Page:Constitution of Iceland (1999).pdf/8

  Each new Member of Althingi shall take a pledge to uphold the Constitution when his election has been approved.

 Members of Althingi are bound solely by their conviction and not by any instructions from their constituents.

 No Member of Althingi may be subjected to custody on remand during a session of Althingi without the consent of Althingi, nor may a criminal action be brought against him unless he is caught in the act of committing a crime.

No Member of Althingi may be held accountable outside Althingi for statements made by him in Althingi, except with the consent of Althingi.

 If a Member of Althingi loses eligibility for election to Althingi, he forfeits those rights that the election brought him.

 Ministers are entitled to a seat in Althingi and, by virtue of their office, have the right to participate in its debates as often as they may desire, but they must observe the rules of procedure. They have the right to vote only if they are at the same time Members of Althingi.

 Althingi elects a President, who presides over its proceedings.

 Althingi may not take a decision unless a quorum of more than half of its Members are present at the meeting and take part in the voting.

 Each Member of Althingi may request, subject to the permission of Althingi, information from a Minister or an answer regarding a public matter, by tabling a question or requesting a report.

 Althingi may not admit for consideration any matter unless introduced by one of its Members or a Minister.

 Should Althingi not find cause to take a decision on a given matter it can refer it to a Minister.