfort for Bertie Ahern, who comes in seventh (while he was Minister for Finance). Most popular among under 18s is Mary Robinson, followed by John Hume and Dick Spring.

Q. 10 Do you have a political ‘hate figure’? If so, who is it?

No prizes for guessing the 1, 2, 3 here, though Dick Spring and Gerry Adams will be bemused at being almost as loathed as they are loved. Top of the hate list is Ian Paisley, followed by (2) Albert Reynolds, (3) John Bruton, (4) Dick Spring and (5) Gerry Adams.

Q. 11 Regarding unemployment, the Government . . .

A large majority of respondents (73%) believe that the Government is not doing enough to combat unemployment, while 21% accept that it is doing as much as it can.

Q. 12 Social Welfare Unemployment Benefits should be . . .

At 42% there is a surprisingly wide acceptance of the view that social welfare and unemployment benefits should be more rigorously monitored and controlled. Added to 15% who feel that they should be given only to those who work on community projects, 57% would favour a tighter regime; 37% feel that they should be increased, the largest group supporting this view being the unemployed, at 52%.

Q. 13 Regarding the Garda Siochana, in their role as protectors of the public, do you have . . .

29% of respondents have a low degree or no confidence in the Gardai, but an almost equal number, 28% have a high degree or total confidence in the Gardai. Forty-two percent express an ambivalent view, saying that they have “some confidence”.

Q. 14 Regarding drugs:

According to 55% of respondents, cannabis should be legalised (more men than women taking this view at 58% and 48% respectively), and 12% believe that all drugs should be legalised. Only 29% believe that the laws criminalising cannabis, ecstasy, LSD, heroin and other narcotics are right. This view is supported by 40% of under 18s.

Q. 15 Should corporal punishment be reinstated as a punishment for law-breaking?

Surprisingly, 28% believe that corporal punishment should be reinstated as a punishment for law-breaking. This idea has least acceptance among under-18s, only 15% of whom agree. Predictably, a considerably higher number of men than women endorse the idea.

Q. 16 The Irish Courts are . . .

An equal number of people believe that the Irish courts are not worthy of respect as believe that they are worthy of respect – both 38% – with 24% in the don’t know/no opinion category. Among under-18s, the greater number feel that the courts are not worthy of respect, 41% against 35%.

Q. 17 State censorship of books, videos and films is . . .

A total of 72% of those polled believe that State censorship of books, videos and films is either unnecessary or completely unacceptable, with 39% viewing it as completely unacceptable. Among under 18s the rejection of all censorship goes up to 74%. Only 4% see it as completely acceptable rather than the somewhat equivocatory ‘necessary’. More women support the latter viewpoint at 30%.

Q. 18 Ireland is . . .

Ninety-five of those polled believe that Ireland – despite the inadequacies hinted at elsewhere – is either a very good place to live or a fairly good place to live. As many as 32% believe it is “a very good place to live”.

Q. 19 Divorce in Ireland should . . .

There is 96% support for divorce being introduced in some form; 64% agree that it should be made “fully legal now”, while 32% endorse a more cautious stance, saying that it should be made legal “under certain circumstances only”. The lowest support came from under 18s, only 49% of whom felt that it should be “made fully legal” now, though 92% of under 18s support its legalisation.

Q. 20 Abortion in Ireland should . . .

In what is potentially one of the controversial findings a total of 80% supported the view that abortion should be legalised in Ireland. Thirty-four percent believe that it should be made fully legal now; 46% believe that it should be made legal ‘under certain circumstances only’. Only 18% are opposed to the legalisation of abortion.

Q. 21 Prostitution in Ireland should . . .

The majority, 66%, believe that prostitution should be legalised while only 30% believe that it should remain illegal. There is a significant divergence between men and women, but 53% of women do ensorse a change in the law. It is significant that the level of agreement among respondents that prostitution should be legalised increases with age.

Q. 22 Should gay/lesbian couples be allowed to be legally married?

A very significant majority, 77%, believe that homosexual or lesbian couples should be allowed to be legally married. Only 13% oppose this idea, reflecting a very high acceptance level, which is carried across age, sex and gender boundaries at almost the same level.

Q. 23 Should gay/lesbian couples be allowed to adopt children?

This question proved slightly more divisive but the majority in favour is still substantial – 54% for, 30% against, with 16% expressing no opinion. Again these figures carry across the age, sex and class barriers, with a slightly higher acceptance rate among women and under 18s.

Q. 24 Have you ever lived abroad?

Just a slight difference in numbers replying to this question, with 51% never having lived abroad while 49% have.

Q. 25 Have you ever considered emigrating?

Over three-quarters of respondents (77%) have considered emigrating, while only 23% have not.

Q. 26 Should specific beaches be allocated for nude bathing in Ireland?

Q. 27 Should nude bathing be permitted in (Dublin area/popular holiday resorts/remote beaches only)?

Q. 28 Would you participate if nude bathing was allowed?

An overwhelming 90% believe that specific beaches should be allocated for nude bathing. Again, there is very slight variation across age, sex and class barriers. The highest opposition is among under 18s at just 17%. A significant 48% believe that nude bathing should be allowed in popular holiday resorts, and 72% say that they would, or they might, participate.

Q. 29 Do you go to Mass/religious service?

Only 15% go to mass/religious service every Sunday or Sabbath day or more often. This drops from 34% of under 18s, to 10% in the 19–29 age bracket

Q. 30 The influence of religion on Irish society is . . .

A tiny 2% think that the influence of religion on Irish society is a very positive one, with just 1% among the under 18s coming to this conclusion. 71% think it is either a negative or a very negative influence.

