In order to do the preparatory work for Parliament's
plenary sittings, the Members are divided up among a number of
specialised standing committees.
There are 20 parliamentary committees. A committee
consists of between 25 and 78 MEPs, and has a chair, a bureau and
a secretariat. The political make-up of the committees reflects
that of the plenary assembly.
The parliamentary committees meet once or twice
a month in Brussels. Their debates are held in public.
The committees draw up, amend and adopt legislative
proposals and own-initiative reports. They consider Commission
and Council proposals and, where necessary, draw up reports to
be presented to the plenary assembly.
Parliament can also set up sub-committees and
temporary committees to deal with specific issues, and committees
of inquiry under its supervisory remit.
The committee chairs coordinate the work of
the committees in the Conference of Committee Chairmen.
