Members who wish to speak at a plenary sitting or in a committee have to give previous notice, except in unavoidable circumstances. All speeches - i.e., questions, debate, points of order, vindicating oneself, etc. - require the invitation of the speaker or the chairman of the committee.In a plenary sitting, speeches are made from the rostrum, but if the speaker grants permission, a member may speak from his or her own seat. Prior to a plenary sitting, the Rules and Administration Committee arranges the number of speakers, the order of speeches, and the allocation of time for each speech in proportion to the numerical strength of each party or group.
In committees, members speak from the seat reserved for speakers. Before a committee meeting, the chairman and the directors of the committee usually meet to decide the number of speakers, the order of speeches, and the allocation of time for each speech.
A member cannot ask more than three questions on the same subject in the same plenary sitting; there is no such limit in committee meetings.