Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 51
Where the conditions set out in Rule 49(1) and Rule 50 are fulfilled, the Conference of Presidents may, if it is satisfied that the matter is of major importance, decide that a procedure with joint meetings of committees and a joint vote is to be applied. In that event, the rapporteurs concerned shall draw up a single draft report, which shall be examined and voted on by the committees involved1. When a question of competence is referred to it pursuant to Rule 188(2), the Conference of Presidents may decide that the procedure with joint meetings of committees and a joint vote is to be applied, provided that: – with reference to Annex VII, responsibility for the matter cannot be split between several committees; and – it is satisfied that the matter is of major importance. 2. In that event, the respective rapporteurs shall draw up a single draft report, which shall be examined and voted on by the committees involved at joint meetings held under the joint chairmanship of the committee Chairs concerned. At all stages of the procedure, the rights attaching to the status of committee responsible may be exercised by the committees concerned only when acting jointly. The committees involved may set up working groups to prepare the meetings and votes. 3. At the second-reading stage of the ordinary legislative procedure, the Council position shall be considered at a joint meeting of the committees concerned, which, should no agreement be reached between their Chairs, shall be held on the Wednesday of the first week set aside for meetings of parliamentary bodies following the communication of the Council’s position to Parliament. Should no agreement be reached on the convening of a further meeting, any such meeting shall be convened by the Chair of the Conference of Committee Chairs. The vote on the recommendation for second reading shall be taken at a joint meetings held under the joint chairmanship of the committee Chairs concerned. The committees involved may set up inter- committee working groups to prepare the joint meetings and vot on the basis of a joint text drafted by the respective rapporteurs of the committees concerned or, in the absence of a joint text, on the basis of the amendments tabled in the committees concerned. At the third-reading stage of the ordinary legislative procedure, the Chairs and rapporteurs of the committees concerned shall be ex officio members of the delegation to the Conciliation Committee. 4. Taking account of the criteria laid down in paragraph 1 and any agreements between the Chairs of the committees concerned, the President shall determine, without delay after their receipt, the committee responsible or the committees jointly responsible for considering delegated acts or draft implementing measures.