Latest news with #EuropeanMovementIreland
Agriland
08-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
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.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Irish support for EU membership falls amid immigration fears
Irish support for EU membership has fallen to its lowest level in 12 years amid fears over immigration, a poll has found. Fewer than half of the people in the study said they thought the bloc was heading in the right direction. There has been a slow decline in support since a high in 2019, during the Brexit negotiations, when 93 per cent of people backed continued membership of the bloc. Now, 82 per cent of people said that Ireland should remain in the EU. That is the lowest level of support since 2013, when European Movement Ireland began carrying out the annual polls in a country with some of the strongest pro-EU sentiment in Europe. Brussels had backed Dublin's concerns over the post-Brexit border between the Republic and Northern Ireland. Support for EU membership last year was 84 per cent in Ireland, meaning a drop of two per cent. In Northern Ireland, where most people voted Remain in the 2016 Brexit referendum, support for EU membership increased by one per cent to 77 per cent this year. About 34 per cent of people in Ireland felt the EU was not upholding its core values, and 26 per cent were dissatisfied with its direction. While 47 per cent said they thought the EU was headed in the right direction, 43 per cent said they didn't believe their views were represented at EU level. Immigration control was cited as the biggest reason why people in Ireland thought the EU was going in the wrong direction. But 35 per cent of those saying they were dissatisfied with the EU's direction cited migration. EU red tape (24 per cent) and the perceived militarisation of the bloc since the war in Ukraine (24 per cent) in neutral Ireland were also mentioned. Half of the respondents said they backed increased EU defence cooperation. EU asylum policies have been attacked by anti-immigration campaigners and far-Right parties in Ireland, which is in the grips of a housing crisis. Despite that, 56 per cent of people said they backed more countries joining the EU, which would mean more nationals being given freedom of movement rights. The survey of a representative sample of 1,200 people was carried out by email on March 26 and 28 by Amárach Research and was published on Thursday. Noelle O Connell, head of European Movement Ireland, told the Irish Times that the level of support for the EU was still 'incredibly high'. She said the research showed Irish people were pleased to be part of the EU trading bloc because of the threat of tariffs from US president Donald Trump. Conor McGregor, the mixed martial arts fighter, plans to run in October's presidential election on an anti-immigration ticket. McGregor, who recently lost a civil court case for rape, has vowed to hold a referendum on EU reforms to asylum law if elected president of Ireland. He has also suggested Ireland should leave the EU if necessary to avoid US tariffs from Donald Trump, who recently welcomed him to the White House. However, it is not certain McGregor will get the support he needs to be able to stand in the election to be Ireland's head of state. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Irish Independent
08-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Irish are still strong EU supporters – but misgivings are growing, research shows
The yearly European Movement Ireland survey also shows ongoing strong EU membership support in Ireland, north and south, at 82pc. But this has slipped from a high of 93pc back in 2019, and there are other signs of dissatisfaction among Irish people about diminished influence within the EU structures and concerns about the bloc's direction. Other findings include ongoing cost-of-living and migration concerns; strong support for Irish unity on both sides of the Border, with the EU still trusted to manage world trade. The poll shows 67pc in the North back a united Ireland within the EU compared with 62pc in the Republic – but opposition is higher in the North on 27pc compared to just 16pc in the Republic. 'It is important citizens feel their views are heard across all levels of the EU The survey by Amárach research shows support for Ireland's EU membership dipped two points this year, slipping from 84pc last year. In Northern Ireland, which was forced to exit the EU in 2020 along with Britain, support is also strong at 77pc, up one point year-on-year. Misgivings in Ireland generally include 43pc believing their views are not represented at EU level. While nearly half of those surveyed believe the EU is moving in the right direction, one in three feel the EU is not upholding its core values, and 26pc are dissatisfied with its overall direction. The 82pc EU membership support is the lowest approval ranking since 2013, and down from its highest point of 93pc in 2019. Noelle O'Connell, CEO of European Movement Ireland, said ongoing EU support was encouraging, but there were many signs warning against government complacency. She said it was now a pivotal time in EU and world affairs with increasing populism, US-EU trade conflict, and intensified efforts to end war in Ukraine, all holding potential impacts for Ireland. 'It is important citizens feel their views are heard across all levels of the EU,' Ms O'Connell said. The survey shows respondents' EU dissatisfaction is largely due to migration at 35pc; undue EU regulation on 24pc; militarisation of the EU 24pc; among other issues. The EU is seen as weakest on migration in both jurisdictions with approximately half of north and south residents saying this.
