Ms Noelle O'Connell:

I thank Deputy Ó Murchú for an excellent synopsis of our poll. I will pick up on a couple of points that might be useful for us to delve into a little more deeply. Interestingly, the most recent Eurobarometer poll, which was at a similar time, showed that when citizens of the 27 member states were asked what areas of concern were most pressing for them that they wished the EU to act on, in Ireland, 42% stated migration, making Ireland the highest percentage, while across the EU the average was 24%. It was interesting to see that correlation in terms of migration borne out in our poll as well.

On trade, last year we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Single Market. That recognition of the importance of the business, economics and trade perspective of the EU was certainly borne out in our findings.

The question on Northern Ireland is a very interesting and important one to pose. For us, it is important we are able to do this poll both North and South. Taking the Deputy's point about the sample group of 1,200 people, we commission an independent polling company to do it. The guidance is 1,200, which is pretty standard. On the subject of Northern Ireland, as part of our work of communicating and engaging on all aspects of all things European, we accept invitations and are delighted to speak at different political party events, non-party conferences and seminars. I was invited to speak at the New Ireland Commission in Newry and it was absolutely fascinating. To be honest with the committee, there were about 50 people in the room and there was a level of sadness and recognition that, for the first time in 45 years, they were not going to be able to vote on Friday, 7 June in the European Parliament elections. At the same time that I and two of my colleagues from Northern Ireland were in Newry, the rest of our European Movement Ireland colleagues were in Galway doing our Midlands-North-West European Parliament town hall event. There was recognition here too. One of the suggestions came from some of the members of the audience in Galway about whether one MEP seat should be given to the North. It was interesting that it featured as part of the discussion and recognised the fact that, on Friday, 7 June, for the first time, people in Northern Ireland will not be voting.

Regarding the united Ireland question and Deputy Ó Murchú's point, people in the North have had a greater opportunity to have these conversations and they have thought more deeply about it. There is a lot we can look at, perhaps at what lessons Germany has learned from it. There is a lot we can look at in that regard as well.

On the issue of the EU being far away from people, that is something we are continually working on to try to redress and ensure people have ownership and an opportunity to input, shape and influence what type of European Union we all want to live in. Regarding the 88%, we hope people will hand in their homework on Friday, 7 June and turn out and vote. It is geography and maths paper 2 and about 60,000 leaving certificate students are going to be doing those on that day, but we really want to see an increase in voter turnout on Friday, 7 June because it is important for people to exercise their right to vote and to have their say in influencing who we elect to represent us in Brussels and Strasbourg.