RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS (2006)
RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR PARLIAMENTARY RESEARCH SERVICES
VIENNA 2008
RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS (2006)
Appendix:
Rules and Regulations for Parliamentary Research Services
Editors/publishers: The Parliamentary Administration A-1017 Vienna – Parliament
Rules and Regulations for the Parliament Buildings (2006)
Rules and Regulations for Parliamentary Research Services in accordance with Fig. 53 of the Rules and Regulations for the Parliament Buildings, 2006
Valid as of 25 October 2006
Contents
I. General Provisions 11
1. Domiciliary Rights in the Historical Parliament Building
and Further Rooms 11
2. Administering Organs 11
3. Rights of Amendments and Interpretation 12
4. Exemptions from the Rules and Regulations for the
Parliament Buildings 12
5. Implementation of the Rules and Regulations for the
Parliament Buildings 12
II. Use of Rooms 12
6. Definition of Purpose of the Parliament Buildings 12
7. Allocation of Rooms (Chambers) 12
8. Detailed Provisions Regarding the Rooms Made
Available 13
9. Rooms and Facilities Reserved to the Federal Council 13
10. Allocation of Committee Rooms 13
11. Temporary Use of Rooms for Alternative Purposes 14 12. Domiciliary Rights in Rooms Made Available 14 13. Treatment and Return of Rooms Made Available 14
14. Letterboards and Announcements 15
15. Smoking in the Parliament Buildings 15
III. Traffic and Presence in the Parliament Buildings 15
16. Opening hours and Access Rules 15
17. Access Conditions 16
19. Permanent Access Cards 17
20. Day Access Cards 18
21. Obligation to Wear Access Cards and Scope of
Entitlement 18
22. Exemptions from Access Card Provisions 18
23. Liability for Permanent Access Cards and their Return 19
24. Limitations of General Traffic 19
25. Special Limitations of Access 19
IV. Special Provisions for Session Days 20
26. Flagging on Session Days 20
27. Access to the Parliamentary Buildings 20
28. Access for Audience (Entry Tickets) 20
29. Minimum Age Requirement for Plenary Session
Audience 21
30. Taking Along of Objects into the Parliament
Buildings 21
31. Order Provisions for Audience 22
32. Prohibition of Mobile Telephones 22
33. Reception of Visitors 22
34. Delegations 22
35. Seats and Rooms for Media Representatives 23
A. The National Council Chamber 23
36. National Council Chamber 23
37. Permission of Access to the National Council Chamber
per se 23
38. Exclusion of the General Public 24
39. Permission of Access to the Balcony 25
40. Permission of Access to the Corridor 25
B. The Federal Council Chamber 25
41. Maintenance of Peace and Public Order 25
C. The Federal Assembly Chamber 26
42. Applicable Provisions 26
D. Committee Rooms 26
43. Permission of Access 26
V. Parliamentary Parties (Groups) 27 44. Observance of the Rules and Regulations for the
Parliament Buildings 27
45. Access 27
46. Expenses for Use of Rooms 27
47. Parliamentary Party Employees and Employees of Par-
liamentary Delegates 27
VI. Wheelchair Users 28
48. Users of Wheelchairs and Persons with Severe Walking
Impairments 28
VII. Rooms of Government Members 29
49. Use 29
50. Access 29
51. Staff in Charge of Maintaining Public Order 29 52. Observance of the Rules and Regulations for the
Parliament Buildings 29
VIII. Parliamentary Research Services of the
Parliamentary Administration 30
53. Rules and Regulations for the Use of Parliamentary Research Services
IX. Public Visits 30
54. Guided Tours through the Historical Parliament Building
on Non-Plenary-Session Days 30
55. Visits to the Historical Parliament Building on Plenary
Session Days 30
55a. Guided Tours through Palais Epstein 31
56. Joint Rules and Regulations 31
X. Behaviour in the Parliament Buildings 31
57. Maintenance of Peace and Public Order 31
58. Carrying and Use of Audio or Visual Recording, Con-
veyance, Transfer or Reproduction Devices 32
XI. Authority of the Persons Entrusted with Security
Tasks by the Parliamentary Administration 33
59. Orders by the Staff in Charge of Maintaining Public Or-
der 33
60. Tasks of the Receptionist 33
61. Checks on Persons in the Parliament Building 34
XII. Other Regulations 34
62. Parking Spaces 34
63. Electrical Appliances and Windows 34
64. Prohibition of Weapons 34
65. Flagging as Federal Building 35
66. Handing out of Copies of the Rules and Regulations for
the Parliament Buildings 35
67. Announcement of Special Provisions 35
68. Entry into Force 35
Rules and Regulations for Parliamentary Research Services in Accordance with Fig. 53 of the Rules and Regulations for the
Parliament Buildings, 2006 Rules for the Use of the Library
B1. Scope of Tasks and Duties of the Library 39
B2. User Categories 39
B3. Loanable Stock 40
B4. Borrowing Library Stock 41
B5. Borrowing Periods 42
B6. Due Diligence, Return, Reminders, Substitute Speci-
mens 42
B7. Interlending (Inter-library Loans) 42
B8. Copies (Electrostatic Copies, Copies from Machine-
readable Data Stock) 42
Rules for the Use of Literature Documentation (LITDOC)1
L1. Scope of Tasks and Duties of LITDOC 43
L2. User Categories 43
L3. Copies 44
Rules for the Use of Parliamentary Documentation
D1. General Provisions 45
D2. Special Provisions 46
Rules for the Use of the Archives
A1. General Provisions 47
A2. Special Provisions 49
Rules and Regulations for the
Parliament Buildings (2006)
Rules and Regulations for the Parliament Buildings (2006)
I. General Provisions
1. Domiciliary Rights in the Historical Parliament Building and Further Rooms
The President (“Speaker”) of the National Council (in the follow- ing called President) shall exercise the domiciliary rights (Art. 30, section 6 Federal Constitutional Law, in cohesion with § 14, section 1 of the Federal Law on the Rules of Procedure of the National Council) in the Historical Parliament Building as well as in the fed- eral rooms reserved for parliamentary purposes and/or the rooms rented or provided for these purposes, including the pertaining premises (in the following named the Parliament Buildings). He or she shall in particular be responsible for the administration, espe- cially the maintenance of public order – unless special rules of pro- cedure apply during sessions of the Federal Assembly, the National Council and/or the Federal Council or their committees, inquiries or commissions of inquiry – as well as the preservation and protection of all movable and immovable property of historic or artistic value.
