The future of Ireland is the EU

Introductions

For those who may not know me, I am Eddy Hartog, a member of the Dutch Senate and currently the interim co-lead of Volt Ireland/Éireann, the Irish branch of the pan-European movement Volt. I divide my time between the Netherlands and Ireland, which has given me a unique perspective on both national and European politics. Throughout my career, I have worked on issues that cross borders and require European cooperation, whether in public policy, digital affairs, or democratic representation. 

What are the takeaways from the EU poll 2026?

Simply put, the results are a mixed bag, but the general takeaway is that the EU is still viewed favourably in Ireland, even if it is for utilitarian reasons. Overall support for the EU is still strong at 83% in favour. Unfortunately, we can also see that it’s been slipping since 2019, when the favourability was at an incredible 93%. The EU’s direction is on everyone’s mind, and everyone has a different opinion on it. In both the Republic and Northern Ireland, the top reasons the EU is doing right are ‘unity and cooperation’ and ‘economic benefits.’ On the other hand, ‘immigration control issues’ and ‘federation and national sovereignty’ top the list of things the EU is performing poorly on. 

One of the more prominent concerns of Irish citizens, as is the case for most Europeans, is the cost of living, right next to the usual suspects of migration and housing. While I’m not surprised by these figures, I have to wonder whether this reflects more the general state of mind rather than their thoughts on the EU, since income taxes, social benefits and housing policy are handled at the national level rather than by the EU.

On geopolitical questions, the results are very noteworthy. Just under half, 48% of respondents in the Republic, said they believe Ireland should be part of an increased EU defence cooperation, while an overwhelming 71% believe we should seek to distance ourselves from the US. In Northern Ireland the numbers are equally impressive, with 73% of responses being in favour of the UK rejoining the EU! As Europeans, we must do our best to let the remaining 27% know that we hear their concerns and want to answer them.

What does this mean for Volt Ireland/ Éireann?

Volt advocates for deeper European integration, but not through maintaining the current status quo. Institutional reform is needed to strengthen the EU’s capacity and ability to act effectively in a rapidly changing international environment. What we can learn from these poll results is that there is real, if still fledgling, support for a pan-European movement that favours further EU integration. Volt Ireland/Éireann believes that Irish citizens should play an active role in shaping that future. Irish voices should not only be better represented at EU level; the European perspective should also have a stronger presence within the Dáil and Seanad.

There is both space and momentum for a pan-European party to contribute meaningfully to the debate about Ireland’s future within the EU. Personally, when working on Dutch legislation, I also consider the interests of Ireland, as well as those of France, Cyprus, and other member states. On a similar note, our five Members of the European Parliament represent the interests of the EU as a whole, even though they were elected as representatives of Germany and the Netherlands, respectively. That gives me hope for even stronger results in the 2027 EU poll.

It’s your call 

Ireland’s future will not be decided in isolation. The challenges that matter most to people, from housing and energy prices to security, migration, and economic stability, increasingly demand European solutions as well as national ones. Volt Ireland/Éireann's mission is to ensure that Ireland does not simply react to changes in Europe, but actively helps shape them. If you believe in a more democratic, effective, and united Europe, now is the time to get involved. Stay in touch by subscribing to our newsletter below.