Q. 31 The Church’s role in schools should be . . .

52% believe that the Church’s role in schools should be strictly controlled by the State, or that it should have not role at all. Only 5% believe that it should have a major role.

Q. 32 Regarding entry to third level education, the current points system is . . .

Not very good or no good at all, according to 60%, with an even more damning 67% of under 18s supporting that view.

Q. 33 Grant aid for third level education should be . . .

A significant majority of 72% think that third level grant aid should be available to all students. 17% are in favour of maintaining the current structure, and just 8% would like to see it reduced in order to lessen the drain on taxpayers.

Q. 34 Who should be responsible for housework in the home?

An overwhelming 98% acknowledge that housework should be a matter of shared responsibility between men and women.

Q. 35 In Ireland, equality of the sexes . . .

Equality among the sexes is slowly becoming a reality, according to 77% of respondents.

Q. 36 The Irish authorities’ response to the AIDS crisis has been . . .

66% believe that the Irish authorities’ response to the AIDS crisis has been either inadequate or completely inadequate. This figure rises to 71% among homosexuals.

Q. 37 Regarding suicide:

Among respondents, 51% admit to having considered attempting to take their own life. 9% of respondents have attempted suicide.. The numbers of those who have “considered suicide” are highest among under 18s (57%), women (58%) and gays (60%).

Q. 38 Do you know somebody who has committed suicide?

75% know – or knew – somebody who has committed suicide either among their family, close circle of friends or acquaintances. The figure is noticably higher among homosexuals at 82%.

Q. 39. Do you consider suicide to be a crime, immoral or legitimately a personal decision?

A huge majority – 81% – of people polled considered suicide to be legitimately a personal decision. The strongest support for this view is among women, at 88%.

Q. 40 Regarding homosexual activities the Irish are . . .

63% consider the Irish to be sexually conservative. Only 5% feel that they are liberal, while 28% believe that they are no different to any other nationality.

Q. 41 Sex education in Irish schools is . . .

Inadequate, or completely inadequate, according to a huge majority of 83%. Significantly, 54% of under-18s believe that it is “completely inadequate”. Only 2% consider it to be “completely adequate”.

Q. 42 On the issue of sexuality, the influence of the Catholic Church is . . .

On the issue of sexuality, 92% believe that the influence of the Catholic Church is negative or very negative. This view is most prevalent among women (93%), those co-habiting (99%) and those who are widowed/separated (100%).

Q. 43 Have you ever been unfaithful to your current spouse/long term partner?

Approximately one-third of people (35%) admit that they have been unfaithful, with the number steadily increasing with age. Five percent of under-18s have been unfaithful, rising to 17% (19–29 yrs.), 24% (30–39 yrs) and 29% (40+). Almost an equal number of gay people admitted to being unfaithful.

Q. 44 When having sexual intercourse, do you use condoms?

53% of respondents state that they always use a condom, the largest percentage being the under-18s, at 65%. The number is higher among women (55%) than among men (52%).

Q. 45 In the context of sexual behaviour, the best way to protect oneself from the possibility of AIDS is . . .

67% of women surveyed believe that the best way to protect oneself from AIDS in the context of sexual behaviour, is by “being open to more than one sexual partner but practising safe sex”, or “practising safe sex irrespective of the number of partners”. The overall number giving this reply was 63%. At 54%, the highest percentage of people who believe that “practising safe sex irrespective of the number of partners is the best way to protect oneself from the possibility of AIDS” is among those who are married.

Q. 46 Which of these sexual practices have you engaged in?

Oral sex is apparently more common than intercourse. The numbers who have engaged in the key sexual practices are as follows: Oral Sex 78%; Intercourse 77%; Masturbation 79%; Manual Stimulation/Heavy Petting 79%; Anal Sex 24%; S&M 8%. Exposure to all types of sexual activity increases with age. Among under 18s, the figures are Oral Sex 45%; Intercourse 43%; Manual Stimulation/Heavy Petting 66%; Masturbation 55%.

Q. 47 Which form of sexual activity gives you the most pleasure?

Intercourse remains the favourite choice at 43% against 26% for oral sex; manual stimulation/heavy petting 12%; masturbation 6%; anal sex 3%; S & M 1%.

Q. 48 Have you ever paid for sex?

Only 9% admit to having paid for sex, with 12% of men saying they have. The number of bi-sexuals having paid for sex is three times higher than homosexuals (8%) or heterosexuals (7%). However, 54% – over half – of those who are widowed/separated have paid for sex. Surely a very strong statement of people’s need for sex.

Q. 49 Would you ever pay for sex?

Overall 17% of respondents say they would, while 55% say they would not pay for sex. Among the 30–39 age group, those would or don’t know totalled 51% as against 45% who would not. The highest percentages of those who would pay or don’t know are among those who are married (55%) and those who are widowed/separated (69%).

Q. 50 Have you ever been sexually assaulted, sexually abused or raped?

16% of those polled say that they have been sexually assaulted, sexually abused or raped; 10% of under-18s state they have been so abused.

Q. 51 Did you know your attacker or abuser?

Where attack took place?

73% of those who answered yes, knew their attacker.

The highest number of attacks (31%) took place at home.

Q. 52 Was the attacker or abuser a parent, relative, other layperson, member of a religious order or other clergy?

31% of attackers or abusers were relatives, while 12% were members of religious orders. For homosexuals this rises to 32%, suggesting strongly that clerics are generally more interested in boys.

Q. 53 Did you at any stage report this attack to anyone?

A staggering 47% never reported being sexually assaulted to anyone. Only 2% reported the attack to Gardai and only 11% spoke to a doctor/medical person/counsellor.