Section 35: Rules of debate

35. Rules of debate (1) A Member desiring to speak shall rise in his place and, if called upon, shall address his observations to the Chair. (2) When the Member has finished his observations, he shall resume his seat and any other Member wishing to address the Assembly or Committee may rise. (3) If two or more Members rise at the same time, the Chairperson shall call the Member who first catches his eye. (4) The mover of any motion or amendment may speak in support thereof, but no further debate shall be allowed, nor shall any question thereon be put to the Assembly until the motion or amendment is seconded. (5) Except in Committee— (a) no Member shall, without special leave from the Chair, speak more than once on any question; (b) any Member may second a motion or amendment by rising in his place and bowing to the Chair, without prejudice to his right to speak at a later period of the debate. (6) A Member who has spoken on a main question may speak again when a new question has been proposed from the Chair, such as a proposed amendment. (7) A Member who has spoken on a question may again be heard to offer explanation of some material part of his speech which has been misunderstood, but he shall not introduce new matter. (8) No Member may speak on any question after it has been put from the Chair. (9) The discretion of the Chairperson or the person presiding in calling Members to address the Assembly shall not be challenged. (10) No Member shall interrupt any other Member except— (a) on a point of order; (b) to elucidate some matter raised by the Member speaking in the course of his speech, provided that the Member speaking is willing to give way and resume his seat, and that the Member wishing to interrupt is called by the Chairperson. R30 – 43 [Issue 2] Rodrigues Regional Assembly Act (11) Whenever the person presiding rises during a debate, any Member then speaking shall sit down and the Assembly or Committee shall allow the person presiding to be heard without interruption.