Irish ‘most optimistic over future of the EU’

The role played by European institutions in imposing years of austerity on the country has done little to dampen sentiment towards the EU, if a new survey is to be believed.

Despite the remnants of the financial crisis being dragged back into the spotlight in recent days thanks to the Oireachtas banking inquiry — and the ECB’s ongoing refusal to attend — the Irish increasingly believe in the EU and its institutions.

The European Commission’s Eurobarometer survey shows the people of Ireland are more optimistic about the future of the EU than any other nation.

Almost eight in 10 Irish people (78%) expressed their confidence in the future of the EU, representing a far greater level of optimism than the average at 56%.

Ireland edged out Malta (75%), Poland and Romania (74%), and Denmark (73%) as the EU’s most positive country.

Optimism has grown in 13 countries, most strikingly in Ireland, which has seen a 7% increase since spring 2014, while it has also become the majority view in the UK despite ongoing uncertainty over its EU future.

“Optimism in Ireland is at the highest level in the EU at 78% and has also increased by seven percentage points since the last Eurobarometer in spring of 2014 and another interesting fact to come from this Eurobarometer is that Ireland’s positive image of the EU is one of the highest among EU citizens and has also has the highest increase with 12 percentage points,” Ciara Eustace of the Dublin EU office said.

Positive feeling towards the national economy is on the rise too, with “good answers” as measured by the survey increasing by 14% to 38%.

Despite more than 352,000 people on the live register in November — a reduction of 4,100 to 10.7% — 72% of Irish people believe the jobs crisis has reached its peak.

The Irish, along with the Danes, are the biggest subscribers to this theory, followed by the Dutch (66%).

The feeling that the worst is still to come is the majority view in 12 member states, with Cypriot and French people most pessimistic in this regard.

Unemployment remains the biggest concern for Irish respondents to the survey, , with just shy of 40% describing it as the main issue facing the EU, significantly above the EU average of 29%.

The broader economic situation rankles most with Europeans, being mentioned by 33% as the EU’s biggest threat.

Immigration, which is now the fourth most important concern at EU level with 24% of mentions, is the first issue mentioned in four countries, including the UK.

Irish respondents increasingly feel their voice is heard in the European corridors of power despite 15 other member countries feeling their say is diminishing.

Positive trends were recorded in 12 countries, especially in Romania where positive sentiment increased by 16%, and in Hungary and Ireland where a 10% increase was recorded, bringing the total to 43%.

The euro still appeals to most Europeans despite its recent troubles, with 23 member states in favour of the single currency. In nine countries, including Ireland, at least three-quarters of people are in favour of the euro with the greatest support in Estonia (83%), Luxembourg (80%), Slovakia (79%), Malta (77%), and Ireland (76%). Majorities oppose the single currency in five member states, including Sweden and the UK.