On 1 July 2009, Sweden took over the Presidency of the EU. This means that for six months, Sweden is leading the EU's work and is responsible for moving important EU issues forward.
The Presidency of the Council rotates between the Member States. The Presidency rotates on a half-yearly basis. The country presiding over the Council functions as the driving force in the EU's legislative and political decision-making process.
The Presidency is a unique opportunity for Sweden to lead and influence work on important EU issues. At the same time, the country holding the Presidency must be flexible and prepared to deal with unexpected issues.

Membership

The Joint Committee is made up of 22 members drawn from Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann, both Houses of the Oireachtas. The Minister for Foreign Affairs is an ex officio member of the Committee. The Committee is appointed for the life of the Parliament and re-established after each parliamentary election. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman are elected from among the Committee’s members. Irish MEPs (and Northern Ireland MEPs) and members of the Irish delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe may attend and participate at meetings of the Committee.

The Committee was established by Dáil Éireann on 23 October 2007 and by Seanad Éirerann on Wednesday 24 October.

The members of the Committee are: