FS Regional Analysis IE EN - Europa · The regional analysis that follows is based on the European Parliament’s Eurobarometer surveys. Eurobarometer surveys are carried out on national

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REGIONAL ANALYSISRESULTS FOR IRELAND

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PARLEMETER: REGIONAL ANALYSIS 2016PERCEPTIONS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT IN IRELAND

NATIONAL REGIONS

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METHODOLOGICAL ANNEX: REGIONAL ANALYSIS OF THE EUROBAROMETER RESULTS

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The regional analysis that follows is based on the European Parliament’s Eurobarometer surveys.

Eurobarometer surveys are carried out on national samples of a standard size, composed of Europeans aged 15 years and over, which ensure representativeness on a national scale. Thus,

approximately 1000 interviews are conducted in each country, except in Germany (N1500), the United

Kingdom (N1300), Luxembourg (N500), Cyprus (N500) and Malta (N500).

However, even in the biggest countries, the number of interviews conducted in each region is too small for the results to be reliable at this level in a single survey. However, combining the data

from several EB/EP surveys in which the same questions were asked makes it possible to uncover regional results. A sufficient number of interviewees is needed (generally at least 150) to begin

drawing conclusions about overall regional trends.

The eighteen surveys taken into account for this data aggregation were commissioned by the

European Parliament’s Directorate-General for Communication. The surveys were carried out byKantar Public Brussels between September 2007 and October 20161. Please note that some questions

are analysed here over a shorter time period, covering only the waves in which they were asked.

Given the geographical features of some countries, please note that up to 5% of a country’s territory

may not be covered by Eurobarometer surveys.

Public Opinion Monitoring Unit [email protected]

1 The eighteen surveys taken into account in this analysis are as follows: EB/EP 86.1 (fieldwork conducted from 24 September to 3 October 2016); EB/EP 84.1 (19 – 29 September 2015); EB/EP 82.4 (29 November – 9 December 2014); EB/EP 79.5 (7 – 23 June 2013); EB/EP 78.2 (17 November – 2 December 2012); EB/EP 77.4 (2 – 17 June 2012); EB/EP 77.2 (10 – 25 March 2012); EB/EP 76.3 (5 – 20 November 2011); EB/EP 76.1 (3 – 18 September 2011); EB/EP 75.2 (13 April – 8 May 2011); EB/EP 74.3 (25 November – 17 December 2010); EB/EP 74.1 (26 August – 16 September 2010); EB/EP 73.4 (5 – 28 May 2010); EB/EP 73.1 (29 January – 17 February 2010); EB/EP 71.3 (12 June – 6 July 2009); EB/EP 71.1 (16 January – 22 February 2009); EB/EP 70.1 (6 October – 6 November 2008); EB/EP 68.1 (22 September – 3 November 2007).

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REGIONAL ANALYSIS


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MEDIA RECALL OF THE EP: Media recall of the European Parliament in Ireland is similar to the European average(52% in Ireland, compared with 55% in the EU as a whole). Absolute majorities can remember having recently read,seen or heard information about the EP in the media in three Irish regions, ranging from 52% in Connaught/ Ulster to 57% in Dublin. In the Rest of Leinster, a small majority of respondents do not remember recently encounteringinformation about the EP (49% vs. 48% who do).

SUBJECTIVE INFORMATION ON THE EP’S ACTIVITIES: Respondents in Ireland feel much better-informed about the EP’s activities than Europeans on average (41% in Ireland, compared with 29% in the EU). In all four Irish regions, minorities of respondents feel well-informed, with proportions varying between 36% in Munster and 47% in Dublin, where respondents are quite divided (a majority of 50% feeling not well-informed).

