Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament - July 2004

Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament

16th edition - July 2004

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		CONTENTS
		INDEX
		USEFUL INFORMATION

CONTENTS

Titles

Annexes

TITLE I: MEMBERS, PARLIAMENT BODIES AND POLITICAL GROUPS

CHAPTER 1: MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
Rule 1 :	The European Parliament
Rule 2 :	The independent mandate
Rule 3 :	Verification of credentials
Rule 4 :	Term of office of Members
Rule 5 :	Privileges and immunities
Rule 6 :	Waiver of immunity
Rule 7 :	Procedures on immunity
Rule 8 :	Payment of expenses and allowances
Rule 9 :	Code of conduct
Rule 10 :	Internal investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
CHAPTER 2: OFFICERS OF PARLIAMENT
Rule 11 :	Oldest Member
Rule 12 :	Nominations and general provisions
Rule 13 :	Election of President - opening address
Rule 14 :	Election of Vice-Presidents
Rule 15 :	Election of Quaestors
Rule 16 :	Term of office of Officers
Rule 17 :	Vacancies
Rule 18 :	Early termination of an office
CHAPTER 3: BODIES AND DUTIES
Rule 19 :	Duties of the President
Rule 20 :	Duties of the Vice-Presidents
Rule 21 :	Composition of the Bureau
Rule 22 :	Duties of the Bureau
Rule 23 :	Composition of the Conference of Presidents
Rule 24 :	Duties of the Conference of Presidents
Rule 25 :	Duties of the Quaestors
Rule 26 :	Conference of Committee Chairmen
Rule 27 :	Conference of Delegation Chairmen
Rule 28 :	Accountability of the Bureau and the Conference of Presidents
CHAPTER 4: POLITICAL GROUPS
Rule 29 :	Formation of political groups
Rule 30 :	Activities and legal situation of the political groups
Rule 31 :	Non-attached Members
Rule 32 :	Allocation of seats in the Chamber

TITLE II : LEGISLATIVE, BUDGETARY AND OTHER PROCEDURES

CHAPTER 1: LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURES - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Rule 33 :	Commission's legislative and work programme
Rule 34 :	Examination of respect for fundamental rights, the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, the rule of law, and financial implications
Rule 35 :	Verification of legal basis
Rule 36 :	Verification of financial compatibility
Rule 37 :	Access to documents and provision of information to Parliament
Rule 38 :	Representation of Parliament in Council meetings
Rule 39 :	Initiative pursuant to Article 192 of the EC Treaty
Rule 40 :	Consideration of legislative documents
Rule 41 :	Consultation on initiatives originating from a Member State
CHAPTER 2: PROCEDURE IN COMMITTEE
Rule 42 :	Legislative reports
Rule 43 :	Simplified procedure
Rule 44 :	Non-legislative reports
Rule 45 :	Own-initiative reports
Rule 46 :	Opinions of committees
Rule 47 :	Enhanced cooperation between committees
Rule 48 :	Drafting of reports
CHAPTER 3: FIRST READING
Committee stage
Rule 49 :	Modification of a Commission proposal
Rule 50 :	Commission and Council position on amendments
Plenary stage
Rule 51 :	Conclusion of first reading
Rule 52 :	Rejection of a Commission proposal
Rule 53 :	Adoption of amendments to a Commission proposal
Follow-up procedure
Rule 54 :	Follow-up to Parliament's opinion
Rule 55 :	Renewed referral to Parliament
Rule 56 :	Conciliation procedure contained in the 1975 joint declaration
CHAPTER 4: SECOND READING
Committee stage
Rule 57 :	Communication of the Council's common position
Rule 58 :	Extension of time limits
Rule 59 :	Referral to and procedure in the committee responsible
Plenary stage
Rule 60 :	Conclusion of second reading
Rule 61 :	Rejection of the Council's common position
Rule 62 :	Amendments to the Council's common position
CHAPTER 5: THIRD READING
Conciliation
Rule 63 :	Convening of Conciliation Committee
Rule 64 :	Delegation to Conciliation Committee
Plenary stage
Rule 65 :	Joint text
CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURE
Rule 66 :	First reading agreement
Rule 67 :	Second reading agreement
Rule 68 :	Signature of adopted acts
CHAPTER 7: BUDGETARY PROCEDURES
Rule 69 :	General Budget
Rule 70 :	Discharge to the Commission in respect of implementation of the budget
Rule 71 :	Other discharge procedures
Rule 72 :	Parliamentary control over implementation of the budget
CHAPTER 8: INTERNAL BUDGETARY PROCEDURES
Rule 73 :	Estimates of Parliament
Rule 74 :	Power to incur and settle expenditure
CHAPTER 9: ASSENT PROCEDURE
Rule 75 :	Assent procedure
CHAPTER 10: ENHANCED COOPERATION
Rule 76 :	Procedures in Parliament
CHAPTER 11: OTHER PROCEDURES
Rule 77 :	Procedure for delivering opinions pursuant to Article 122 of the EC Treaty
Rule 78 :	Procedures relating to dialogue between management and labour
Rule 79 :	Procedures relating to scrutiny of voluntary agreements
Rule 80 :	Codification
Rule 81 :	Implementing provisions
CHAPTER 12: TREATIES AND INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
Rule 82 :	Accession treaties
Rule 83 :	International agreements
Rule 84 :	Procedures based on Article 300 of the EC Treaty in the case of provisional application or the suspension of international agreements or the establishment of the Community position in a body set up by an international agreement
CHAPTER 13: EXTERNAL REPRESENTATION OF THE UNION AND COMMON FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICY
Rule 85 :	Appointment of the High Representative for the common foreign and security policy
Rule 86 :	Appointment of special representatives for the purposes of the common foreign and security policy
Rule 87 :	Statements by the High Representative for the common foreign and security policy and by other special representatives
Rule 88 :	International representation
Rule 89 :	Consultation of and provision of information to Parliament within the framework of the common foreign and security policy
Rule 90 :	Recommendations within the framework of the common foreign and security policy
Rule 91 :	Breach of human rights
CHAPTER 14: POLICE AND JUDICIAL COOPERATION IN CRIMINAL MATTERS
Rule 92 :	Provision of information to Parliament in the fields of police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters
Rule 93 :	Consultation of Parliament in the fields of police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters
Rule 94 :	Recommendations in the fields of police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters
CHAPTER 15: BREACH BY A MEMBER STATE OF FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
Rule 95 :	Determination of a breach

