EP Rules of procedure, rule 136: provisions governing the right of inquiry

Adopting the report by Mr Ben FAYOT (PSE, L), the European Parliament amended Article 136 of its Rules of Procedure on temporary committees of inquiry. According to the new Article 136, the European Parliament may, at the request of one quarter of its members, set up a temporary committee of inquiry to investigate alleged contraventions of Community law or maladministration in the application of Community law which would appear to be the act of Community institution or body or of persons empowered by Community law to implement that law. The request to set up a committee of inquiry must be substantiated in detail and must specify the subject of the inquiry. The committee of inquiry concludes its work on the submission of a report within a maximum period of twelve months, although the European Parliament may twice decide to extend this deadline by an additional three months. The committee may submit to Parliament a draft recommendation addressed to Community institutions or bodies or the Member States. Provisions guarantee confidentiality and secrecy, where required, and the possibility for any person called to give evidence to claim the rights which they would enjoy if acting as a witness before a tribunal in their country of origin.