Rule 221 : Dismissal of the Ombudsman

1.   One tenth of Parliament's component Members may request the dismissal of the Ombudsman if he or she no longer fulfils the conditions required for the performance of his or her duties or is guilty of serious misconduct. Where such a request for dismissal has been voted on in the preceding two months, a new one may only be tabled by one fifth of the component Members of Parliament.

2.   The request shall be forwarded to the Ombudsman and to the committee responsible, which, if it decides by a majority of its members that the reasons are well founded, shall submit a report to Parliament. If he or she so requests, the Ombudsman shall be heard before the report is put to the vote. Parliament shall, following a debate, take a decision by secret ballot.

3.   Before taking the vote, the President shall ensure that at least half of Parliament's component Members are present.

4.   If the vote is in favour of the Ombudsman's dismissal and he or she does not resign, the President shall, at the latest by the part-session following that at which the vote was held, apply to the Court of Justice to have the Ombudsman dismissed and request that a ruling be given without delay.

Resignation by the Ombudsman shall terminate the procedure.