Public Attitudes to Peace Walls (2015)

Public Attitudes to Peace Walls (2015)
Survey Results
Ulster University
3.7 Comparison with the 2012 survey
Since the last survey was conducted in 2012, it is important to note that changes in attitudes since
then will necessarily reflect political and demographic changes that have taken place over the last
three years. It should also be noted that the 2012 survey did not include the Lurgan/Portadown area.
Respondents were asked in both surveys to consider who they felt was most the appropriate
person to keep them informed about issues relating to the peace wall (Table 28). The results
suggest that the key difference surrounds the increase in support for local community
representatives from 29% in 2012 to 43% in 2015, and the subsequent decrease in support for
political representatives, from 29% in 2012 to 16% in 2015.
Table 28: Who would you expect to keep you informed about all issues
related to Peace Walls in your area?
Total response
in 2012 (%)
Total response
in 2015 (%)
Local community reps 28 43
Local political reps 29 16
Local Council 17 20
N.I. Executive 7 6
DoJ 1 2
PSNI 3 3
Other 2 2
Don’t know 7 9
When asked about who wants peace walls removed or kept (Table 29), our results showed that
the key difference relates to attitudes towards the DOJ and OFMdFM. In 2012 (34%) felt that the
OFMdFM wanted them removed, compared to 49% in 2015. Similarly, in 2012 (28%) felt that the
DOJ wanted the peace walls in their community dismantled, compared to 40% in 2015.
Table 29: Who do you think wants the Peace Wall in your community to be removed?
Total response in 2012 (%) Total response in 2015(%)
You personally 38 36
Most local people from this community 20 18
Most local people from the neighbouring
community
18 15
Local Council 35 39
The Office of the First Minister and Deputy First
Minister
34 49
The Department of Justice 28 40
The PSNI 13 19
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