The orders of the President shall be issued within the framework of the private sector administration unless they are issued under legis- lative power and/or vis-à-vis employees of the Parliamentary Ad- ministration.
2. Administering Organs
The President (“Speaker”) shall exercise the domiciliary rights through the Parliamentary Administration (Art. 30, section 3, Federal Constitutional Law). Upon the President’s request, the Parliamentary Administration may be supported in its efforts of maintaining public order by organs of public security. Notwithstanding this fact, the President may also resort to the staff responsible for maintaining public order.
3. Rights of Amendments and Interpretation
Amendments to the Rules and Regulations for the Parliament Buildings shall be made by the President (“Speaker”) upon delibera- tion with the Presidents’ Conference. Upon request by a Member of the Presidents’ Conference, the forum of the Presidents’ Conference may also serve to discuss questions as to the interpretation of the handling of the Rules and Regulations for the Parliament Buildings.
4. Exemptions from the Rules and Regulations for the Parliament Buildings
If necessary, the President (“Speaker”) shall have the authority to give orders deviating from the Rules and Regulations for the Parlia- ment Buildings for a limited period of time, in particular if it seems indispensable for reasons of security, building measures or in order to ensure the undisturbed course of parliamentary action.
5. Implementation of the Rules and Regulations for the Parliament Buildings
In so far as special orders for implementing the Rules and Regu- lations for the Parliament Buildings are necessary, they shall be passed by the President (“Speaker”) and/or, upon his or her de- mand, by the Parliamentary Administration.
II. Use of Rooms
6. Definition of Purpose of the Parliament Buildings
The Parliament Buildings serve the federal legislative organs. For the fulfilment of their tasks, the President (“Speaker”) shall deter- mine the use and, if necessary, the modalities of use of all rooms (space) and facilities (e.g. post office, restaurants) in the Parliament Buildings.
7. Allocation of Rooms
The President (“Speaker”) shall determine the use and, if neces- sary, the modalities of use of all rooms and facilities; in particular, he or she shall designate those rooms and installations of the Parlia- ment buildings made available to the National Council, the Federal Council, both organs, the Federal Assembly, the Parliamentary Par-
ties, the Members of the National Council or the Federal Council without Parliamentary Party affiliation, the Federal Government as well as the Parliamentary Administration. In doing so, due consid- eration has to be given to the special needs of persons with disabili- ties, in particular with regard to their safe evacuation in case of fire.
8. Detailed Provisions Regarding the Rooms Made Available When rooms (space) and facilities (e.g. post office, restaurants) are made available, the President (“Speaker”) shall determine the period of use as well as define the equipment and technical facilities made available to the user. If technical equipment is also made available, detailed provisions may be made as to the modalities of their use. No legal claim whatsoever can be derived from the fact that the equipment has been made available. The President (“Speaker”) shall have the right to terminate the period of availability and/or make new orders. In any case, at the beginning of each legis- lative period of the National Council, the President shall either pro- long the period of validity of the previously made orders or, if neces- sary – in particular on account of changes in the power relationship of the Parliamentary Parties – make new orders.
9. Rooms and Facilities Reserved to the Federal Council In so far as rooms and installations are reserved exclusively to the Federal Council, any further orders pertaining to their use shall lie with the President (“Speaker”) of the Federal Council and/or, upon his or her request, the Parliamentary Administration.
10. Allocation of Committee Rooms
The individual allocation of rooms designated for committee meetings, sub-committee meetings, parliamentary inquiries and commissions of inquiry shall, in accordance with the Federal Law on the Rules of Procedure of the National Council and/or the Rules of Procedure of the Federal Council shall be made by the Parliamen- tary Administration. For other deliberations (in particular Parliamen- tary Party meetings), the above rooms can only be allocated if they are not reserved for the purposes described above.
11. Temporary Use of Rooms for Alternative Purposes The temporary use of rooms and/or facilities for events within the scope described under Fig. 6 shall be decided upon by the Presi- dent (“Speaker”). If, however, rooms are concerned that have been allocated to Members of the National Council, the Federal Council or the Parliamentary Parties, the President is to be informed of the in- tention to hold an event that goes beyond the range of an ordinary political meeting or beyond the opening hours determined by the President (Fig.). Such events must not impair the legislative organs in the fulfilment of their tasks.
12. Domiciliary Rights in Rooms Made Available
Even after decisions in accordance with Fig. 7, the President (“Speaker”) shall exercise the domiciliary rights with regard to the rooms made available, unless special rules of procedure apply dur- ing sessions of the Federal Assembly, the National Council, the Federal Council or their committees. The President shall have the right to prohibit access to rooms and facilities or order that they are left, if
a. the purpose as defined under Fig. 6 and/or the reporting obli- gation as defined under Fig. 11 was/were violated, or
b. it is necessary to maintain public order and security and/or the dignity of parliamentary bodies, or
c. the person entitled to use the rooms made available or tempo- rarily allocated to him or her so desires on justified grounds.
In rooms allocated to Parliamentary Parties, measures as described under sub-paragraph a. or b. are to be abstained from if an appro- priate mode of action can be agreed upon with the representatives of the relevant Parliamentary Party.
13. Treatment and Return of Rooms Made Available
The rooms and/or facilities/objects and technical equipment made available are to be treated with due care. Any damage is to be reported immediately to the Parliamentary Administration. Any major changes made with regard to the facilities/objects shall be subject to the consent of the Parliamentary Administration. Upon ending of the
period of availability, the rooms and/or facilities/objects and technical equipment are to be returned in good order and condition.
14. Letterboards and Announcements
Any kind of letterboards and announcements must only be posted in locations of general use as well as only in those locations reserved for such purpose, and are subject to the consent of the Parliamentary Administration. This is also due for external areas pertaining to the Parliament Buildings.
15. Smoking in the Parliament Buildings
Smoking in the Parliament Buildings is restricted to the rooms designated by the President (“Speaker”) and explicitly marked with signs. It is to be made sure that tobacco smoke does not reach the non-smoking areas, thus circumventing the purpose of the smoking ban. In rooms where smoking is allowed, smokers have to pay par- ticular attention to the danger of fire smoking entails.
III. Traffic and Presence in the Parliament Buildings
16. Opening Hours and Access Rules
a. During the hours determined by the President (“Speaker”), the Parliamentary Administration shall be responsible for the open- ing and closing of the doors; it shall further be responsible for monitoring who enters the Parliament Buildings as well as the maintenance of the provisions for public order. With regard to rented Parliament Buildings, alternating rules may be passed.
b. Permanent access cards as well as door keys shall only be given out by the Parliamentary Administration upon a written confirmation that the key(s) have been taken over; the handing out of permanent access cards with an authorisation for exter- nal doors and key(s) to the external doors of the Parliament Buildings shall, in addition, be subject to authorisation by the President. It is not allowed to pass on an external door key.
