Research finds many concerns relate to pressure on public services and housing, and majority believe immigration on balance has been a positiveA large majority of people favour a 'more closed' immigration policy to reduce the number of people coming to Ireland, according to the latest Irish Times/Ipsos B&A opinion poll. Illustration: Paul Scott
Almost six in 10 voters favour a “more closed policy” on immigration, with 16 per cent backing a “more open” policy. But a majority of those who express a view believe that immigration has been a positive for Ireland, with 35 per cent saying it has been a negative. Asked if they would be more or less likely to vote for a candidate “who voiced concerns about immigration”, 30 per cent said they would be more likely, 20 per cent said they would be less likely, while 40 per cent said it would make no difference.
Meanwhile, 10 of the people arrested in recent months for attacks on rumoured migrant accommodation live locally to where the attacks were carried out, leading gardaí to conclude that the attacks are not the work of organised groups.