EUROBAROMETER PERCEPTIONS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT IN IRELAND INTERREGIONAL ANALYSIS

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1 NATIONAL REGIONS 1

2 METHODOLOGICAL ANNEX: REGIONAL ANALYSIS OF THE EUROBAROMETER RESULTS 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 sixteen surveys taken into account for this data aggregation were commissioned by the European Parliament s Directorate-General for Communication. The surveys were carried out by TNS Opinion & Social between September 2007 and December 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 SuiviOpinionPublique@europarl.europa.eu 1 The sixteen surveys taken into account in this analysis are as follows: EB/EP 82.4 (fieldwork conducted from 29 November to 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). 2

3 REGIONAL ANALYSIS MEDIA RECALL OF THE EP: media recall of the European Parliament in Ireland is the same as in the EU as a whole (53% in both Ireland and the EU). Absolute majorities can remember having recently read, seen or heard information about the EP in the media in all four Irish regions, ranging from 50% in the Rest of Leinster to 56% in Dublin. SUBJECTIVE INFORMATION ON THE EP S ACTIVITS: respondents in Ireland feel much betterinformed about the EP s activities than Europeans on average (41% in Ireland, compared with 28% in the EU). In all Irish regions, minorities of respondents feel well-informed, with proportions varying between 34% in Munster and 47% in Dublin, where respondents are almost evenly divided (a small majority of 48% feeling not well-informed). MY VOICE COUNTS: a) IN THE EU: 38% of respondents in Ireland agree that their voice counts in the EU (vs. 53% who disagree), the same proportion as in the EU as a whole (38% who agree vs. 55% who disagree). A minority of respondents consider that their voice counts in the EU in every Irish region, ranging from 35% in Munster to 43% in Dublin. b) IN OUR COUNTRY: an absolute majority of respondents in Ireland consider that their voice counts in their country (57% vs. 40% who disagree), a proportion to that 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 (60%) and the lowest in Connaught/ Ulster (54%). MEMBERSHIP OF THE EU: 64% of respondents in Ireland believe that their country s membership of the EU is a good thing, a higher proportion than the European average (51%). More than six in ten respondents share this opinion in all Irish regions, with the highest proportion in Munster (67%), and the lowest in Connaught/ Ulster and Dublin (both 62%). IMAGE OF THE EP: a majority of respondents in Ireland have a positive image of the EP, a higher proportion than in the EU as a whole (44% in Ireland, for 31% in the EU); 33% have a neutral image of the EP and 18% a negative image (compared with 43% and 22% respectively in the EU as a whole). Relative majorities have a positive image of the EP in all Irish regions, ranging from 39% in the Rest of Leinster to 48% in Connaught/ Ulster. THE EXPECTED ROLE OF THE EP: a small majority of respondents in Ireland want the EP to play a more important role than it currently does (39% in Ireland, for 49% in the EU as a whole). In all regions, relative majorities of respondents want the EP to play a larger role, with proportions varying between 37% in the Rest of Leinster and 41% in Munster. KNOWLEDGE OF THE FUNCTIONING OF THE EP: a small majority of respondents in Ireland know that MEPs sit in the Parliament on the basis of their political affinities (42%, the same score as in the EU as a whole), while 34% wrongly believe that they sit together on the basis of their nationality (for 3

