On the eve of the Irish EU Presidency - A snapshot of public opinion

Ireland takes up the EU Council presidency keen to project a confident, values-led internationalism. But the public mood underneath is more guarded, more inward-looking and more sovereigntist than the presidency's outward agenda suggests. 

Irish voters feel European and they are not questioning whether they belong in Europe – but they are far from settled on what direction Europe should take, or on how much of Ireland's own sovereignty they are willing to pool to get there. 

They are sympathetic to causes abroad while holding firmly to neutrality, even as that word means quite different things to different people. 

And despite an economy that leans heavily on the United States, voters are drifting away from America and towards Europe. The country's attention is on the cost of living, housing and immigration, not what is dominating debates on the world stage.

This report sets out the national mood on the eve of the presidency, and then traces Irish attitudes across three arenas: Ireland and Europe, Ireland between America and Europe, and neutrality and Ireland's place in the world.

The national mood 

The public's focus is squarely domestic – cost of living (66%) and housing (58%) dominate, while the presidency seems abstract to them. 46% have heard “a little” about it and 38% have heard nothing at all. EU relations, defence and Ukraine barely register in their top issues. Beneath the affordability squeeze runs deeper disillusionment: two in five would let the system "burn," three in five think it's rigged, and almost half sometimes feel like a stranger in their own country. Yet national pride stays high (71%) and holds across every party.

Ireland and Europe

61% say EU membership is a good thing and two-thirds would vote to remain – but what Ireland should do with its membership is contested. Voters tilt towards national control over more cooperation and want Ireland to challenge the larger member states when their interests conflict with Ireland’s. 63% prioritise workers' rights over competitiveness, and are split when it comes to a two-speed Europe. 

Ireland, America and Europe

Despite Ireland’s prosperity being built on FDI (particularly American FDI), Irish instincts now point East instead of West. By three to one (75% to 25%) voters prioritise closer ties with the EU over the US. Trust in America has collapsed – it's now the lowest-rated Western ally tested - and 73% have little or no trust in the US under Trump. Scepticism of Brussels and of Washington increasingly sits with the same voters, but when forced to choose, Ireland chooses Europe.

Neutrality and Ireland’s role in the world 

Neutrality endures and informs how voters respond to issues in foreign affairs but its interpretation means different things to different voters – a third want it absolute, a third would leave room to depart. Voters back a self-reliant Europe (77%) but won't fund defence themselves, rating it either equal to or below housing and energy. Voters sympathise with Ukraine over Russia by ten to one, and have a clear pro-Palestinian conviction alongside strong backing for the Occupied Territories Bill.