12. Interpretation of the Rules of Procedure

Pursuant to Rule 201(3), the President informed Parliament of the following interpretation of Rule 19(1) provided by the AFCO Committee after the matter had been referred to that committee:

'The powers conferred by this Rule include the power to call an end to excessive use of motions such as points of order, procedural motions, explanations of vote and requests for separate, split or roll-call votes where the President is convinced that these are manifestly intended to cause and will result in a prolonged and serious obstruction of the procedures of the House or the rights of other Members'.

This interpretation would be deemed adopted unless it was contested by a political group or by at least 40 Members (Rule 201(4)) before the the minutes of the sitting were approved. If the interpretation was contested, it would be put to the vote in Parliament.