Decision extending Rule 168 of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure until the end of the tenth parliamentary term

The European Parliament adopted the resolution on the decision to extend Rule 168 of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure until the end of the tenth parliamentary term.

Pursuant to Rule 167, all Parliament’s documents are to be drawn up in the official languages, and all Members have the right to speak in Parliament in the official language of their choice, with interpretation being provided into the other official languages.

Under Rule 168, derogations from Rule 167 are permissible until the end of the ninth parliamentary term if and to the extent that, despite adequate precautions having been taken, interpreters or translators required for an official language are not available in sufficient numbers.

Despite sustained and continuous interinstitutional efforts and considerable progress, the number of qualified translators is still expected to be so limited as regards Irish that, for the foreseeable future, full coverage of that language under Rule 167 cannot be assured for documents other than legal acts of general application.

Rule 168(4) provides that, on the basis of a reasoned recommendation from the Bureau, Parliament may decide, at the end of the parliamentary term, to extend that Rule.

In the light of the foregoing, the Bureau has recommended that Rule 168 be extended until the end of the tenth parliamentary term.

Against this background, Parliament decided to extend Rule 168 of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure until the end of the tenth parliamentary term.