The European Parliament adopted a decision on the amendment of Rule 81 of Parliament's Rules of Procedure on the consent procedure.
The decision deals with the way in which Parliament gives its consent in procedures (formerly known as the assent procedure) where it is required pursuant to the Treaties. It agreed to modify Article 81 as follows:
Recommendation from the committee responsible: Parliament, when adopting its decision, should take into account a recommendation from the committee responsible to approve or reject the act in question. The recommendation should include citations but not recitals. It may include a short justification, which shall be the responsibility of the rapporteur and which shall not be put to the vote.
Amendments tabled in committee would be admissible only if they aim to reverse the recommendation as proposed by the rapporteur.
The committee responsible may table a motion for a non-legislative resolution. Other committees may be involved in drawing up the resolution.
Vote: Parliament would decide on the act requiring its consent by means of a single vote, irrespective of whether the recommendation from the committee responsible is to approve or reject the act. No amendments may be tabled.
If the majority required (or, the majority of the votes cast where no majority is specified), is not obtained, the proposed act shall be deemed to have been rejected.
At the committee level, the committee responsible should deal with the request for consent without undue delay.If the committee responsible decides not to give a recommendation, or has not adopted a recommendation within six months after the request for consent has been referred to it, the Conference of Presidents may:
· either place the matter on the agenda for a subsequent part-session for consideration,
· or decide to extend the six-month period in duly substantiated cases.
Suspension clause relating to the conclusion of international agreements: Parliament may decide, on the basis of a recommendation from the committee responsible, to suspend the consent procedure for the conclusion of an international agreement for no longer than one year.