Making duplicate keys is exclusively reserved to the Parlia- mentary Administration. Any loss of permanent access cards
and/or key(s) is to be reported immediately to the Parliamen- tary Administration in writing.
c. The rooms allocated to the persons working in Parliament are to be locked by the respective users upon the end of their ac- tivities (end of working hours), unless a guard is present in the room. For the rooms made available to the Parliamentary Par- ties, the Parliamentary Party Chairperson may suspend the ob- ligation to lock the rooms. This has to be reported to the Par- liamentary Administration.
17. Access Conditions
a. Access to the Parliament Buildings shall principally be only al- lowed to persons who can prove their identity with an official photo identification document (ID) or lapel pin (Fig. 18) and/or a permanent access card (Fig. 19). An exception is made for Delegates to the National Council, Members of the Federal Council, Austrian Members of the European Parliament as well as other officially known persons, provided their identity is be- yond doubt. If the identity of the bearer of a lapel pin and/or a permanent access card is doubtful, he or she is requested to prove his or her identity with an official photo ID.
b. Access to the Visitors Centre and the general exhibition rooms on the ground floor of Palais Epstein is principally permitted without proof of identity.
c. For users of wheelchairs and persons with a severe walking impairment, Fig. 28, sub-paragraph c. and Fig. 48 shall apply in addition.
18. Identification Cards and Lapel Pins
For Delegates to the National Council and Members of the Fed- eral Council, official photo legitimisations (§ 1, sub-section 2 of the Federal Law on the Rules of Procedure of the National Council as well as § 1, sub-section 3 of the Rules of Procedure of the Federal Council), shall be issued; for employees of the Parliamentary Ad- ministration, the identification cards foreseen for federal employees
shall be issued. In addition, the delegates mentioned shall receive a lapel pin designed to be worn visibly inside the Parliament Buildings.
19. Permanent Access Cards
The persons referred to in Fig. 22, sub-paragraph a. to c., are en- titled to a permanent access card. In addition, in accordance with the regulations specified in detail by the Parliamentary Administra- tion, permanent access cards are to be issued for a certain period of time or for the period of time a certain function is to be performed, in particular to the following groups of persons:
a. Employees of the Parliamentary Administration and the Par- liamentary Parties and/or employees of parliamentary dele- gates;
b. Presidents of the Supreme Courts as well as employees of Federal Ministries permanently active in the Parliament Build- ings, including employees of the Austrian Ombudsman Board, the Austrian Court of Audit, and the Parliamentary Complaints Commission of the Federal Army;
c. Media representatives permanently active in the Parliament Buildings and/or employees of the Austrian Broadcasting Cor- poration;
d. Former parliamentary delegates who are members of the As- sociation of former Delegates and Officials as well as former Austrian Members of the European Parliament;
e. Other persons permanently active in the Parliament Buildings (e.g. representatives of the executive branch, the internal medical service, the postal service or of companies).
In how far identification cards of other institutions in combination with an official photo identification document are recognised in order to access the Parliament Buildings shall be determined by the Presi- dent (“Speaker”).
20. Day Access Cards
For persons who access the Parliament Buildings only from time to time, day access cards giving the bearer only temporary access to the Parliament Buildings are to be issued on the basis of deposi- tion of a valid official photo identification document. This also applies for visitors whose access is foreseen on the basis of the Federal Law on the Rules of Procedure of the National Council and/or the Rules of Procedure of the Federal Council (e.g. experts, witnesses in investigative committees, plenipotentiaries of petitions for a refer- endum and first signatories of citizen initiatives.)
21. Obligation to Wear Access Cards and Scope of Entitlement a. Any and all access cards are principally to be worn visibly in
the Historic Parliament Building. In other Parliament Buildings, they are to be shown to the staff in charge of maintaining pub- lic order upon request (cf. Section XI on the Authority of the Persons Entrusted with Security Tasks by the Parliamentary Administration).
b. The access cards are to visibly reflect whether they entitle the bearer to access the plenary rooms and/or committee rooms also during sessions.
22. Exemptions from Access Card Provisions
The following persons shall be exempt from the provisions under Fig. 21:
a. Delegates to the National Council and Members of the Federal Council as well as Austrian Members of the European Parlia- ment;
b. The Federal President, Members of the Federal Government, Undersecretaries (Assistant Secretaries) of State, the Presi- dent of the Austrian Court of Audit, Ombudspersons and Heads of Provincial Governments;
c. Former Federal Presidents, Presidents (“Speakers”) of the Na- tional Council and the Federal Council;
d. Diplomats, official visitors and other delegations, provided they are met and escorted by an employee of the Parliamentary Administration.
Further exemptions shall be valid upon special order by the Presi- dent (“Speaker”) with regard to access to the Parliament Restaurant in the House of Reichsratsstraße 9, guided tours (visits of the House), the Visitors Centre, the exhibition rooms on the ground floor of Palais Epstein, and for events.
23. Liability for Permanent Access Cards and their Return Permanent Access Cards issued shall remain the property of the Parliamentary Administration. Upon loss, the person to whom the card was issued shall be obliged to reimburse the Parliamentary Administration for the issuing costs. If the prerequisites for issuing a permanent access card are no longer met, the bearer shall be obliged to return the card. The permanent access card is to be with- drawn and/or its validity is to be revoked, if the President (“Speaker”) so orders on grounds of severe violations of the Rules and Regula- tions for the Parliament Buildings and/or the provisions made on the basis of these Rules and Regulations.
24. Limitations of General Traffic
As on session days in accordance with Section IV, in case of special events, the President (“Speaker”) shall have the right to or- der limitations of general traffic also on other days.
25. Special Limitations of Access
Access in particular to the magazines of the Archives and the Li- brary as well as the boiler houses, the electrical centre and tele- phone switchboard, EDP rooms, security centres, work- and ma- chine shops and attics as well as the other non-public parts of the ramp leading up to the main entrance shall be reserved exclusively to the authorised service personnel, unless special authorisation has been given by the respective responsible person.
IV. Special Provisions for Session Days
26. Flagging on Session Days
On days the Federal Assembly, the National Council or the Fed- eral Council is in session, the Flag of the Republic shall be flown on both flagpoles of the Historical Parliament Building.
