Only 4 per cent of respondents in a survey conducted among its members by Isme, the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association, say they have enough information on the Lisbon Treaty and only 12 per cent would vote Yes if the referendum took place now.
The survey also showed that 88 per cent felt they had insufficient information and a further 88 per cent would either vote No, abstain or else did not know which way they would vote.
The survey results were outlined by Isme chief executive Mark Fielding to the Joint Committee on European Affairs at Leinster House yesterday.
When asked: "Do you have enough information on the proposed EU Reform Treaty to make a considered judgment?", Isme members responded: Yes, 4 per cent; No, 88 per cent; Don't Know, 8 per cent.
Asked: "Are you aware of the implications of the EU Reform Treaty for your business?", the responses were: Yes, 5 per cent; No, 87 per cent; Don't Know, 8 per cent.
Asked: "If you had to vote today, how would you vote?" the responses were: Yes, 12 per cent; No, 19 per cent; Abstain, 10 per cent; Don't Know, 59 per cent.
Mr Fielding said the low level of treaty support at 12 per cent "graphically illustrates the task of government to ensure that the electorate are as informed as possible before voting".
The difficulty was "the sheer magnitude of the treaty and the EU jargon contained in it".
Fianna Fáil TDs Michael Mulcahy and Barry Andrews meanwhile disagreed on speakers from abroad taking part in the campaign.
"Nobody is welcome as far as I'm concerned," Mr Mulcahy said.
Mr Andrews said: "We are all Europeans - it will send out a terribly bad message if we cannot accommodate a person because of their nationality."
