Euroscepticism in the Republic of Ireland

Sinn Féin long opposed European integration,[4] but now describes itself as "critical, but supportive, of the EU" and does not advocate withdrawal from the Union.

[4] More recently, small right-wing Eurosceptic parties have formed in Ireland, but they lack representation in any elected positions.

[21] A poll conducted by Red C in January 2017 found that 70% were in favour of EU membership while 28% said they would vote for an 'Irexit' if there was a "hard border" with Northern Ireland.

[1] Additional Eurobarometer and Red C polls in the first half of 2017 found that a significant majority agreed that Ireland should remain in the European Union, with the former poll suggesting 90% support for freedom of movement of EU nationals, and 85% support for economic and monetary union.

[36][33] A conference in the RDS, Dublin in February 2018 was claimed by organisers to have been attended by "600 Irexit supporters and young people".

[37] The 2014 European Parliament election saw some support for candidates with eurosceptic connections, with 4 of the available 11 seats going to members of the "soft eurosceptic"[38] GUE-NGL grouping and 1 seat to a Fianna Fáil candidate Brian Crowley, who later joined the European Conservatives and Reformists group.

[40] This followed a number of events, including changes in the post-2008 Irish economic outlook, and the Lisbon Treaty vote, which some commentators linked with a 'scepticism' of some aspects of the union.

[46][47] Other economic commentators, like David McWilliams, argued that membership of the eurozone was bad for the Irish economy.

[49] Anticipation of the potentially negative effect of Brexit on the Irish economy[50] led to some speculation about a possible 'Irexit' both before and after the British referendum.

[6] In November 2016, Harry McGee of The Irish Times reported that "a small but growing band of public figures [were] questioning the basis of Irish EU membership",[54] identifying the Socialist Workers Party and Socialist Party as groups that would support an exit.

[54] After the Brexit vote however, polls indicated that 80% of those asked would not support a similar Irish exit.