IRISH PEOPLE REMAIN generally positive towards the euro despite the ongoing turmoil over the currency’s future, according to a new poll.

The CNN/ComRes poll found that over half of Irish people believe that it was a good decision for Ireland to join the euro.

Similarly less than a third of respondents believed Ireland would have been better off if the country had never joined the euro.

The poll was carried out in seven eurozone countries during this week.

It found that while wealthier nations, such as France and Germany, saw the eurozone as having a negative effect on their economies, Ireland and other bailout recipients were generally positive about it.

The vast majority of Irish respondents believed that countries should work together to make sure the currency survives – but with some limitations.

A massive 89 per cent of people said that eurozone countries need to work closely with each other to ensure the euro survives – but just over one third were in favour of a United States of Europe-style organisation.

34 per cent of respondents said they would like to see a federal Europe, while 44 per cent against it. 22 per cent of respondents didn’t know.

Close to a  a majority would like to see a discussion about whether Ireland should stay in the Euro.

49 per cent said that they’d like to see a “serious and tough review” of Ireland’s membership of the Euro but not withdraw immediately. Just 9  per cent said they’d like to withdraw from the euro as soon as possible. 37 per cent said they’d like to continue to be a member of the euro indefinitely.

A total of  27 per cent of respondents said that the Irish economy would be in a better position had the country not joined the euro. Just under half – 49 per cent – of people disagreed while 24 per cent didn’t know.