14 | II Série C - Número: 015 | 27 de Novembro de 2006

written opinions in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, and, in accordance with the provisions of this Law, shall monitor and assess Portugal’s participation in the construction of the European Union.
2 — For the purposes of the performance of these functions there shall be a regular consultation process between the Assembly of the Republic and the Government.

Article 2 Pronouncement on matters within the sphere of the Assembly of the Republic’s reserved legislative responsibility

1 – When matters that fall within the sphere of the Assembly of the Republic’s reserved legislative responsibility are pending decision at European Union bodies, the Assembly shall pronounce itself thereon in accordance with the following paragraphs.
2 – Whenever the situation referred to in the previous paragraph occurs, the Government shall inform the Assembly of the Republic and ask it to issue a formal written opinion, wherefore the Government shall in good time provide the Assembly with information containing a summary of the draft or proposal, an analysis of its implications and, if one has already been set out, the position which the Government wishes to adopt.
3 – The European Affairs Committee shall draw up the formal written opinion in consultation with the specialist parliamentary committees with responsibility for the matter in question.
4 – Once it has been approved by the Committee, the formal written opinion shall be submitted to the Plenary for debate and voting, except in cases in which there are grounds for urgency, when the Committee’s decision shall suffice.
5 – In any subsequent phase of the decision-making process at the European Union bodies, the Assembly may, at its own initiative or that of the Government, draw up new formal written opinions and put them to the vote.

Article 3 Formal written opinion on compliance with the principle of subsidiarity

1 – By resolution the Assembly of the Republic may send the Presidents of the European Parliament, the Council, the European Commission and, where applicable, the Council of Regions and the Economic and Social Council, a duly substantiated formal written opinion on the reasons why a draft legislative or regulatory text that has been brought to its attention under the terms of Article 5 below, or any subsequent draft alteration thereto, fails to comply with the principle of subsidiarity.
2 — In cases in which there are grounds for urgency, a formal written opinion issued by the European Affairs Committee shall suffice.
3 — When the formal written opinion refers to a matter that falls within the responsibility of the Legislative Assemblies of the autonomous regions, the said assemblies shall be consulted in good time.

Article 4 Means of monitoring and assessment

1 – The Assembly of the Republic shall monitor and assess Portugal’s participation in the process of constructing the European Union, particularly by means of:

a) A plenary debate in which the Government shall take part, following the conclusion of the last European Council of each Presidency of the European Union; the debate in the first half of the year may also include assessment of the European Commission’s annual political strategy, and that in the second half of the year assessment of its legislative and working programme; b) An annual plenary debate in which the Government shall take part, for the purpose of discussing and passing the annual report sent by the Government in accordance with Article 5(3); c) Meetings between the European Affairs Committee and the Government in the weeks before and after the dates of European Council meetings, except when a plenary debate is scheduled in accordance with subparagraph a) above; d) Joint meetings between the European Affairs Committee, the specialist parliamentary committee with responsibility for the matter in question and the member of the Government with responsibility therefore, in the week before or after the dates of European Council meetings in their different formats.

2 – At its own initiative or that of the Government, in fulfilment of its responsibilities and in accordance with the Rules of Procedure, the Assembly of the Republic shall assess draft legislation and guidelines on European Union policies and actions.
3 – The Assembly of the Republic shall assess the financial programming of the construction of the European Union, particularly as regards structural funds and the Cohesion Fund, as laid down by the