TITLE III : TRANSPARENCY OF BUSINESS

Rule 96 :	Transparency of Parliament's activities
Rule 97 :	Public access to documents

TITLE IV : RELATIONS WITH OTHER BODIES

CHAPTER 1: APPOINTMENTS
Rule 98 :	Election of the President of the Commission
Rule 99 :	Election of the Commission
Rule 100 :	Motion of censure on the Commission
Rule 101 :	Appointment of the Members of the Court of Auditors
Rule 102 :	Appointment of the Members of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank
CHAPTER 2: STATEMENTS
Rule 103 :	Statements by the Commission, Council and European Council
Rule 104 :	Statements explaining Commission decisions
Rule 105 :	Statements by the Court of Auditors
Rule 106 :	Statements by the European Central Bank
Rule 107 :	Recommendation on the broad guidelines of economic policies
CHAPTER 3: QUESTIONS TO THE COUNCIL, THE COMMISSION AND THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK
Rule 108 :	Questions for oral answer with debate
Rule 109 :	Question Time
Rule 110 :	Questions for written answer
Rule 111 :	Questions for written answer to the European Central Bank
CHAPTER 4: REPORTS OF OTHER INSTITUTIONS
Rule 112 :	Annual reports and other reports of other institutions
CHAPTER 5: RESOLUTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Rule 113 :	Motions for resolutions
Rule 114 :	Recommendations to the Council
Rule 115 :	Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
Rule 116 :	Written declarations
Rule 117 :	Consultation of the European Economic and Social Committee
Rule 118 :	Consultation of the Committee of the Regions
Rule 119 :	Requests to European Agencies
CHAPTER 6: INTERINSTITUTIONAL AGREEMENTS
Rule 120 :	Interinstitutional agreements
CHAPTER 7: REFERRALS TO THE COURT OF JUSTICE
Rule 121 :	Proceedings before the Court of Justice
Rule 122 :	Consequences of the Council failing to act following approval of its common position under the cooperation procedure

TITLE V : RELATIONS WITH NATIONAL PARLIAMENTS

Rule 123 :	Exchange of information, contacts and reciprocal facilities
Rule 124 :	Conference of European Affairs Committees (COSAC)
Rule 125 :	Conference of Parliaments

