Irish support for the European Union remains very high and is growing, in particular among young adults, according to a new poll.
The Red C poll, commissioned by European Movement Ireland, found 90% support for the EU among Irish people, and that 87% believe that Ireland has, on balance, benefited from the European Union. At 94%, support for Ireland’s EU membership is even higher among young adults in the 18-24 age bracket, up from 85% in 2015.
Commenting on the poll findings, Dara Murphy, Minister of State for European Affairs, said, “The findings are particularly significant, coming less than a month before the United Kingdom, our nearest neighbour, goes to the polls on the question of its continued EU membership.”
“I’m particularly delighted to see very high support for the EU among young people, with support among the 18-24 age group having increased considerably on last year, to reach 94%.”
“Coming from a small open country, I think Irish people clearly recognise the huge benefits we get from EU membership; both for themselves as EU citizens, and for the country, where we work with our partners within the European Union to secure our prosperity and promote our values. I think there is a broad understanding in Ireland that the EU has served us enormously well and will continue to do so.”
The European Movement Ireland poll also found that 86% of Irish people would like the United Kingdom to remain in the EU, with 81% agreeing that even if the UK does decide to leave EU, Ireland’s place remains firmly within Europe.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.