The cost-of-living and housing were the main reasons why Irish citizens were encouraged to vote in this summer’s European elections, according to the results of an EU-wide survey.
Research commissioned by the European Commission shows that 56% of Irish voters said rising prices and living costs were the main issue driving their voting decision, compared to the EU average of 42%.
Housing was the second biggest topic in motivating Irish people to vote, with 44% citing the issue as a reason — in contrast to just 10% of all EU voters.
Migration came next with 39% of Irish respondents claiming it was a reason why they voted, some 11 percentage points above the EU average.
Although migration was the third biggest issue for Irish voters, it was ranked joint fifth place with climate change by all EU citizens after rising prices, the economic situation, the international situation, and democracy and the rule of law.
The Eurobarometer poll surveyed over 26,300 adults across the 27 EU member states, including over 1,000 in the Republic of Ireland.
The report also revealed that 51% of the Irish electorate turned out to vote in the election to the European Parliament in June — the joint 11th highest rate, matching the average turnout for voters across all 27 EU member states.
Voter turnout was highest in Belgium at 89% and lowest in Croatia at 21%.
The main reason cited by Irish citizens who chose not to vote in the European election was because they were too busy or had no time, which was selected by 22%, followed by not interested in politics (16%) and people who said they rarely or ever vote (15%).
Asked what the main benefits are of being a member of the EU, 50% of Irish voters claimed it was the contribution that the EU made to Ireland’s economic growth. Some 39% stated that it helped to improve people’s standard of living and 37% believed it brought people new work opportunities.
Irish people also confirmed their status as one of the strongest supporters of the EU, with 71% saying it conjured up a positive impact for them — far higher than the EU average of 48%.
63% of Irish respondents said they held a favourable view on the European Parliament, compared to the EU average of 42%, which was still the highest positive rating ever recorded.
Irish people were also considerably more optimistic about the future of the EU than most other Europeans, with 84% having a positive outlook when compared to the EU average of 65%.
