Rule 66  : Referral to and procedure in the committee responsible

1.    On the day of its communication to Parliament pursuant to Rule 64(1), the Council's position shall be deemed to have been referred automatically to the committee responsible and to the committees asked for their opinion at first reading.

2.    The Council's position shall be entered as the first item on the agenda of the first meeting of the committee responsible following the date of its communication. The Council may be invited to present its position.

3.    Unless otherwise decided, the rapporteur at second reading shall be the same as at first reading.

4.    The provisions for Parliament's second reading in Rule 69(2), (3) and (5) shall apply to the proceedings in the committee responsible; only members or permanent substitutes of that committee may table proposals for rejection and amendments. The committee shall decide by a majority of the votes cast.

5.    Before voting, the committee may request the Chair and rapporteur to discuss amendments that have been tabled in the committee with the President of the Council or the latter's representative and with the Commissioner responsible present. The rapporteur may table compromise amendments following such discussion.

6.    The committee responsible shall submit a recommendation for second reading proposing the approval, amendment or rejection of the position adopted by the Council. The recommendation shall include a short justification for the decision proposed.