4 REGIONAL ANALYSIS 38% in the EU as a whole). In all Irish regions, relative majorities give the correct answer, with the highest proportion in Dublin (46%), and the lowest in Munster and the Rest of Leinster (both 40%). KNOWLEDGE OF THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS IN THE EP: respondents in Ireland are divided about the way decisions are adopted in the EP: 33% think that they are primarily adopted according to the political affinities of the MEPs, whereas 30% believe that the interests of the Member States from which the MEPs come are more important (compared with EU averages of 34% and 37% respectively). Majorities mention the MEPs political affinities in Dublin (37%), Connaught/ Ulster and Munster (both 32%); the Rest of Leinster is the only region where the interests of the Member States are cited first (32% vs. 29% for the political affinities of MEPs). KNOWLEDGE OF THE WAY IN WHICH THE EP IS ELECTED: 68% of respondents in Ireland know that MEPs are directly elected by EU citizens, a higher proportion than is found 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 Connaught/ Ulster and 73% in Munster. PRIORITY POLICS: tackling poverty and social exclusion is the first priority identified by respondents in Ireland as in the EU as a whole (51% in both Ireland and the EU). It reaches its highest score in Munster (54%), and its lowest in Connaught/ Ulster and Dublin (both 48%). Improving consumer and public health protection comes in second position in Ireland (39%, for 31% in the EU), regional scores ranging from 36% in Dublin to 43% in Munster. Coordinating economic, budget and tax policies is identified as the third priority policy by respondents in Ireland (35%, for 32% in the EU). This policy is cited most often in Munster (39%), and least often in the Rest of Leinster (31%). 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 (26%) than the European average (20%). This policy achieves its highest score in Connaught/ Ulster (31%) and its lowest in Munster (22%). PRIORITY VALUES: the protection of human rights and equality between men and women are the two most important values that should be defended by the EP for respondents in Ireland, as in the EU as a whole (58% and 38% respectively in Ireland, for 57% and 35% respectively in the EU). The protection of human rights is mentioned most in the Rest of Leinster (62%) and least in Connaught/ Ulster and Dublin (both 55%). Respondents in Connaught/ Ulster (41%) are most likely to mention equality between men and women, which is cited slightly least in the Rest of Leinster (37%). Freedom of speech is the third most frequently mentioned value in Ireland (36%, for 33% in the EU). Its score ranges from 35% in the Rest of Leinster to 37% in both Connaught/ Ulster and Dublin. The protection of minorities comes in fourth position in Ireland (31%, for 21% in the EU), with proportions varying between 28% in Dublin and 33% in Munster. 4

5 MEDIA RECALL OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT EP1 SUBJECTIVE INFORMATION ON THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT'S ACTIVITS EP2 5

6 MY VOICE COUNTS IN THE EU EP13 MY VOICE COUNTS IN OUR COUNTRY EP18 6

7 MEMBERSHIP EP17 IMAGE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT EP10 7

8 THE EXPECTED ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT EP6 KNOWLEDGE OF THE FUNCTIONING OF THE INSTITUTION EP5 8

9 KNOWLEDGE OF THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT EP12 KNOWLEDGE OF THE WAY IN WHICH THE INSTITUTION IS ELECTED EP4.1 9

10 PRIORITY POLICS The European Parliament promotes the development of certain policies at European Union level. In your opinion, which of the following policies should be given priority? (MAX. 4 ANSWERS) Aggregated results Connaught/ Ulster Dublin Munster Rest of Leinster Tackling poverty and social exclusion 51% 51% 48% 48% 54% 53% Improving consumer and public health protection EP7 31% 39% 41% 36% 43% 38% Coordinating economic, budget and tax policies 32% 35% 37% 32% 39% 31% A foreign policy that enables the EU to speak with one voice on the international stage 20% 26% 31% 26% 22% 26% An agricultural policy that is environmentally friendly and contributes to the global food balance 23% 23% 31% 20% 20% 24% Combating climate change 23% 23% 24% 22% 22% 24% A common energy policy intended to ensure the EU s energy independence 21% 22% 23% 23% 21% 20% A security and defence policy that enables the EU to face up to international crisis 27% 21% 24% 20% 20% 21% Combating terrorism while respecting individual freedoms 26% 21% 22% 18% 22% 22% A research and development (R&D) policy that ensures competitiveness and innovation 16% 18% 19% 18% 20% 16% An immigration policy implemented in consultation with countries of origin 20% 16% 17% 14% 16% 17% The assertion of a European social model 14% 8% 7% 10% 7% 7% 10

11 PRIORITY POLICS: TOP FOUR POLICS IN IRELAND EP7.1 EP7.2 11

12 PRIORITY POLICS: TOP FOUR POLICS IN IRELAND EP7.3 EP7.4 12

13 PRIORITY VALUES In your opinion, which of the following values should the European Parliament defend as a matter of priority? (MAX. 3 ANSWERS) Aggregated results Connaught/ Ulster Dublin Munster Rest of Leinster EP8 The protection of human rights 57% 58% 55% 55% 60% 62% Equality between men and women 35% 38% 41% 38% 38% 37% Freedom of speech 33% 36% 37% 37% 36% 35% The protection of minorities 21% 31% 31% 28% 33% 31% Solidarity between EU Member States 33% 29% 33% 29% 28% 28% Solidarity between the EU and poor countries in the world 26% 20% 23% 17% 22% 20% The dialogue between cultures and religions 23% 19% 25% 17% 17% 18% The abolition of the death penalty throughout the world 14% 13% 11% 11% 12% 16% 13

14 PRIORITY VALUES: TOP FOUR VALUES IN IRELAND EP8.1 EP8.2 14

15 PRIORITY VALUES: TOP FOUR VALUES IN IRELAND EP8.3 EP8.4 15