Brussels, 26/01/2014 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament decided on Tuesday 25 February to amend Rule 136 of the European Parliament rules of procedure so as to record expressly in the minutes those members who were not present but had been excused by the president (for example, because they were on maternity or paternity leave).
Currently, the concept of maternity/paternity leave does not exist in the legal provisions governing the parliamentary mandate (the act of 1976 and the Members' Statute). It is, however, recognised as a legitimate reason for absence from official meetings (Article 31(4) of the Implementing Measures for the Members' Statute).
Rule 136 of the rules of procedure of the European Parliament regulates the attendance register. In its current version it only distinguishes between those members who are “present” during a sitting (based on the member's signature in the attendance register) and those that are not. It does not take into account any authorised absences, granted by the president. The proposed amendment of rule of procedure 136 suggests listing in the protocol of each sitting the names of those members who have been granted permission by the president not to attend as “excused”.
This way, the attendance record of those members that have been excused by the president (upon submission of supporting documents to the quaestors) on the grounds of ill-health, serious family circumstances, presence on mission on behalf of the Parliament, expectation of child birth or maternity leave would no longer be counted as “not present”.
This amendment is solely aimed at reducing the negative impact on members' attendance record and the resulting “parliamentary activity indicators” on websites such as Vote Watch in those well justified cases. This measure will have no financial implications. (LC)