MY VOICE COUNTS:

a) IN THE EU: 39% of respondents in Ireland agree that their voice counts in the EU (vs. 53% who disagree), aproportion similar to the EU average (38% who agree vs. 56% who disagree). A minority of respondents considerthat their voice counts in the EU in every Irish region, ranging from 35% in the Rest of Leinster to 44% in Dublin.

b) IN OUR COUNTRY: An absolute majority of respondents in Ireland consider that their voice counts in their country (59% vs. 37% who disagree), a proportion similar to the one found in the EU as a whole (58% vs. 40%). Absolute majorities share this opinion in all Irish regions, with the highest proportion in Dublin (64%) and the lowest in Munster (56%).

MEMBERSHIP OF THE EU: 67% of respondents in Ireland believe that their country’s membership of the EU is a goodthing, a higher proportion than the European average (52%). More than six in ten respondents share this opinionin all Irish regions, with the highest proportion in Munster (69%) and the lowest in Connaught/ Ulster (63%).

IMAGE OF THE EP: A majority of respondents in Ireland have a positive image of the EP (42% in Ireland), a higher proportion than in the EU as a whole (29% in the EU); 35% have a neutral image of the EP and 19% a negative image (compared with 43% and 24% respectively in the EU as a whole). Relative majorities have a positive image of the EP inall Irish regions, ranging from 38% in the Rest of Leinster to 45% in Connaught/ Ulster.

THE EXPECTED ROLE OF THE EP: A majority of respondents in Ireland want the EP to play a more important role thanit currently does (41% in Ireland, for 48% in the EU as a whole). In all regions, relative majorities of respondents wantthe EP to play a larger role, with proportions varying between 40% in three regions (Connaught/ Ulster, Dublin and the Rest of Leinster) and 42% in Munster.

KNOWLEDGE OF THE FUNCTIONING OF THE EP: 42% of respondents in Ireland know that MEPs sit in the Parliament onthe basis of their political affinities (close to the European average, 43%), while 36% wrongly believe that they sittogether on the basis of their nationality (for 38% in the EU as a whole). In all Irish regions, relative majorities give thecorrect answer, with the highest proportion in Dublin (46%) and the lowest in the Rest of Leinster (40%).

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KNOWLEDGE OF THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS IN THE EP: Respondents in Ireland are divided about the way decisionsare adopted in the EP: 34% think that they are primarily adopted according to the political affinities of the MEPs, whereas 31% believe that the interests of the Member States from which the MEPs come are more important

(compared with an EU average of 36% for both options); 14% answer spontaneously that the European Parliament’sdecisions are adopted according both to the political affinities of the MEPs and to the interests of Member States fromwhich the MEPs come, and 21% say that they don’t know (compared with EU averages of 13% and 14% respectively). Majorities mention the MEPs’ political affinities in Dublin (37%), Munster (34%) and Connaught/ Ulster (33%); in the

Rest of Leinster, respondents are evenly divided (32% for the political affinities of the MEPs vs. 32% for the interests of the Member States).

KNOWLEDGE OF THE WAY IN WHICH THE EP IS ELECTED: 68% of respondents in Ireland know that MEPs are directly electedby EU citizens, a higher proportion than in the EU as a whole (57%). In all Irish regions, more than six in ten

respondents give the correct answer, with proportions varying between 64% in the Rest of Leinster and 73% in Munster.

PRIORITY POLICIES: “Tackling poverty and social exclusion” is the first priority identified by respondents in Irelandas in the EU as a whole (52% in Ireland, for 51% in the EU). It reaches its highest score in the Rest of Leinster (55%), and its lowest in Dublin (48%). “Improving consumer and public health protection” comes in second position in

Ireland (38%, for 30% in the EU), regional scores ranging from 35% in Dublin to 40% in both Connaught/ Ulster andMunster. “Coordinating economic, budget and tax policies” is identified as the third priority policy by respondentsin Ireland (33%, for 30% in the EU). This policy is cited most often in Munster (37%) and least often in the Rest of Leinster (29%). In fourth position, respondents in Ireland are more likely to mention “a foreign policy that enables the EU to

speak with one voice on the international stage” (24%) than the European average (19%). This policy achieves its highest score in Connaught/ Ulster (28%) and its lowest in Munster (22%).