Belfast Telegraph
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Support for Irish membership of EU at lowest level since 2013, poll suggests
However, the annual European Movement Ireland poll still found strong backing for Ireland's membership of the EU at 82%. The research also suggested that 43% across Ireland do not believe their views are represented at EU level. The all-island poll conducted into European affairs by Amarach Research is now in its 12th year. The survey found that 34% respondents feel the EU is not upholding its core values and 26% are dissatisfied with its direction. The research also found that 36% of respondents are dissatisfied with Ireland's role and influence in Brussels. Noelle O Connell, chief executive of European Movement Ireland, said: 'It is encouraging to see strong support for EU membership in Ireland, albeit a decline on recent years. 'In our 12th year of polling, it is clear that we cannot be complacent, with some people expressing dissatisfaction with the EU's current trajectory and Irish influence at EU level. 'At a pivotal time in European politics with intensifying efforts to end the war in Ukraine, the ongoing issues relating to EU-US trade which could have serious implications for Ireland, and the increasing influence of populism, among other issues, it is important citizens feel their views are heard across all levels of the EU.' More than half of respondents (56%) cited cost of living as the most pressing issue for people in the Republic of Ireland, along with housing (41%) and migration (53%). The poll suggested EU-US relations (44%); the EU's response to the Russia-Ukraine conflict (43%) and to the Israel-Palestine conflict (41%) were also prominent concerns. Respondents in Northern Ireland cited the Israel-Palestine conflict as their top concern at EU level (52%). Half of those polled in the Republic of Ireland believe the state should be part of increased EU defence and security co-operation, with 32% opposing it and 18% unsure. Ms O Connell said: 'This year's poll clearly shows that Irish people are worried about both domestic and global issues, from the cost of living and housing to EU-US relations and the EU's response to migration and international conflicts. 'As the debate on the future of Europe's security and defence continues, building trust, dialogue and understanding around this complex issue is more important than ever.' The poll also suggested that a majority would support a united Ireland within the EU, with 67% in Northern Ireland and 62% in Ireland in favour. Opposition to a United Ireland in the EU is higher in Northern Ireland (27%) compared to the Republic of Ireland (16%). In Northern Ireland, a majority (60%) believe changes in the EU-UK relationship following Brexit have not improved the region's relationship with the EU. Amarach Research was commissioned by the European Movement Ireland to undertake the survey on attitudes to the EU across the island of Ireland. It used a sample of 1,200 people aged 18 or over in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The data was collected online between March 26-28 and has a margin of error: +/- 2.5%.
The Journal
07-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Ireland's support for EU membership remains strong, but poll reveals it's dropped to lowest level
SUPPORT FOR IRELAND to remain in the European Union remains strong, but a new poll reveals support among the public is at an 11-year low. The European Movement Ireland's EU 2025 poll with Amárach Research asked 1,200 people in the Republic of Ireland if Ireland should remain a member of the EU. The poll reveals that 82% agree that Ireland should remain a member of the EU, while 9% said no. A total of 8% said they did not know. The European Movement/ Amárach Research While the 82% figure is strong, it is more than a ten-point drop in the response given to the same question more than five years ago. In 2019, answering the same question, 93% of respondents said Ireland should remain a member of the EU. The following year, in the midst of the pandemic, support plummeted from that 2019 high, with 84% that year saying Ireland should remain in the EU. Since 2020, the figure has fluctuated, but has never recovered back into the high ninety percentile. The European Movement The European Movement The Amárach Research was commissioned by European Movement Ireland to undertake research on attitudes to the EU across the island of Ireland. This research poll is based around a nationally representative sample of 1,200 for each jurisdiction of the Republic and Northern Ireland. Respondents in Northern Ireland also answered the question; their responses showed a five-point difference with people in the Republic, with 77% stating that Ireland should remain within in the EU. The poll asks a number of other key questions, such as whether the EU moving in the right direction, with just 47% of respondents in the Republic saying that it is. Advertisement Migration Of the 26% that stated the EU is not moving in the right direction, the main reason for answering this way was put down to 'immigration control issues', at 35%. The other issues cited were economic and regulatory issues and militarisation concerns. The European Movement/ Amárach Research When it comes to the issue of defence, the poll asked: 'Do you think Ireland should be part of increased EU defence and security cooperation?' Of those polled, 50% responded yes, while 32% said no and a total of 18% said they did not know. Support for increased EU defence co-operation was highest among those aged over 55 and lowest among those aged between 25 and 24. Some 36% of respondents said they are not satisfied with Ireland's current role and influence in the EU, while 50% said they are. Cost-of-living When asked which issues people are most concerned about at EU level, the results showed that the cost of living topped the poll, with 56% giving it as their top issue. Migration followed, with 53% stating that this most concerned them at EU level, followed by EU-US relations at 44%. Commenting on the findings of European Movement Ireland's EU 2025 poll, Noelle O'Connell, CEO of the European Movement Ireland, said it was encouraging to see strong support for EU membership in Ireland, despite the decline on recent years. 'In our twelfth year of polling, it is clear that we cannot be complacent, with some people expressing dissatisfaction with the EU's current trajectory and Irish influence at EU level,' she said. 'At a pivotal time in European politics with intensifying efforts to end the war in Ukraine, the ongoing issues relating to EU-US trade which could have serious implications for Ireland, and the increasing influence of populism, among other issues, it is important citizens feel their views are heard across all levels of the EU.' Need more clarity and context on how migration is being discussed in Ireland? Check out our new FactCheck Knowledge Bank for essential reads and guides to finding good information online. Visit Knowledge Bank 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