27. Access to the Parliament Buildings
To guarantee an undisturbed course of events on session days of the Federal Assembly, the National Council or the Federal Coun- cil, persons seeking access to the Parliament Buildings for the pur- pose of visiting a delegate shall only be given access upon the con- sent of the respective delegate as well as on the basis of a speaking permit issued by the Parliamentary Administration. This speaking permit is to be handed over to the civil servant on duty as reception- ist upon leaving the Parliament Building (cf. Section XI).
28. Access for Audience (Entry Tickets)
a. Visitors of the sessions of the Federal Assembly, the National Council and the Federal Council shall be issued entry tickets for the Balcony or the Gallery of the Federal Assembly Cham- ber or the National Council Chamber. The Parliamentary Ad- ministration shall be responsible for issuing the entry tickets depending on the availability of seats. A certain number of en- try tickets for these visitors seats shall be distributed to the in- dividual Parliamentary Parties according to a key agreed upon between the Parliamentary Parties and the President (“Speaker”) of the National Council and/or the President (“Speaker”) of the Federal Council. Each Parliamentary Party has to pick up the allocated tickets at the Parliamentary Ad- ministration one hour ahead of a session at the latest. Entry tickets not picked up by that time may be given out by the Par- liamentary Administration.
b. If necessary, the Parliamentary Administration is obliged to re- serve seats on the Balcony and/or the Gallery of the Federal Assembly Chamber and/or the National Council Chamber as well as in the Federal Council Chamber in order to make sure that in particular invited visitors, members of delegations of parliamentarians, employees of Federal Ministries (Fig. 19,
sub-paragraph b) or media representatives and/or employees of the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (Fig. 19, sub- paragraph c.) are able to participate in a session even if all other seats have been given away.
c. Entering the Balcony or the Gallery shall be prohibited without exception to audience without entry tickets – even if they are escorted by participants in the session. For persons with dis- abilities, seats for wheelchair users and seats with hearing aids have to be installed. Persons with severe walking impairments (wheelchair users) are to use the seats reserved for them;
each of these persons needs to be escorted by a responsible person to facilitate a potential evacuation via the staircases in case of danger (elevators must not be used in the case of fire).
Access is subject to prior agreement with the Security Section and must not be granted until this Section is able to guarantee an immediate evacuation (e.g. through escorting by adequate evacuation aides.) If possible, persons concerned are required to give previous notice of their participation (cf. Fig. 48).
29. Minimum Age Requirement for Plenary Session Audience Children below 10 years of age are not allowed to access the Gallery and the Balcony in the Federal Assembly Chamber, the Na- tional Council Chamber and/or the Federal Council Chamber during sessions. Persons between 10 and 14 years of age must be accom- panied by an adult. In cases of justified exceptions, the Parliamen- tary Administration shall be authorised to give special permission.
30. Taking Along of Objects into the Parliament Buildings Visitors are required to deposit at the cloak-rooms their overcoats (coats, jackets, etc.) as well as any objects carried along that might constitute a danger or disturb the public order as well as the dignity of the parliamentary bodies, such as umbrellas, suitcases, (hand)bags, containers/receptacles, books, fliers, leaflets, cameras, recording devices, binoculars, computer games, mobile telephones, unless they have been granted permission in accordance with Fig. 58 to carry along the objects specified therein. Parliament shall not be liable for deposited objects unless the visitor deposits them in the lockers reserved for this purpose. Parliament shall only be liable
for objects deposited in this way if the damage is reported immedi- ately upon taking back the objects.
31. Order Provisions for Audience
Visitors of sessions of the National Council, the Federal Council and/or the Federal Assembly shall be obliged to avoid anything that might violate the dignity of the parliamentary bodies or disturb the peace, public order and negotiations; in particular, they shall abstain from any interference with the negotiations as well as any signs of assent or dissent. The President (“Speaker”) of the National Council and/or the President (“Speaker”) of the Federal Council shall have the right to remove persons who disturb the peace and public order from the audience seats or, in the worst case, have the seats cleared (§ 13, section 3 of the Federal Law on the Rules of Proce- dure of the National Council; § 7, section 2 of the Rules of Proce- dure of the Federal Council).
32. Prohibition of Mobile Telephones
During sessions, the use of mobile telephones shall be prohibited in the Chambers of the Federal Assembly, the National Council, the Federal Council or their committees, sub-committees, investigative committees as well as in inquiries and inquiry commissions.
33. Reception of Visitors
On session days, the Delegates to the National Council and Members of the Federal Council shall receive visitors either in the rooms designated for this purpose by the respective Parliamentary Parties, or in the consultation room, and/or, if previous notice has been given, in other rooms designated for this purpose by the Presi- dent (“Speaker”). Larger gatherings of visitors are to be avoided. In exceptional cases, in particular for reasons of security, visitors may be barred from access to the Parliament Buildings.
34. Delegations
On session days of the National Council, the Federal Council as well as their committees, only delegations with a maximum number of six persons shall be admitted. They have to be registered with the Parliamentary Administration by one person and shall receive a
permission to access the Parliament Buildings only if the person concerned is ready to welcome the delegation in the Parliament Buildings. With regard to these limitations, the Parliamentary Ad- ministration may – provided they do not concern the Historical Par- liament Building – make other regulations.
35. Seats and Rooms for Media Representatives
The President (“Speaker”) shall determine the rooms that media representatives and/or employees of the Austrian Broadcasting Cor- poration may access, bearing in mind the undisturbed course of par- liamentary action. To media representatives and/or employees of the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation, and in particular to holders of permanent access cards (in accordance with Fig. 19, sub- paragraph c.), seats have to be made available in the press boxes, as well as on the Gallery, if necessary.
A. The National Council Chamber 36. National Council Chamber
The National Council Chamber consists of the chamber per se, the Corridor, the Balcony, and the Gallery plus adjacent rooms.
37. Permission of Access to the National Council Chamber per se
On session days, the National Council Chamber per se may be accessed by the following persons, along with the elected delegates:
a. The persons entitled to do so in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the National Council, with the employees of Fed- eral Ministries, the Austrian Court of Audit and the Austrian Ombudsman Board having the obligation to permanently and visibly bear
– either the permanent access cards issued to them in accor- dance with Fig. 19, sub-paragraph b.
