
36% of Irish dissatisfied with Ireland's influence in EU
36% of people polled in Ireland are dissatisfied with Ireland's role and influence on EU affairs in Brussels.
That's according to the 2025 European Movement Ireland poll conducted with Amárach Research published today (Thursday, May 8).
The poll reveals a significant majority in Northern Ireland (60%) do not believe that the post-Brexit reset in EU-UK relations has improved Northern Ireland's relationship with the EU, despite the recent bilateral meetings and agreements between leaders in the bloc and the UK Government.
Respondents across the island of Ireland said they would support a united Ireland within the EU, with 67% in Northern Ireland and 62% in Ireland in favour.
However, those against a united Ireland in the EU is higher in the north (27%) compared to the south (16%), while a greater number of people in the Republic of Ireland (22%) say they don't know, in comparison to just 7% in Northern Ireland.
EMI has said that the findings come at a time when Ireland remains underrepresented in EU institutions.
Speaking to EU News Radio, CEO of EMI, Noelle O'Connell said Ireland faces a challenge when it comes to replacing senior Irish people retiring from EU institutions.
'Ireland, we always traditionally would say, as one of the smaller member states population-wise, we have tended to punch above our weight in terms of influence and holding key leadership positions across the EU,' she said.
'Whether that's in the different agencies or institutions or in the commission and the parliament positions of leadership and power.
'Now, as we approach that somewhat of a demographic cliff edge in terms of senior Irish people coming up to retirement age, the challenge is – and I think it's one that the government is very well attuned to – they have the EU jobs strategy to encourage a strong Irish pipeline in terms of EU jobs and careers.
'That is certainly something that we are going to see,' she added.
The poll also revealed that support for Ireland's membership of the EU remains strong in Northern Ireland, rising by 1% to 77% in 2025, compared to 82% in the Republic of Ireland.
Similarly in both jurisdictions, a majority in Northern Ireland (47%) approve of the direction the EU is moving in, though dissatisfaction is higher at 33%, compared to 26% in the ROI, with 19% of respondents in Northern Ireland stating they don't know (27% ROI).
A majority in Northern Ireland (52%) believe the EU is effectively upholding its values, closely aligned with the ROI (51%), though 39% in the north disagree and 9% don't know.
Respondents in Northern Ireland expressed their dissatisfaction with the EU on matters such as, economic and regulatory issues (30%), migration (22%) and militarisation concerns (19%).
Migration was found to be the EU's weakest rated area of performance according to 50% in the north and 51% in the south.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
‘I haven't slept properly since I got here, there are sirens and chaos every night' – Irish woman describes how she sought refuge from LA riots
An Irish woman who was visiting Los Angeles said she had to take refuge in a bar as police and protesters clashed on the streets. As the Trump administration cracks down on immigrants, protests against raids by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spilled out into the wider downtown area of LA, with many shops looted and damaged.

The Journal
an hour ago
- The Journal
Government rejects motion calling on it to stop sale of 'Israeli war bonds'
GOVERNMENT HAS REJECTED a joint-proposal from the opposition which called on the Central Bank to stop facilitating the sale of Israeli bonds within the EU, an issue that has moved up the political agenda in Ireland in recent months. The motion, put forward by the Social Democrats and supported by Sinn Féin, People Before Profit and the Labour Party, sought the reversal of a previous government decision to block a bill calling for the same measure last month . Members of those parties on Monday requested that a free 'vote of conscience' take place on the issue – meaning that government TDs would not have to vote with their party. The motion was defeated this evening 85 to 71 in the government's favour. Israeli State Bonds have been advertised as a method to support the country's economy and, more recently, websites promoting the investments have emphasised their importance to Israel's military operations in Gaza. Some TDs, as a result, have dubbed the securities as 'Israeli war bonds'. Coalition-supporting TDs, independents Barry Heneghan and Gillian Toole, repeated their vote to support the opposition's call . Both TDs previously said that they had a right to vote, as independents, in a manner they agreed with, pointing out that the programme for government does not include references to the issue. Advertisement Bonds from countries outside the EU must have legal documents approved by a central bank from a member state in order for the securities to be sold within the European single market. In the case of Israel, the country is Ireland. A protest outside the Dáil today calling on government to support the opposition's motion. Alamy Alamy The Central Bank itself is responsible for assessing whether the products it offers are compliant with these EU requirements. Since Hamas's attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 and Israel's subsequent bombardment and siege of Gaza, there has been mounting pressure on the Government from pro-Palestinian activists in Ireland to stop the facilitation of the sale of these bonds. But, Governor of the Central Bank Gabriel Makhlouf today defended its offerings, telling TDs at an Oireachtas Committee that the UN's Genocide Convention applies only to the Irish State, not the country's banking regulator. Activists have demonstrated at the site in Dublin over the last number of months and have called for legislation that would give Ireland the power to refuse the sale of Israeli 'war bonds' over human rights concerns. Speaking during a Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting this evening, finance minister Paschal Donohoe told members that oppositional TDs wanted the government to tell the state's banking regulator what to do, despite its mandated independence. The Dublin Central TD said government cannot approve legislation that impedes on the independence of the Central Bank for legal purposes. Opposition TDs argued this evening that, as the bonds are intended to fund the war in Gaza, Ireland has obligations under the UN's Genocide Convention to use 'all means likely to have a deterrent effect' on those suspected of committing such crimes. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal


Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Government will be on 'the wrong side' of history over Israeli bonds decision, opposition says
The Government has been warned it is on the "the wrong side" of history after rejecting a motion to prevent the facilitation of Israeli war bonds. Opposition parties united behind a motion demanding the Government enact emergency legislation to explicitly force the Central Bank to stop facilitating the sale of Israel bonds. The Social Democrats motion, supported by Sinn Féin, Labour, and People Before Profit-Solidarity also called on the coalition to advise the bank that "by acting as the enabling cog in Israel's fund-raising machine in the EU, it is putting the State at risk of a charge of complicity in genocide". However, the Government's countermotion stated that it had "received advice from the Attorney General that recently proposed legislation to introduce 'restrictive measures' was not compatible with our obligations as members of the EU and in conflict with Article 215 and Article 63 Treaty on the Functioning of the EU". The motion with the amendment put forward by the Government was then passed by 85 votes to 71. Speaking in the Dáil ahead of the vote, finance minister Paschal Donohoe said: "Despite the human feelings I have and the determination of the Government to respond to this, I have to recognise the law with regard to the EU and the law that recognises the independent operation of the Central Bank of Ireland." But Social Democrats TD Cian O'Callaghan claimed that the Government was "hiding behind technicalities" and could act on the matter if it wanted to. Let us be clear about this. Genocide is taking place and is being part-funded by the sale of Israeli bonds including in Europe, which is being facilitated by the Irish Central Bank. Sinn Fein's Pearse Doherty described Mr Donohoe's response as "shameful", adding: "History will show that the minister is on the wrong side of this issue. He has used carefully constructed words to tell us what we cannot do. "However, the reality is that if Government wants to initiate national measures that will ensure that the Central Bank does not sign off on a prospective and therefore, not facilitate the sale of these war bonds in Ireland, then it can do so."