Opinion Polls

Millward Brown Lansdowne has been conducting political opinion polls and social research surveys since our foundation in 1963. We have covered questions on a huge array of topics and have charted the rise and fall of governments and referendums as well as a range of other subjects for local and national media, domestic and international organisations alike. Opinion polls are the most visible face of our industry to the wider public and the one area where the accuracy of our findings are verified against actual outcomes. We take our role in this field seriously – as accurate measurement of public opinion on an array of topics is an important part of public discourse and public opinion surveys are an important contributor to the publics’ understanding of many of the key issues and electoral decisions they have to make.

Millward Brown Lansdowne pioneered the use of Exit Polls in Ireland and have been commissioned by RTE for every major election since 1997. We have predicted the results each time with remarkable accuracy whilst also revealing the reasons why voters voted the way they did.

We have conducted Exit Polls on behalf of RTE for:

• 1997 general election
• 1997 presidential election
• 2002 general election
• 2004 European elections
• 2007 general election
• 2009 European election

In 2008 we were commissioned by the Department of Foreign Affairs to research the reasons for the rejection of the Lisbon Treaty referendum. The results of this research were used by the Government in its negotiations with the European Council which led to the holding of a second referendum this year. In 2009 we were commissioned again to undertake the polling for the Department of Foreign Affairs following the passing of the Lisbon referendum.

We have also conducted numerous constituency level polls for local and national media and political parties measuring which candidates are most likely to win seats. Social research does not just include political polls. We conduct research for a wide range of other organisations such as government departments and charities looking into areas of public policy much of which is available to the public.

For further information on our Opinion Poll services, please contact James MacCarthy-Morrogh or Roger Jupp.