Over 70% of Northern Irish voters would choose to rejoin EU, poll finds 

The poll shows a clear majority (71%) believe the EU should seek greater independence from the United States, though CEO of European Movement Ireland, David Geary said this is not necessarily anti-American sentiment and rather reflects an acknowledgement that the EU needs to diversify its trading relationships. File picture 

Over 70% of voters in the North would vote to rejoin the EU in the event of a second UK referendum on the issue, a new poll has found.

Ten years ago, the UK voted 51.89% to 48.11% to leave the EU, with Northern Ireland voting to stay by a margin of 55.78% to 44.22%.

European Movement Ireland’s Island of Ireland EU Poll 2026, conducted by Amárach Research and published today shows 73% of poll respondents in the north said they would vote to rejoin the EU if a referendum was held by the UK tomorrow, with 23% voting against and 4% unsure. 

In the republic, 59% said they would vote in favour of a united Ireland in the EU tomorrow, 22% were opposed, and 19% said they don’t know.

The poll also found:

• 71% of people said the EU should seek greater independence from the US;
• 82% support Ireland remaining a member of the EU, although this polls below its peak of 93% in 2019;
• Declining satisfaction with the direction of the EU from 58% in 2023 down to 45% in 2026;
• The top issues of dissatisfaction were migration at 31%, economic and regulatory issues at 27%, and federalism and national sovereignty at 26%.

Among those who believe the EU is moving in the right direction, Irish respondents said unity and cooperation (33%), economic benefits (25%) and stability and security (19%) were key issues. The top five concerns at EU level for citizens in Ireland are the cost of living (58%), migration (48%), housing (41%), energy (36%) and defence and security (36%).

In the north, the cost of living (45%) has overtaken migration (42%) as the top issue of concern.

The poll shows a clear majority (71%) believe the EU should seek greater independence from the United States, though CEO of European Movement Ireland, David Geary said this is not necessarily anti-American sentiment and rather reflects an acknowledgement that the EU needs to diversify its trading relationships.

“While there are deep and enduring economic and cultural Ireland-US ties, many Irish people recognise the EU's need for greater strategic independence in a changing geopolitical context. With preparations underway for the EU Presidency, Ireland can play an important role as a bridge between the US and the EU. The EU’s capacity to act independently across defence, trade and foreign policy will likely form part of the agenda.”

Among the concerns expressed in the poll in Ireland, the EU’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine 34% and the Middle East conflict 34% polled similarly.

• Paul Hosford, Acting Political Editor

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