TITLE VI : SESSIONS

CHAPTER 1: SESSIONS OF PARLIAMENT
Rule 126 :	Parliamentary term, sessions, part-sessions, sittings
Rule 127 :	Convening of Parliament
Rule 128 :	Venue of sittings and meetings
Rule 129 :	Attendance of Members at sittings
CHAPTER 2: ORDER OF BUSINESS OF PARLIAMENT
Rule 130 :	Draft agenda
Rule 131 :	Procedure in plenary without amendment and debate
Rule 132 :	Adopting and amending the agenda
Rule 133 :	Extraordinary debate
Rule 134 :	Urgent procedure
Rule 135 :	Joint debate
Rule 136 :	Time limits
CHAPTER 3: GENERAL RULES FOR THE CONDUCT OF SITTINGS
Rule 137 :	Access to the Chamber
Rule 138 :	Languages
Rule 139 :	Transitional arrangement
Rule 140 :	Distribution of documents
Rule 141 :	Calling speakers and content of speeches
Rule 142 :	Allocation of speaking time
Rule 143 :	List of speakers
Rule 144 :	One-minute speeches
Rule 145 :	Personal statements
Rule 146 :	Order in the Chamber
Rule 147 :	Exclusion of Members
Rule 148 :	Disturbances
CHAPTER 4: QUORUM AND VOTING
Rule 149 :	Quorum
Rule 150 :	Tabling and moving amendments
Rule 151 :	Admissibility of amendments
Rule 152 :	Voting procedure
Rule 153 :	Tied votes
Rule 154 :	Principles governing voting
Rule 155 :	Order of voting on amendments
Rule 156 :	Committee consideration of plenary amendments
Rule 157 :	Split voting
Rule 158 :	Right to vote
Rule 159 :	Voting
Rule 160 :	Voting by roll call
Rule 161 :	Electronic voting
Rule 162 :	Voting by secret ballot
Rule 163 :	Explanations of vote
Rule 164 :	Disputes on voting
CHAPTER 5: INTERRUPTIVE AND PROCEDURAL MOTIONS
Rule 165 :	Procedural motions
Rule 166 :	Points of order
Rule 167 :	Moving the inadmissibility of a matter
Rule 168 :	Referral back to committee
Rule 169 :	Closure of a debate
Rule 170 :	Adjournment of a debate and vote
Rule 171 :	Suspension or closure of the sitting
CHAPTER 6: PUBLIC RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Rule 172 :	Minutes
Rule 173 :	Verbatim reports

TITLE VII : COMMITTEES AND DELEGATIONS

CHAPTER 1: COMMITTEES - SETTING UP AND POWERS
Rule 174 :	Setting up of standing committees
Rule 175 :	Setting up of temporary committees
Rule 176 :	Committees of inquiry
Rule 177 :	Composition of committees
Rule 178 :	Substitutes
Rule 179 :	Duties of committees
Rule 180 :	Committee responsible for the verification of credentials
Rule 181 :	Subcommittees
Rule 182 :	Committee bureaux
CHAPTER 2: COMMITTEES - FUNCTIONING
Rule 183 :	Committee meetings
Rule 184 :	Minutes of committee meetings
Rule 185 :	Voting in committee
Rule 186 :	Provisions concerning plenary sittings applicable in committee
Rule 187 :	Question Time in committee
CHAPTER 3: INTERPARLIAMENTARY DELEGATIONS
Rule 188 :	Setting up and duties of interparliamentary delegations
Rule 189 :	Cooperation with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
Rule 190 :	Joint parliamentary committees

TITLE VIII : PETITIONS

Rule 191 :	Right of petition
Rule 192 :	Examination of petitions
Rule 193 :	Notice of petitions

TITLE IX : OMBUDSMAN

Rule 194 :	Appointment of the Ombudsman
Rule 195 :	Activities of the Ombudsman
Rule 196 :	Dismissal of the Ombudsman

TITLE X : PARLIAMENT'S SECRETARIAT

Rule 197 :

Secretariat

TITLE XI : POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES RELATING TO POLITICAL PARTIES AT EUROPEAN LEVEL

Rule 198 :	Powers and responsibilities of the President
Rule 199 :	Powers and responsibilities of the Bureau
Rule 200 :	Powers and responsibilities of the committee responsible and of Parliament’s plenary

TITLE XII : APPLICATION AND AMENDMENT OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURE

Rule 201 :	Application of the Rules of Procedure
Rule 202 :	Amendment of the Rules of Procedure

TITLE XIII : MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Rule 203 :	Unfinished business
Rule 204 :	Arrangement of annexes

ANNEX I

Provisions governing the application of Rule 9(1) - Transparency and Members' financial interests

ANNEX II

Conduct of Question Time under Rule 109

ANNEX III

Guidelines and general principles to be followed when choosing the subjects to be included on the agenda for the debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law provided for under Rule 115

ANNEX IV

Implementing procedures for examination of the general budget of the European Union and supplementary budgets

ANNEX V

Procedure for the consideration and adoption of decisions on the granting of discharge

ANNEX VI

Powers and responsibilities of standing committees
I. :	Committee on Foreign Affairs
II. :	Committee on Development
III. :	Committee on International Trade
IV. :	Committee on Budgets
V. :	Committee on Budgetary Control
VI. :	Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs
VII. :	Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
VIII. :	Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
IX. :	Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
X. :	Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection
XI. :	Committee on Transport and Tourism
XII. :	Committee on Regional Development
XIII. :	Committee on Agriculture
XIV. :	Committee on Fisheries
XV. :	Committee on Culture and Education
XVI. :	Committee on Legal Affairs
XVII. :	Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
XVIII. :	Committee on Constitutional Affairs
XIX. :	Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality
XX. :	Committee on Petitions