PRIORITY VALUES: “The protection of human rights” and “equality between men and women” are the two mostimportant values that should be defended by the EP for respondents in Ireland, as in the EU as a whole (59% and 38% respectively in Ireland, for 57% and 34% respectively in the EU). “The protection of human rights” is

mentioned most in the Rest of Leinster (62%) and least in Connaught/ Ulster (55%). Respondents in Connaught/ Ulster(40%) are most likely to mention “equality between men and women”, which is cited least in the Rest of Leinster (36%). “Freedom of speech” is the third most frequently mentioned value in Ireland (36%, for 33% in the EU). Its scoreranges from 35% in the Rest of Leinster to 38% in Munster. “The protection of minorities” comes in fourth position

in Ireland (30%, for 20% in the EU), with proportions varying between 27% in Dublin and 31% in Munster.

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MEDIA RECALL OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

SUBJECTIVE INFORMATION ON THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT'S ACTIVITIES

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MY VOICE COUNTS IN THE EU

MY VOICE COUNTS IN OUR COUNTRY

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MEMBERSHIP

IMAGE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

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THE EXPECTED ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

KNOWLEDGE OF THE FUNCTIONING OF THE INSTITUTION

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KNOWLEDGE OF THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

KNOWLEDGE OF THE WAY IN WHICH THE INSTITUTION IS ELECTED

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PRIORITY POLICIES

Tackling poverty and social exclusion 51% 52% 49% 48% 54% 55%

Improving consumer and public health protection

30% 38% 40% 35% 40% 38%

Coordinating economic, budget and tax policies

30% 33% 36% 31% 37% 29%

A foreign policy that enables the EU to speak with one voice on the international stage

19% 24% 28% 24% 22% 24%

Combating terrorism while respecting individual freedoms

28% 23% 23% 21% 24% 26%

Combating climate change 23% 23% 24% 23% 21% 23%

An agricultural policy that is environmentally friendly and contributes to the global food balance

23% 23% 29% 20% 20% 24%

A security and defence policy that enables the EU to face up to international crisis

27% 21% 23% 21% 21% 21%

A common energy policy intended to ensure the EU’s energy independence

20% 20% 21% 21% 20% 18%

An immigration policy implemented in consultation with countries of origin

24% 19% 19% 19% 19% 20%

A research and development (R&D) policy that ensures competitiveness and innovation

15% 17% 18% 17% 20% 15%

The assertion of a European social model

14% 8% 7% 10% 8% 7%

Aggregated results 2010-2016

The European Parliament promotes the development of certain policies at European Union level. In your opinion, which of the following policies shouldbe given priority? (MAX. 4 ANSWERS)

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UlsterDublin Munster Rest of Leinster

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PRIORITY POLICIES: TOP FOUR POLICIES IN IRELAND

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PRIORITY POLICIES: TOP FOUR POLICIES IN IRELAND

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PRIORITY VALUES

The protection of human rights 57% 59% 55% 56% 60% 62%

Equality between men and women 34% 38% 40% 38% 38% 36%

Freedom of speech 33% 36% 36% 37% 38% 35%

The protection of minorities 20% 30% 30% 27% 31% 30%

Solidarity between EU Member States 33% 28% 31% 28% 27% 26%

Solidarity between the EU and poor countries in the world

25% 20% 22% 17% 21% 21%

The dialogue between cultures and religions

22% 18% 24% 17% 18% 17%

The abolition of the death penalty throughout the world

14% 12% 11% 11% 11% 15%

In your opinion, which of the following values should the European Parliament defend as a matter of priority? (MAX. 3 ANSWERS)

Aggregated results 2007-2016 EU28 IEConnaught/

UlsterDublin Munster Rest of Leinster

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PRIORITY VALUES: TOP FOUR VALUES IN IRELAND

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PRIORITY VALUES: TOP FOUR VALUES IN IRELAND

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Documents

FS Regional Analysis IE EN - Europa · The regional analysis that follows is based on the European Parliament’s Eurobarometer surveys. Eurobarometer surveys are carried out on national