Why Public Attitudes Matter for Business and Ireland's EU Presidency

Public trust is becoming a boardroom issue

Boards are well used to scanning the horizon for geopolitical risk, regulatory change, inflation and technological disruption. Increasingly, though, there is another factor that deserves a place on the dashboard. Public trust.

Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which runs until the end of the year, offers businesses an opportunity to look beyond the legislative programme and consider the wider environment in which European policy is made. Markets, investment and regulation do not exist in isolation. They are shaped by public confidence, political legitimacy and the strength of democratic systems.
 
European Movement Ireland (EMI) has tracked attitudes towards the European Union on an all-island basis since 2013, the latest 2026 EMI Poll was published in May. The new research found that support for EU membership remains consistently high, with more than eight in ten people believing membership has benefited Ireland. At the same time, our research points to a more nuanced picture of public trust. Only around a third of respondents feel adequately represented in EU decision making, while trust in public institutions remains fragile.
 
For boards, public trust increasingly shapes the context in which business operates. Companies are expected not only to comply with regulation but also to demonstrate that they understand the broader social and political environment in which that regulation is developed. Stakeholder engagement, reputation and long-term resilience all depend on it.

The Presidency priorities matter for business

Ireland has placed competitiveness, values and security at the centre of its Presidency. Each presents opportunities for business, but each also reflects wider public expectations.
 
Take the debate around democratic resilience. Initiatives such as the European Democracy Shield, alongside work on anti-racism, LGBTQIA+ inclusion and equality, are often viewed through a political lens. Yet they also speak to the kind of society in which businesses recruit talent, build consumer confidence and attract investment. Healthy democracies and confidence in the rule of law are not simply constitutional ideals. They are economic assets.
 
Migration is another example. Public debate often focuses on political disagreement, but for many businesses the practical questions are around workforce planning, skills shortages and long-term economic growth. The implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum will inevitably continue to attract public scrutiny. Understanding that debate, rather than simply following the legislation, will become increasingly important.
 
The negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework deserve similar attention. While discussions about the EU budget can seem remote from everyday business, they will influence investment in research, innovation, infrastructure, competitiveness and regional development across Europe for years to come. They will also shape the level of support available for civil society organisations, many of which play an important role in strengthening democratic participation and social cohesion.
 
The Presidency's focus on simplifying regulation presents another important test. Businesses have consistently argued for a more proportionate and efficient regulatory environment. That objective is widely shared. The challenge is ensuring that simplification strengthens competitiveness without weakening confidence in the standards and protections that underpin the Single Market. Getting that balance right matters for business as much as it matters for citizens.

Why civil society matters

This is where civil society also has an important role to play.
 
Too often, engagement with civil society is viewed as separate from business interests. In reality, both sectors frequently want the same outcomes: stable governance, predictable policymaking, a trusted Single Market, effective digital regulation, sustainable investment and long-term economic resilience.
 
Civil society organisations can also provide something that businesses increasingly need. They often identify emerging public concerns before they become political priorities or legislative proposals. Listening to those perspectives is not about agreeing with every campaign or position. It is about understanding how public expectations are evolving and where future risks or opportunities may emerge.

Three questions for boards

• As boards consider the impact of major European policy decisions, there are perhaps three questions worth asking. 

•  Whose voices have shaped this debate? 

•  How is public trust likely to influence its implementation? 

•  Will the outcome strengthen confidence in Europe's governance over the long term?

Competitiveness depends on public trust

Competitiveness and public trust are not competing objectives. In many respects, they depend on one another. Businesses thrive where decision-making is trusted, policymaking is predictable and citizens have confidence that decisions are being made fairly.
 
Ireland's Presidency provides an opportunity to remind ourselves that Europe's future will not be shaped by legislation alone. It will also be shaped by whether citizens continue to believe in the systems that produce it. Boards that understand both the policy agenda and the public mood will be better placed to anticipate change, manage risk and contribute to a stronger and more resilient European economy.

About the Author

David Geary is Chief Executive Officer of European Movement Ireland, the independent, not-for-profit organisation working to strengthen the connection between Ireland and Europe through dialogue, engagement and advocacy. As CEO, he leads the organisation's strategic direction at a pivotal time as Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, working with policymakers, business leaders and civil society to promote informed public discussion on European affairs.
 
David brings extensive experience in public affairs, strategic communications and European policy. Prior to joining European Movement Ireland, he served as Assistant General Secretary and Director of Communications at the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO). He previously worked as Deputy Head of EU and International Affairs at the Federation of Small Businesses in the UK, representing SME interests at European level, and earlier served as Communications and Policy Manager with European Movement UK. David is a former President of the Public Relations Institute of Ireland.