Rule 99 : Consent procedure

1.   Where Parliament is asked to give its consent to a legally binding act, the committee responsible shall submit to Parliament a recommendation to approve or reject the proposed act.

The recommendation shall include citations but shall not include recitals. Amendments in committee shall be admissible only if they aim to reverse the recommendation proposed by the rapporteur.

The recommendation may be accompanied by a short explanatory statement. That statement shall be the sole responsibility of the rapporteur and shall not be put to the vote. Rule 52a(2) shall apply mutatis mutandis.

2.   The committee responsible may also, if necessary, table a report, including a motion for a non-legislative resolution setting out the reasons why Parliament should give or refuse its consent and, where appropriate, making recommendations for the implementation of the proposed act.

3.   The committee responsible shall deal with the request for consent without undue delay. If the committee responsible has not adopted its recommendation within six months after the request for consent was referred to it, the Conference of Presidents may either place the matter on the agenda for consideration at a subsequent part-session or, in duly justified cases, decide to extend the six-month period.

4.   Parliament shall decide on the proposed act by means of a single vote on consent, regardless of whether the recommendation from the committee responsible is to approve or reject the act, and no amendments may be tabled. If the majority required is not obtained, the proposed act shall be deemed to have been rejected.

5.   Where Parliament's consent is required, the committee responsible may, at any time, present an interim report to Parliament, including a motion for a resolution containing recommendations for the modification or the implementation of the proposed act.