Nachgefragt bei… David Geary
Im Format „Nachgefragt bei …“ kommen regelmäßig europäische Stimmen in Form eines Kurzinterviews zu Wort. In dieser Ausgabe sprechen wir mit David Geary, der uns im Kontext der Irischen EU-Ratspräsidentschaft Einblicke in den politischen und öffentlichen Diksurs in Irland gibt und beleuchtet, wie die EU und die eigene Mitgliedschaft wahrgenommen werden. Das Interview führen wir ausnahmsweise auf Englisch.
David Geary ist seit Beginn 2026 CEO der European Movement Ireland, eine Schwesterorganisation der EBD. Zuletzt war er stellvertretender Generalsekretär sowie Kommunikationsdirektor der Irish National Teachers’ Organisation sowie Präsident des Public Relations Institute of Ireland.
Mr Geary, how has the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union influenced political priorities and public debate in Ireland so far?
David Geary: "The Presidency has undoubtedly shaped political debates and priorities in Ireland. Several of the major priorities, such as the EU’s next long term budget – the 2028-2034 MFF, and enlargement are also reminiscent of some of Ireland’s previous presidencies. Ireland’s presidency programme clearly echoes the most pressing issues facing the EU today. Ireland is committed to advancing negotiations with accession countries and hopes to support Montenegro to conclude its negotiations by the end of the Presidency, while unblocking remaining clusters with Moldova and Ukraine. While the change in Hungary’s leadership is a breath of fresh air, the government knows it won’t be plain sailing. Irish people are generally very supportive of enlargement, being acutely aware of how our own EU membership has had such a transformative effect on the country.
The MFF negotiations will be at their most intense during the Presidency, but I think the government is very aware of the complexities and tensions across the Council. One of its main priorities will be advancing the negotiations, with the hope of having a final deal in place by December, ahead of some key elections in France, Spain and Poland in 2027, some of which could risk derailing the budget. While domestically, budget for the next CAP will likely be top of the agenda, as an “honest broker” the government will have to put domestic concerns to the side, as it focuses on facilitating consensus in the Council.
Ireland is also committed to ensuring the EU’s urgent economic targets are met under the EU’s “One Europe, One Market Roadmap” and has made competitiveness front and centre of its Presidency programme. A key focus in this area will be the Savings and Investment Union, tying in with the launch of Ireland’s own State Savings Scheme.
The government is also keenly aware of the importance of strengthening the EU’s security and defence and will have a focus on a new European Security Strategy. The government is committed to advancing the next sanctions package against Russia ahead of the 15 July deadline. Ireland has clearly reiterated its support for Ukraine in its Presidency programme, even inviting President Zelenskky to attend the opening ceremony in Dublin on 1 July.
The focus on EU values, as the third overarching pillar for the Presidency, very much reflects public opinion on where people want the government and ultimately the EU to show more commitment. In a context of growing attacks on the rules-based order, there is significant support among the Irish public for an EU that stands up for human rights globally including in relation to the Middle East, for multilateralism, and for equality and human rights of all citizens in Europe."
Ireland has been a member of the European Union since 1973 and has adopted the euro. How do people in Ireland currently view the European Union?
David Geary: "Irish public support for the EU remains consistently one of the highest in Europe. According to European Movement Ireland’s 2026 poll, 82% of the Irish public supports Ireland’s continued membership, which we know places Ireland well above the EU average. While this support is heartening, our annual polling also demonstrates growing public dissatisfaction with the EU’s performance. Only 45% of people in the Republic believe the EU is moving in the right direction. Among some of the key issues of concern expressed across a range of questions, are the EU’s response to migration, economic and regulatory issues, federalism and sovereignty concerns and the EU’s response to foreign policy. Our poll findings also reflect the public appetite for a more confident and independent Europe vis-à-vis our relationship with the US, which isn’t so surprising given the unpredictability in EU-US relations in areas of trade, security and digital regulation."
Ten years after Brexit, including the debates surrounding cross-border movement on the island of Ireland, what have been the most significant long-term consequences of the UK's withdrawal from the European Union for Ireland?
David Geary: "In recent months, there has been a lot of reflection on the island of Ireland about where we are at 10 years on from Brexit. While much has been achieved through the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, to mitigate the impacts, there is no doubt that it has not been easy for businesses nor citizens in Northern Ireland. The Protocol has enabled Northern Ireland to remain in the UK customs territory and to access the Single Market for the movement of goods. Essentially businesses in Northern Ireland have dual access to UK and EU markets but they still must navigate complex customs paperwork and charges when importing from the UK. Over 300 pieces of EU legislation still apply in Northern Ireland, political representatives and citizens, some of whom are EU citizens, have no means to influence EU policy-making as with the UK’s departure they ceased to be represented in Brussels. In the Republic, Brexit actually served to galvanise public support for the EU as we saw first-hand the detrimental impacts of Brexit in the UK and it reminded us how lucky we are to be part of the EU."
