Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I would not have imagined so. That is just curiosity on my part. It is a very high number, considering that it is only a generalised conversation that is happening. Of course, I would like to see that 24% be higher, but I am sure a significant number of people in the South just said to themselves that ten years is a short period and we are dealing with X, Y and Z. That is why the Government has to do the preparatory work in order that we can have a real conversation about all this. I have no doubt that all those percentages will increase. The 45% tells us that we are starting from a reasonable point in respect of the North and that a considerable number of people have moved on. While there are legacy issues, there is the pain of the past, unionists are still unionists and so on, we are probably all coming from a different place from that we were in 30 years ago. That is all positive.

As regards the EU moving in the right direction, that can depend on when the call is made. If EM Ireland had done this poll directly after the Ukrainian crisis, it would have found two things: worries but also probably an element of cohesiveness. If it had taken the poll when the troika was here, I would hate to see the percentage it would have got. If it had taken it following the Covid pandemic, it would have got another result. That is why, from a southern perspective in particular, it was seen that there were benefits to working on a European basis from the point of view of healthcare, even without confidence in the scheme. I am not asking questions at this stage; I am just pontificating. I have a tendency to do that.

I would think that the united Ireland question from here on in probably needs a couple more questions with it, and there probably needs to be a greater level of digging down. It may be possible to get that sort of demographic kickback, including as to what people's views are, what they want to see and even whether or not they want to see it. EM Ireland could always ask the question, "If you think this is possible, do you think there might be a point in doing some element of due diligence and having a plan?"

On EM Ireland's disinformation piece, we have seen organised and disorganised disinformation. It is a matter of the Facebook algorithm and the idea that hate, antagonism and negativity will sell. The social media companies have to be taken to task. Europe has provided some mechanisms in that regard, such as the Digital Services Act. What does EM Ireland intend to do with its research project? The point of it is making people aware of it. It is about putting it at the heart of decision-makers at a state level and then at a European level in making sure we have the regulation and whatever is necessary. I do not know how EM Ireland will ever deal with X, which has replaced Twitter, because that is a different kettle of fish altogether, but these are weapons that have been used, as I said, by state and semi-state actors and, on some level, vulnerable people who have notions that are not necessarily particularly sane. That is the nicest way I can put that.

I will throw that out to the witnesses. It is a very positive piece of work across the board. We can all make guesses as to why people choose particular issues.