36% of Irish dissatisfied with Ireland's influence in EU
36% of people polled in Ireland are dissatisfied with Ireland’s role and influence on EU affairs in Brussels.
That’s according to the 2025 European Movement Ireland poll conducted with Amárach Research published today (Thursday, May 8).
The poll reveals a significant majority in Northern Ireland (60%) do not believe that the post-Brexit reset in EU-UK relations has improved Northern Ireland’s relationship with the EU, despite the recent bilateral meetings and agreements between leaders in the bloc and the UK Government.
Respondents across the island of Ireland said they would support a united Ireland within the EU, with 67% in Northern Ireland and 62% in Ireland in favour.
However, those against a united Ireland in the EU is higher in the north (27%) compared to the south (16%), while a greater number of people in the Republic of Ireland (22%) say they don’t know, in comparison to just 7% in Northern Ireland.
EMI has said that the findings come at a time when Ireland remains underrepresented in EU institutions.
Speaking to EU News Radio, CEO of EMI, Noelle O’Connell said Ireland faces a challenge when it comes to replacing senior Irish people retiring from EU institutions.
"Ireland, we always traditionally would say, as one of the smaller member states population-wise, we have tended to punch above our weight in terms of influence and holding key leadership positions across the EU," she said.
"Whether that's in the different agencies or institutions or in the commission and the parliament positions of leadership and power.
"Now, as we approach that somewhat of a demographic cliff edge in terms of senior Irish people coming up to retirement age, the challenge is - and I think it's one that the government is very well attuned to - they have the EU jobs strategy to encourage a strong Irish pipeline in terms of EU jobs and careers.
"That is certainly something that we are going to see," she added.
The poll also revealed that support for Ireland’s membership of the EU remains strong in Northern Ireland, rising by 1% to 77% in 2025, compared to 82% in the Republic of Ireland.
Similarly in both jurisdictions, a majority in Northern Ireland (47%) approve of the direction the EU is moving in, though dissatisfaction is higher at 33%, compared to 26% in the ROI, with 19% of respondents in Northern Ireland stating they don’t know (27% ROI).
A majority in Northern Ireland (52%) believe the EU is effectively upholding its values, closely aligned with the ROI (51%), though 39% in the north disagree and 9% don’t know.
Respondents in Northern Ireland expressed their dissatisfaction with the EU on matters such as, economic and regulatory issues (30%), migration (22%) and militarisation concerns (19%).
Migration was found to be the EU’s weakest rated area of performance according to 50% in the north and 51% in the south.