– or a day access card in accordance with Fig. 20, on the basis of an official order given in writing for this specific purpose by the competent Member of the Federal Government and/or Undersecretary of State, the President of the Austrian Court
of Audit, or the representatives of the Austrian Ombudsman Board;
However, only those employees shall be allowed to take the seats reserved for them in the Chamber whose presence is re- quired with regard to the respective topic of the negotiations;
b. Members of the Federal Council and Austrian members of the European Parliament, provided the President (“Speaker”) authorises their presence in the seats reserved for employees of Federal Ministries in the Chamber;
c. employees of (persons commissioned by) the Parliamentary Administration performing their official duties;
d. employees and members of the Parliamentary Parties on the basis of the authorisation given by the President;
e. employees of the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation and other media for the purpose of the technical realisation of visual and audio recordings, on the basis of the authorisation given by the President.
38. Exclusion of the General Public
a. If the general public is excluded (§ 47, section 2 of the Federal Law on the Rules of Procedure of the National Council), the acting President (“Speaker”) shall determine which persons – apart from the Delegates to the National Council, the Members of the Federal Government (Undersecretaries of State), the President (“Speaker”) of the Austrian Court of Audit and/or the representatives of the Austrian Ombudsman Board – are al- lowed to be present in the Chamber. All other persons shall have to leave the Chamber.
b. In case of a resolution of the National Council in accordance with § 18, section 2 and/or § 20, section 2 of the Federal Law on the Rules of Procedure of the National Council, action shall be taken correspondingly, unless the circle of persons whose calling in is prohibited has been exactly defined by the resolu- tion of the National Council.
39. Permission of Access to the Balcony Balcony boxes are to be provided for:
a. the Federal President in the middle of the Balcony,
b. Members of the Federal Council and Austrian Members of the European Parliament, and, in addition,
c. guests of the Presidents (“Speakers”) of the National Council and/or of Members of the Federal Government,
d. members of the diplomatic corps,
e. media representatives, in particular those who hold a perma- nent access card in accordance with Fig. 19, sub-paragraph c.,
f. other persons authorised by the President, and
g. visitors who have received an entry ticket for the Balcony.
40. Permission of Access to the Corridor
The Corridor surrounding the National Council Chamber must only be accessed by persons who have access to the Chamber at public sessions, as well as Members of the Federal Council; how- ever, the President (“Speaker”) may determine that media represen- tatives and/or employees of the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation, in particular holders of a permanent access card in accordance with Fig. 19, sub-paragraph c., and employees as defined under the leg- islation pertaining to parliamentary employees shall be given access to parts of the Corridor in order to facilitate their contact with the delegates during sessions of the National Council. Finally, those employees and staff members of the Parliamentary Parties who do not have access to the Chamber shall be permitted to access the Corridor.
B. Federal Council Chamber
41. Maintenance of Peace and Public Order
The President (“Speaker”) of the Federal Council shall be re- sponsible for the maintenance of peace and public order in the Fed-
eral Council Chamber (§ 7, section 2 and 5 of the Rules of Proce- dure of the Federal Council).
C. Federal Assembly Chamber 42. Applicable Provisions
With regard to the sessions of the Federal Assembly, the provi- sions of Fig. 26 through 40 shall apply correspondingly, unless other provisions are foreseen in applying the Federal Law on the Rules of Procedure of the National Council in the sense of Article 39, sec- tion 2 of the Federal Constitutional Law. With regard to other ses- sions in this Chamber, in particular joint sessions of the National Council and the Federal Council, these provisions are also to be ap- plied correspondingly.
D. Committee Rooms 43. Permission of Access
Entitlement to participate in sessions of the committees (sub- committees, investigative committees) of the National Council or the Federal Council is regulated in accordance with the relevant provi- sions of the Federal Law on the Rules of Procedure of the National Council and the Rules of Procedure of the Federal Council. In the committee room, only those employees of Federal Ministries, the Austrian Court of Audit or the Austrian Ombudsman Board shall be allowed to be present in the seats reserved for them whose pres- ence is required with regard to the respective topic of negotiations.
The employees of the Parliamentary Administration responsible for maintaining public order (cf. Section IX) are obliged to check their access entitlement on the basis of the official orders given in writing by the Members of the Federal Government and/or Undersecretar- ies of State, the President of the Austrian Court of Audit or the rep- resentatives of the Austrian Ombudsman Board, or on the basis of their written citation. These official orders/citations have to be handed to an employee of the Parliamentary Administration respon- sible for maintaining public order already upon entering the commit- tee room. This regulation shall also apply to inquiries and inquiry commissions.
V. Parliamentary Parties
44. Observance of the Rules and Regulations for the Parliament Buildings
The Parliamentary Party Chairperson shall see to it that the Rules and Regulations for the Parliament Buildings as well as of any and all provisions passed on their basis are observed in the rooms allocated to the Parliamentary Party.
45. Access
Access to the rooms is granted in accordance with the provisions under Section III as well as in accordance with the orders given by the Parliamentary Parties with regard to the rooms made available to them. The Parliamentary Party shall be obliged in this regard to give due consideration to the needs of persons with disabilities, in particular to their safe evacuation in case of fire.
46. Expenses for Use of Rooms
Rooms (according to Fig. 7) as well as furniture and technical equipment (according to Fig. 8) shall be provided within the frame- work of the relevant order of the President (“Speaker”). The ex- penses for the use of the rooms made available in accordance with Fig. 7, as well as the expenses for furnishing these rooms to the ex- tent determined by the President, shall be paid for out of the Federal Budget.
47. Parliamentary Party Employees/Staff and/or Employees of Parliamentary Delegates
The Parliamentary Administration shall be informed of the names of employees/staff of the Parliamentary Parties and/or of employees of parliamentary delegates immediately upon their taking office. Only thereafter shall each employee (staff) be issued a permanent access card (in accordance with Fig. 19, sub-paragraph a.) upon written ap- plication by the respective Parliamentary Party, and/or each em- ployee as defined under the legislation pertaining to parliamentary employees upon written application by his or her delegate.
VI. Wheelchair Users
48. Wheelchair Users and Persons with a Severe Walking Impairment
a) Wheelchair users and persons with a severe walking impair- ment are permitted to access all parts of the Parliament Build- ings constructed to allow self-evacuation in case of fire. In agreement with the Presidents’ Conference, the President (“Speaker”) shall, in a guideline, specify those parts of the Par- liament Buildings constructed to allow self-evacuation in case of fire. The limits of these areas (in particular around elevators) have to be clearly marked.
b) With regard to delegates with disabilities, Government Mem- bers and all other persons entitled to participate in parliamen- tary negotiations as well as employees called in by the above persons in accordance with the Rules of Procedure (National Council, Federal Council, Permanent Joint Committee accord- ing to § 9 of the Financial Constitutional Law of 1948), the Se- curity Section shall guarantee access at any time, in accor- dance with sub-paragraph c., to the rooms required for their parliamentary work.
c) Access to other parts of these buildings than those designated according to sub-paragraph a. is to be given to wheelchair us- ers and persons with severe walking impairments in agree- ment with the Security Section in so far as from there, immedi- ate evacuation can be guaranteed (e.g. through escorting the respective persons by adequate evacuation aides). If possible, previous notice should be given. Furthermore, Fig. 28, sub- paragraph c. and Fig. 45 are to be observed.
d) Wheelchair users and persons with severe walking impair- ments without permanent access cards shall be allowed to ac- cess those parts of the Parliament Building not constructed to allow self-evacuation in case of fire if a person well-acquainted with the premises, who meets them in a Parliament Building and/or makes a guided tour or visit of the House
– picks them up at the front gate and
– accompanies them at any time (for the purpose of supporting them in case of an evacuation to be called for by the Security
Section via the staircases, as elevators must not be used in case of fire).
