Support for Ireland’s membership of the European Union remains strong at 82% in 2025, according to the 12th annual European Movement Ireland Poll conducted with Amárach Research.
While support for Ireland's EU membership remains strong, it has dropped to its lowest level since 2013.
The poll, the only island of Ireland poll dedicated to European affairs, further found that 43% of people in Ireland do not believe their views are represented at the EU level.
34% also felt that the EU is not upholding its core values, and 26% are dissatisfied with its direction.
Dissatisfaction amongst Irish people was attributed to issues such as the migration response (35%), EU regulation (24%), militarisation of the EU (24%).
The EU is perceived as weakest in both jurisdictions on the issue of migration in Ireland (51%) and Northern Ireland (50%).
Meanwhile, 36% are dissatisfied with Ireland’s role and influence in Brussels.
"This comes at a time when Ireland remains underrepresented in EU institutions, underlining the continuing need to promote and foster a strong Irish career pipeline within the EU," European Movement Ireland noted.
🚨The 2025 European Movement Ireland EU Poll is now live🚨
📊 Should Ireland remain a member of the EU?
Support for Ireland’s membership of the EU remains strong at 82% in 2025, however it has dropped to its lowest level since 2013.
Click here for all the… pic.twitter.com/8yFfLhBEwC
— European Movement Ireland (@emireland) May 8, 2025
"We cannot be complacent"
“It is encouraging to see strong support for EU membership in Ireland, albeit a decline on recent years," Noelle O Connell, CEO of European Movement Ireland, said.
"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.
"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.”
Domestic concerns and foreign policy issues
European Movement Ireland said its 2025 poll demonstrates that people attach importance not only to domestic concerns but also to foreign policy issues.
The cost of living (56%) was cited as the most pressing issue for people in the Republic, particularly for younger people, with housing (41%) also featuring strongly among respondents’ top five worries, along with migration (53%).
However, 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.
Meanwhile, respondents in Northern Ireland cited the Israel-Palestine conflict as their top concern at EU level (52%).
Although some expressed dissatisfaction with EU militarisation (24%), 50% in the Republic believe Ireland should be part of increased EU defence and security cooperation, with 32% opposing it and 18% are unsure. Younger people, between 18-24, expressed most uncertainty (30%), while there was a notable difference in support for greater security cooperation between women (38%) and men (62%).
O Connell added: “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.”
Nearly half satisfied with EU's direction
Despite the range of concerns highlighted in the poll, 47% of respondents in Ireland are satisfied with the EU’s direction. At a time of unprecedented global upheaval and crisis, there is a strong endorsement of the benefits the EU brings in terms of influence and collective action, with unity and cooperation (41%), stability and security (16%) as some of the key reasons for people believing that the EU is moving in the right direction. Economic benefits (19%) were also cited as an important factor.
Furthermore, although there is much uncertainty regarding trade into the future, respondents in both jurisdictions rated the bloc’s performance strongly, 40% in Ireland and even higher at 49% in Northern Ireland. The EU also fared well in its management of the European economy in Ireland (21%).
O Connell said: “It is also notable to see the EU sustain confidence in trade performance under the shadow of tariff uncertainty.
"Equally, it is promising to observe the solid ratings for the EU’s management of the European economy in Ireland, which highlights the EU’s capacity to deliver on critical agendas.”
Cannot take positivity "for granted"
On Thursday, Ireland's Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD welcomed the publication of the European Movement Ireland Poll.
“The publication of the 2025 poll by European Movement Ireland serves as an important barometer of public opinion and a reminder of the responsibility we share to protect and enhance Ireland’s role in Europe," Byrne said.
“It is clear that most Irish people believe that we have benefitted from our EU membership but we cannot take that positivity for granted and we must not be complacent.
"In advance of Ireland taking on the EU Presidency in the second-half of 2026, I look forward to engaging with communities across Ireland, to communicate what our EU Presidency means, and how the EU delivers for its citizens.”
Comments