Ms Lorna Hayes:

In a year in which we mark the 20th anniversary of the largest ever enlargement of the EU, the poll shows strong support for enlargement. Across both jurisdictions, 57% of respondents were in favour of more countries joining the EU, with approximately one in five in Ireland being against the idea.

Over two years on from Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, close to half of respondents in Ireland stated that they were dissatisfied with the EU’s response, with only a third being satisfied.

On the question of whether people in Ireland and Northern Ireland were satisfied with the EU’s response to the Israel-Gaza conflict, even greater dissatisfaction levels were found.

In fact, this was the area with the highest levels of dissatisfaction expressed in the poll. Two thirds, or 64% in Ireland and 72% in Northern Ireland, were dissatisfied, which is perhaps reflective of how the EU has struggled to deliver a co-ordinated and effective response.

Against a backdrop of an increasingly turbulent geopolitical context and Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine, the responses to questions on security and defence were informative. More than one third of respondents do not believe that the EU can still rely on the US for defence co-operation, with only a slightly smaller proportion still confident that the EU can rely on the US. Interestingly, in the follow-up question, and in an increase from 2023, the majority of respondents believe Ireland should strengthen its defence and security co-operation with the EU. However, approximately one third were against this.

Of concern in our poll this year is the growing lack of trust in political institutions in both Ireland and Northern Ireland, which could be reflective of the global trend of increasing polarisation in public and political discourse. When asked which of the institutions they trusted most in Ireland, 34% chose the Irish Government, 26% said they trusted the EU, but a significant majority of 40% stated "none of the above".

As we come to the end of our presentation and with the European Parliament elections only days away, it is reassuring that 88% of respondents believe it is important to vote in the elections, with men and women nearly equally supportive, at 88% and 87% respectively. However, with Irish voter turnout lower than the European average in 2019, especially among younger voters, we cannot be complacent. In recent months European Movement Ireland has been actively promoting our Can Vote, Will Votecampaign and promoting awareness around the elections through information stands in third-level institutions, town halls in the three constituencies, as well as via our ongoing social media and in-person engagement with the Irish public.

At this pivotal time for Europe, the Irish public’s continued high support for EU membership is welcome. Nevertheless, the less favourable findings in a number of areas are of concern and serve as a timely reminder of the continual need for public engagement, dialogue and communication on EU affairs.