Upon alarm to vacate the premises, the responsible person is obliged to inform the central security office immediately by tele- phone.
VII. Rooms of Government Members
49. Use
The use of the rooms made available to Members of the Federal Government and/or Undersecretaries of State in accordance with Fig. 7 shall be reserved to them (and/or their staff/co-workers) within the framework of the Rules and Regulations for the Parliament Buildings. As a rule, the Federal Chancellor shall decide upon the use of these rooms individually.
50. Access
The access of persons who wish to visit a Member of the Federal Government (Undersecretary of State) in these rooms depends upon the consent of the Government Member (Undersecretary of State) concerned.
51. Staff in Charge of Maintaining Public Order
On session days of the Federal Assembly, the National Council or the Federal Council, the staff responsible for maintaining public order in the rooms of government members shall be provided by the Parliamentary Administration (cf. Section XI). If one or several of these rooms are to be used on a non-session day, the Parliamentary Administration is to be informed thereof in time. Depending on the personnel available, the staff maintaining public order will be pro- vided by the Parliamentary Administration also on those days.
52. Observance of the Rules and Regulations for the Parliament Buildings
The Members of the Federal Government and/or Undersecretar- ies of State shall, with regard to the rooms allocated to them, be re- sponsible to the President (“Speaker”) for the compliance with the
Rules and Regulations for the Parliament Buildings, including any and all orders issued on their basis.
VIII. Parliamentary Research Services of the Parliamentary Administration
53. Rules and Regulations for the Use of Parliamentary Research Services
The research services offered by the Parliamentary Administra- tion for the needs of the legislative organs (Library, Literature Documentation2, Parliamentary Documentation, Archives) shall also be available to the Austrian Members of the European Parliament.
The principles according to which these research services are to be rendered, the modalities of their use, as well as to what extent they are made available to other persons or bodies, in particular for sci- entific purposes, are defined by the President (“Speaker”) in rules for the use of research services. These rules shall be open for inspec- tion by the users. Every user shall be individually liable for observing copyright provisions.
IX. Public Visits
54. Guided Tours through the Historical Parliament Building on Non-Plenary-Session Days
As far as parliamentary proceedings and security considerations allow, the Parliamentary Administration organises guided tours through the premises of the Historical Parliament Building with the purpose of fostering the understanding of parliamentarism and the parliamentary institutions.
55. Visits of the Historical Parliament Building on Plenary Session Days
On session days, only the Delegates to the National Council as well as the Members of the Federal Council shall be authorised, de- pending on available tour days, to personally make tours in the form of a brief visit of the House through the Lower and Upper Vestibule, the Atrium, the Columned Hall (Peristyl), and the Federal Assembly
2 Since March 2007 named “Media Documentation“
Chamber, provided the tour has been registered with the Parliamen- tary Administration and a list of participants has been submitted.
55a. Guided Tours through Palais Epstein
Guided tours through Palais Epstein are subject to separate regulations by the President (“Speaker”). The rooms foreseen for events made available by the President or the Parliamentary Ad- ministration must, in any case, only be visited during the hours no events are being held (including preparation and wrap-up activities).
56. Joint Rules and Regulations
a. Guided Tours (visits of the House) are to be registered with the Parliamentary Administration in time. Guided tours are princi- pally only allowed on the established tour dates.
b. All visitors are requested to undergo a security check ahead of the guided tour (visit of the House) and observe the smoking ban during the tour/visit. In the Chambers, they are not allowed to sit on the Presidium, the Government bench or in the dele- gates’ seats.
c. The National Council Delegates and Members of the Federal Council making guided tours (visits of the House) and/or the persons commissioned by them to do so shall see to it that the Rules and Regulations for the Parliament Buildings as well as the orders passed thereunder are observed.
X. Behaviour in the Parliament Buildings
57. Maintenance of Peace and Public Order
a. In the Parliament Buildings, peace and public order are to be maintained and the dignity of the parliamentary bodies is to be preserved. In particular, any activities that might disturb the work in the Parliament Buildings are to be avoided.
b. Visitors shall use only those corridors, staircases, and other parts of the Parliament Buildings designated for public use;
adequate measures have to be taken – in particular by per-
sure that external visitors take the shortest routes and leave the Parliament Buildings immediately after their visit.
c. With the exception of escort dogs for persons with disabilities, it is prohibited to take along animals into the Parliament Build- ings.
58. Carrying and Use of Audio or Visual Recording, Convey- ance, Transfer or Reproduction Devices
a. The use of devices for audio or visual recording, conveyance, transfer or reproduction (cameras, tape recorders, etc.)
– in the rooms of the Parliament Buildings reserved exclusively for the Federal Council, as well as in the rooms made avail- able for the exclusive use of the
– Parliamentary Parties, – the Federal Government or – individual persons
shall be subject to the consent of the person(s) entitled to make decisions as to the use of the respective room; the carry- ing and use of such devices in the other rooms of the Parlia- ment Building shall be subject to authorisation by the President (“Speaker”). The President may in this context pass guidelines and/or, in specific cases, leave the granting of authorisation to the Parliamentary Administration.
b. Recordings with devices described above in the National Council Chamber and/or the Federal Assembly Chamber shall be subject to authorisation by the President; recordings during sessions of committees (sub-committees) shall be authorised by the respective chairperson, taking into account the provi- sions of the Federal Law on the Rules of Procedure of the Na- tional Council.
c. Recordings in the rooms reserved specifically to the Federal Council and/or recordings of sessions foreseen in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the Federal Council shall be authorised by the President of the Federal Council; if they re- quire technical equipment of the House, authorisation shall be given by the President of the National Council.
d. The President shall furthermore be able to authorise connec- tions to the loudspeaker system to transmit negotiations from the Parliament Buildings. This authorisation has to expressly state whether it also entails the right of recording such negotia- tions.
e. The President shall have the right to exclude television teams or private persons from the authorisation to make TV re- cordings in the National Council Chamber and/or the Chamber of the Federal Assembly if there is uncertainty as to whether the recording will be rendered in a fair and pertinent manner.
