Catholics are more likely to vote to remain within the European Union than Protestants, a survey has found.
The latest Brexit poll carried out in Northern Ireland has once again revealed a strong pro-remain position.
The May survey carried out by Belfast market research agency Millward Brown Ulster indicates that 56% of adults intending to vote in the referendum will choose to remain in the European Union, while 26% say they will vote to leave, with 18% still undecided.
The results show a slight increase in support for remaining within the EU, with a 1% increase on the previous month's figures. In the same time frame support for the leave vote is down by 3%.
The survey which encompasses 110 electoral districts in the North states that females are more likely than males to wish to maintain the status quo, with 60% of women surveyed indicating they would vote to stay and 17% would vote to leave. The contrast is less striking in the male vote with 52% in favour of staying and 34% for leaving Europe.
In terms of religion, Catholics are more likely to vote to remain within the EU in comparison to Protestants. Of those surveyed 70% of Catholics said they would vote to stay within the EU compared to 41% of Protestants, 38% of whom state they wish to leave compared to just 12% of Catholics.
An aspiration to remain within the EU is the predominant sentiment across all age groups, although the strength of support to remain in the EU depreciates with age.
The wider UK opinion polls indicate that the outcome will be decided by fine margins. The latest polls indicate an increase in support for the leave movement. As a direct consequence bookmakers have shortened their odds on the chance of a Brexit. A vote to remain in the EU however, is still seen by the bookies as the most likely outcome.
