EU falls short on Covid effort

Residents in the west are split down the middle on the EU’s handling of COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new poll.

Just 42% of those surveyed in Connacht and Ulster agreed that it has responded well – an approval rating even lower than the national average of 47%, with 46% judging that it had not.

Three-quarters of those living in the west agree that EU trade deals with other countries around the world benefit Ireland, according to the same annual European Movement Ireland (EM Ireland) – RED C Research poll.

But just 19% concur that an EU-UK trade deal will be agreed by the end of 2020 compared to a national rate of 27% overall across the country.

The poll found that just 27% in Connacht and Ulster agree that EU countries, including Ireland, should contribute more to the EU budget – an important issue for the EU in the coming years, more so at present during the economic downturn expected from the COVID-19 pandemic.

This compared to a higher figure of 35% overall across Ireland – a drop from 58% in 2019 and 2018, who agreed with a similar question on the EU budget and Ireland’s contribution.

This year’s poll also recorded a drop in support for increased Irish involvement in EU security and defence co-operation.

Having polled 59% support in 2018, 58% in 2019, it has now fallen to 43% in Connacht and Ulster, and 49% across Ireland in 2020.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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