XI. Authority of the Persons Entrusted with Security Tasks by the Parliamentary Administration
59. Orders by the Staff in Charge of Maintaining Public Order Every person shall be obliged to conform immediately to the or- ders given by the persons entrusted with security tasks by the Par- liamentary Administration (the staff in charge of maintaining public order.) Persons who violate provisions of the Rules and Regulations for the Parliament Buildings or provisions passed on the basis of these Rules and Regulations, are to be expelled from Parliament if necessary; in case of severe violations, the President shall have the authority to order the person to stay away from the Parliament Build- ings and/or report the person to the police.
60. Tasks of the Receptionist
The persons designated as receptionists shall be authorised to inquire persons as to the purpose of their visit as well as to check whether the information given is correct. Visitors are obliged to prove their identity with an official photo identification document and to deposit this document with the Parliamentary Administration (re- ceptionist in the entrance area) for the duration of their visit (Fig. 20).
For security reasons, a check of persons and luggage/belongings with technical equipment (e.g. metal detectors) may be carried out, observing human dignity. If visitors carry objects that might disturb parliamentary activities, the persons designated as receptionists shall be obliged to bar these persons from entry and/or to clarify the
61. Checks on Persons in the Parliament Building
Visitors who have already accessed the Parliament Buildings may also be asked by the persons entrusted with security tasks by the Parliamentary Administration at any time to give information as to the purpose of their presence and their identity; the information given may be checked as to correctness and security checks in ac- cordance with Fig. 60 may be carried out.
XII. Other Provisions
62. Parking Spaces
The use of parking spaces designated for parliamentary pur- poses is subject to a respective authorisation issued by the Parlia- mentary Administration. Parking in the courtyards of the Parliament Buildings is prohibited to give unlimited access to the fire brigade, unless exceptional permission is extended in individual cases. Stop- ping a car for the time of loading/unloading is permitted provided the driver stays at the car during this period of time.
63. Electrical Appliances and Windows
Electrical appliances (e.g. radiant heaters, coffee machines, copiers, lighting, PCs, monitors, printers, etc.) have to be turned off by their users upon the end of their activities (end of working hours) unless explicitly ordered otherwise by the Parliamentary Administra- tion. These persons are also obliged to close all windows and, on the ground floor, also the shutters and/or metal roller blinds of the rooms made available to them upon the end of their working hours.
64. Prohibition of Weapons
It is prohibited to introduce side arms and firearms and/or objects or parts of objects that might be mistaken for the above into the Par- liament Buildings, except for official reasons by representatives of the executive authorities; it is also prohibited to introduce explosive substances and/or fluids. Visitors are further prohibited to carry knives or other dangerous objects. Persons entitled to carry hand guns (holders of a licence to carry firearms) have to be given the possibility to deposit their weapon for the period of time of their presence in the Parliament buildings.
65. Flagging as Federal Building
a. The Parliament Building shall be flagged as a federal building on the gable flag pole of the central portion of the Historical Parliament Building.
b. The flag of the Federal Province sending the President (“Speaker”) of the Federal Council shall be hoisted on the front side gable on the side of the Parliament Building facing Rathausplatz.
c. The flag of the European Union shall be hoisted on the front side gable facing Schmerlingplatz.
66. Handing out of Copies of the Rules and Regulations for the Parliament Buildings
The Delegates to the National Council, the Members of the Fed- eral Council, the Members of the Federal Government and the Un- dersecretaries of State as well as the President of the Austrian Court of Audit, the members of the Austrian Ombudsman Board and all persons for whom permanent access cards are to be issued in ac- cordance with Fig. 19 have to be handed one copy each of the Rules and Regulations for the Parliament Buildings.
67. Announcement of Special Provisions
The President (“Speaker”) shall determine which provisions of the Rules and Regulations for the Parliament Buildings and/or or- ders passed on the basis thereof shall be additionally announced by putting up a notice in the rooms of the Parliament Buildings – e.g. at the access to the seats reserved for the audience of sessions. For the rooms exclusively reserved for permanent use by the Federal Council, the President of the Federal Council shall make these deci- sions.
68. Entry into Force
The Rules and Regulations for the Parliament Buildings shall take effect as of 25 October 2006.
Rules and Regulations for
Parliamentary Research Services
in accordance with Fig. 53 of the Rules and
Regulations for the Parliament Buildings, 2006
Rules for the Use of Parliamentary Research Services
in accordance with Fig. 53 of the Rules and Regulations of the Parliament Buildings, 2006
Rules for the Use of the Library
B1. Scope of Tasks and Duties of the Library
The tasks and duties incumbent upon the library comprise the acquisition, formal registration, making available of the contents and ensuring the accessibility of the printed works, audio-visual media and other data carriers necessary for the fulfilment of the tasks of the organs of federal legislation. The Parliamentary Administration sees to the proper storage and protection of the library stocks. In or- der to make available works not contained in the stocks of the li- brary, inter-library loaning with other libraries is to be maintained. In its capacity as technical library for parliamentary publications, it is also incumbent upon the library to exchange materials of the Aus- trian Parliament with foreign libraries in order to keep these stocks up to date. The library is also entitled to use duplicate copies in or- der to ensure the most economical use possible of the available fi- nancial resources. Along with answering requests, the library is to offer information services appearing periodically as well as ad hoc to the parliamentary bodies and the parliamentary administration.
Other tasks, such as copying and duplicating/reprographic activities, microfilming, etc., are to be carried out by the library in accordance with the guidelines (Fig. 215-NR/79) established uniformly by the Parliamentary Administration for this purpose, bearing in mind that the available resources are to be used as economically as possible;
services for non-parliamentary users shall in general be rendered against reimbursement of costs.
B2. User Categories
B2.1 The following categories of persons are primarily entitled to
– Delegates to the National Council and Members of the Fed- eral Council
– Austrian Members of the European Parliament – Employees of the Parliamentary Administration – Employees of the Parliamentary Parties
– Parliamentary employees according to the 1992 legislation pertaining to parliamentary employees.
B2.2 Beyond these categories of users, all persons interested in the parliamentary work of the National Council and the Federal Council shall be entitled to use the library, provided an appointment has been made with the library, the reservation being that the li- brary’s services may only be used in so far as the primary groups of users are not impaired in their activities.
