Irish people are the most optimistic about the future of the European Union, according to the latest Eurobarometer survey.
The survey across 28 member states also found that optimism has grown by seven points, to 78 per cent in Ireland, above the EU average of 56 per cent.
Ireland has also posted the most striking increase in EU optimism; 7 percentage points since spring.
Some 53 per cent of Irish people reported having a “positive image” of the EU. Ireland’s increase in this category, since spring 2014, was the highest in the EU.
Other countries to express rising optimism are Sweden (66 per cent) and Poland (74 per cent).
The survey also found that optimism has grown by seven points, to 78 per cent in Ireland, over the past 12 months.
Other countries that reported rising optimism are Sweden (6 per cent) and Poland (7 per cent).
Optimism has fallen in 15 countries, most steeply in Cyprus at 40 per cent.
When asked about issues of national concern, 48 per cent of Irish people surveyed said unemployment is one of the most important issues facing the country while the economic situation was cited second.