Rule 197 a (new) – paragraph 1 to 7 (new)
Rule 197a Public hearings on citizens’ initiatives 1. The Vice-President of Parliament responsible for citizens’ initiatives shall, on behalf of the President, liaise with citizens, representative associations and civil society on matters relating to citizens’ initiatives. 2. The Conference of Committee Chairs shall coordinate the public hearings referred to in Article 11 of Regulation (EU) No 211/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 on the citizens’ initiative1. It shall liaise with the Commission and, where necessary, with other Union institutions and bodies to ensure that public hearings are organised and conducted under appropriate conditions. When the Conference of Committee Chairs considers a matter relating to public hearings, it shall invite the Vice- President of Parliament responsible for matters relating to citizens’ initiatives to take part in its proceedings in an advisory capacity. 3. When the Commission has published a citizens’ initiative in the relevant register pursuant to point (a) of Article 10(1) of Regulation (EU) No 211/2011, the Chair of the Conference of Committee Chairs: (a) shall ascertain whether the Commission has received the organisers at an appropriate level in accordance with point (b) of Article 10(1) of the Regulation; (b) shall establish, after consulting the Conference of Committee Chairs, which committee is to be responsible for follow- up of the initiative, including the organisation of the public hearing; (c) may, at the request of the Chair of the committee responsible for the follow-up of the initiative and of the Chair of the Committee on Petitions, authorise members of those committees to take part in organising the public hearing; (d) shall ensure that the Commission is properly involved in organising the public hearing and that it is represented at an appropriate level at the hearing; and (e) shall, in agreement with the chair of the committee responsible, determine an appropriate date for the public hearing within three months of the submission of the initiative to the Commission in accordance with Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 211/2011. 4. Rule 23(9) shall not apply to such public hearings. 5. If the conditions laid down in Rule 50 or Rule 51 are met, those provisions shall apply mutatis mutandis. In that case, the Conference of Committee Chairs may invite the Vice-President of Parliament responsible for matters relating to citizens’ initiatives to chair the public hearing. 6. The committee responsible, together with the Committee on Petitions where requested, shall organise the public hearing at Parliament, if appropriate together with such other Union institutions and bodies and representatives of civil society as may wish to participate. The committee responsible shall invite the organisers of the citizens’ initiative to present the initiative at the hearing. Any Member wishing to attend the public hearing may do so. Steps shall be taken to ensure that members of the public are physically able to participate in the hearing, subject to health and safety regulations. In order to facilitate public participation, the hearing shall be streamed live on the internet, accompanied by interactive use of new technologies and social networking media, in order to facilitate the widest possible involvement of members of the public. The Vice-President of Parliament responsible for matters relating to citizens’ initiatives may deliver an address at the start of the public hearing. 7. Subject to prior authorisation from the Vice-President of Parliament responsible for matters relating to citizens’ initiatives, the travel and subsistence expenses incurred by organisers as a result of their attendance at public hearings to which they have been invited shall be reimbursed subject to the rules adopted by the Bureau and in accordance with the arrangements agreed with the Commission. ________________ 1 OJ L 65, 11.3.2011, p. 1.