A new poll has found only 31% of respondents in Connaught believe that there will be a united Ireland in the next ten years while 83% of people in Connaught and Ulster continue to support Ireland’s membership of the EU.
They’re among a numer of findings in the results of results of the annual European Movement Ireland/ EU RED C Research Poll, which have just been released.
This poll examines, region by region, a range of opinions in relation to various EU-related issues.
In Connaught and Ulster, 83% of people agreed that Ireland should remain a member of the EU, while 47% agreed that the EU is moving in the right direction.
48% of respondents expressed confidence in the EU’s Covid-19 Vaccines Strategy.
But when asked whether Ireland and other member states should give the EU more control over healthcare policy, in order to deal with crises, 30% agreed.
In response to a question on whether now is the time to hold a Conference on the Future of Europe to reform the EU, even if it results in a referendum in Ireland, 47% agreed.
On other issues . . . 32% agreeing that the EU is doing enough to deal with the effect of the climate crisis.
68% of those polled in Connaught and Ulster believed the EU should do more to regulate digital media platforms.
When asked whether Ireland should be part of increased EU defence and security co-operation, 52% said yes, but 82% of respondents agreed that the US should remain an important ally for EU defence cooperation.
In Connaught, 26% of people felt there should be more political and economic integration in the EU even if this means that member states lose control over economic policy.
79% felt that the EU should only provide funds to member states if their governments adhere to rule of law principles such as democracy, human rights and equality.
All of these issues dealt with in the poll will be central to discussions at the upcoming Conference on the Future of Europe which will be officially launched on 9 May 2021.
European Movement chief executive Noelle O’Connell says there’s a clear appetite for reform.
