Rule 226 : Application of the Rules of Procedure

1.   If doubt arises over the application or interpretation of these Rules of Procedure, the President may refer the matter to the committee responsible for examination.

Committee Chairs may do so when such a doubt arises in the course of the committee's work and is related to it.

2.   The committee shall decide whether it is necessary to propose an amendment to the Rules of Procedure. If this should be the case, it shall proceed in accordance with Rule 227.

3.   If the committee decides that an interpretation of the existing Rules is sufficient, it shall forward its interpretation to the President, who shall inform Parliament thereof at its next part-session.

4.   If a political group or Members reaching at least the low threshold contest the committee's interpretation within a period of 24 hours following its announcement, the matter shall be put to the vote in Parliament. Adoption of the text shall be by a majority of the votes cast, provided that at least one third of Parliament's component Members are present. In the event of rejection, the matter shall be referred back to the committee.

5.   Uncontested interpretations and interpretations adopted by Parliament shall be appended in italic print as explanatory notes to the appropriate Rule or Rules.

6.   Interpretations shall constitute precedents for the future application and interpretation of the Rules concerned.

7.   The Rules of Procedure and interpretations shall be reviewed regularly by the committee responsible.

8.   Where these Rules confer rights on a specific number of Members, that number shall be automatically adjusted to the nearest whole number representing the same percentage of Parliament's membership whenever the total size of Parliament is modified, in particular following enlargements of the European Union.