Ireland’s optimism picking up – Eurobarometer

Standard “Eurobarometer 82” opinion poll, Irish national report, with Professor Richard Sinnott and Dr Stephen Quinlan

The results of the latest Eurobarometer suggest that, after some negative years, a more optimistic view of the EU is resurfacing in Ireland.

Meanwhile, on the economy, while most people (60%) see the situation as ‘bad’, numbers saying this are well down on 12 months previously (81%).

MORE 53% of Irish people say they have a ‘positive’ image of the EU, up 12 points since spring 2014, and up 16 points on 2013. This is the highest number of Irish people saying this since 2009.

16% of Irish people say they have a ‘negative’ image of the EU, well down on the high watermark of 29% in 2012, while 29% say they have a ‘neutral’ view (with 2% ‘don’t knows’).

While a majority of Irish people (60%) still rate the current economic situation as ‘bad’, the numbers saying this one year ago were much larger. At that point in November 2013, 81% of Irish citizens considered the economy to be ‘bad’.

Overall, the latest findings tell us that confidence in the EU is re-emerging. Looking ahead, Irish feelings about the EU will probably continue to be closely linked to perceptions about economic performance.

Full report on www.euireland.ie

 

EB 82 Fieldwork was carried out in November 2014. Over 1000 Irish people were asked for their views.