Walsh faces busy agenda for next six months

THE six-month Irish presidency of the European Union, which begins today, coincides with an historic enlargement and the accession of 10 new member States in May.

It will also coincide with the implementation of the mid-term Review of the Common Agricultural Policy, which was agreed last June, further significant commodity reforms, which are currently before the council, and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations.

This year also presents its own complications for the work of the presidency due to the ending of the term of office of the European Parliament and the elections in June. In practice, the parliament will cease to function in April. This has implications for the decision-making process on issues where the parliament has co-decision powers and also on issues where parliament’s opinion is needed before the council takes a decision.