B2.3 Every user shall commit him- or herself to leaving the library a free specimen copy of any scientific work written on the basis of the use of library stocks.
B3. Loanable Stock
B3.1 The library is principally a reference library. Borrowing stock is, however, possible for the user categories as defined under B2.1, with the reservation that parliamentary employees need to be authorised by proxy by delegates to Parliament to borrow stocks on their behalf. This written authorisation remains with the library and shall be valid as long as it is not provably withdrawn.
The giver of the proxy, not the authorised parliamentary em- ployee, shall be liable to the library. Other employees/co-workers of the delegates are not entitled to borrow library stock.
B3.2 Library stock may only be taken out if previously adminis- trated in accordance with library procedures. The library manage- ment determines what stocks shall not be loanable, shall be loan- able for a limited period of time, or loanable without restrictions.
B3.3 The civil servant in charge of the reading room shall be enti- tled to request the borrower to show his or her ID to prove that he or
she pertains to the category of persons entitled to take out library stock.
B4. Borrowing Library Stock
B4.1 The taking over of a borrowed work has to be confirmed by the borrower or a representative entitled to do so with a signature on the borrowing voucher. By taking out books, any and all users give their permission that their personal data may be electronically proc- essed.
B4.2 The loaning of borrowed books to third persons – even within the category of persons entitled to use the library – is not permitted.
B4.3 The borrower shall be liable for the borrowed work for as long as the debit is stored in the library’s electronic data processing system or for the period of time a borrowing voucher completed in hand-writing and signed by the borrower remains with the library.
B5. Borrowing Periods
B5.1 The standard borrowing period is four weeks. The borrow- ing period may be extended twice up to a maximum overall period of 12 weeks, provided no reservation has been made for another bor- rower.
B5.2 For special reasons, such as in case of a library review, or a fundamental re-organisation of parts of the library stock, the library management shall be entitled to call back stock before the expiry of the borrowing period.
B5.3 Delegates to the National Council, Members of the Federal Council and Austrian Members of the European Parliament leaving the law-making bodies, as well as departing parliamentary employ- ees and employees of the Parliamentary Parties are requested to immediately return to the library all works borrowed.
B6. Due Diligence, Return, Reminders, Substitute Specimens B6.1 Borrowed stock must not be damaged or marred by mark- ing, underlining or highlighting, taking out of leaves/pages or in any other way.
B6.2 Reminders will be made in writing. The last reminder will be expressly marked as last reminder. It results in a withdrawal of the permission to borrow library stock and a call to return the library stock taken out.
B6.3 The borrower shall be obliged to replace any lost stock at his or her own expense. If he or she is unable to do so, the library will acquire a substitute specimen at the borrower’s expense.
B6.4 Notwithstanding the provisions defined under B6.3, the li- brary shall acquire substitute specimens at the expense of the re- spective Parliamentary Party (Group) if stock had been borrowed by Parliamentary Party members who in the meantime left the Parlia- mentary Party, and all reminders have been futile.
B7. Interlending (Inter-Library Loans)
Stocks the Parliamentary Library borrows from other libraries must not be used outside the rooms of the library.
B8. Copies
(Electrostatic Copies, Copies from Machine-readable Data Stock) B8.1 The users are responsible for making copies themselves and shall be liable regarding the observance of all copyright provi- sions.
B8.2 For reasons of conservation, stocks may be precluded from copying.
B8.3 Users in accordance with B2.2 shall reimburse the library for copying costs to the extent announced on the notice board.
Rules for the Use of the Literature Documentation
3L1. Scope of Tasks and Duties of Literature Documentation (LITDOC)
The task of LITDOC is to collect, make available the contents of, store and be able to recover documents of non-freestanding litera- ture in the sense of fact-related basic information as well as to make available information from other sources on short notice (biblio- graphic data bases, full text and fact data bases). Along with an- swering inquiries, LITDOC has the task of offering to the parliamen- tary bodies and the Parliamentary Administration information ser- vices appearing periodically as well as ad hoc. Other tasks, such as copying and duplicating/reprographic activities, microfilming, etc., shall be carried out in accordance with the guidelines (Fig. 215- NR/79) established uniformly by the Parliamentary Administration for this purpose, bearing in mind that the available resources are to be used as economically as possible.
L2. User Categories LITDOC is available to:
– primarily the Members of the National Council and the Federal Council as well as the Austrian Members of the European Par- liament, the employees of the Parliamentary Administration and the Parliamentary Parties, parliamentary employees as defined in the legislation pertaining to parliamentary employ- ees
– as well as, in addition, principally any and all persons inter- ested in the parliamentary work of the National Council and the Federal Council.
With regard to the second group of users, there shall be a limitation in that services of LITDOC may only be made use of upon consent of and appointment with LITDOC, and only in so far as the other, primary, groups of users are not impaired.
L3. Copies
Copies for external users are made against reimbursement;
copying costs are announced on the notice board in the rooms of Literature Documentation. In accordance with the Rules and Regula- tions for the Parliament Buildings, Fig. 53, users shall be personally liable for observing copyright provisions with regard to copies and/or data base print-outs obtained from Literature Documentation.
Rules for the Use of the Parliamentary Documentation
D1. General Provisions
D1.1 Scope of Tasks and Duties of the Parliamentary Documentation
The Parliamentary Documentation shall be responsible for the documentation of the stenographic protocols and their attachments as well as the drafting of an index for the stenographic protocols of the National Council and Federal Council; the keeping up-to-date of draft bills as well as of opinions delivered at the evaluation proce- dure; and the running and administration of a data base on Parlia- mentarians as well as compiling of statistics on the subjects of par- liamentary negotiations.
D1.2 User Categories
The Parliamentary Documentation shall be available to the Members of the National Council and the Federal Council as well as the Austrian Members of the European Parliament, the employees of the Parliamentary Administration and the Parliamentary Parties, parliamentary employees as defined in the legislation pertaining to parliamentary employees, as well as, in addition, principally any and all persons interested in the work of the National Council and the Federal Council.
D1.3 Nature and Extent of the Information Made Available
Users shall be provided with information on the subjects of nego- tiations and the negotiations of the National Council and the Federal Council. For the period of time of those legislative periods of the Na- tional Council for which printed indices on the stenographic proto- cols already exist, information is given only in so far as the printed indices cannot be accessed by the users or the desired information is not contained in the printed indices. The Parliamentary Documen- tation is structured as an index. Parliamentary materials as such are only provided in case surplus copies exist, or by the dispatch de-
