1. On a proposal from the Conference of Presidents, Parliament may, at any time, set up special committees, the responsibilities, composition and term of office of which shall be defined at the same time as the decision to set them up is taken.
2. The term of office of special committees may not exceed 12 months except where Parliament extends that period before its expiry. Unless otherwise decided in Parliament's decision setting up the special committee, its term of office shall start running from the date of its constituent meeting.
3. Special committees shall not have the right to deliver opinions to other committees.
The version of Rule 197 which will apply from the opening of the July 2019 part-session is reproduced in the Appendix to this edition of the Rules of Procedure.