The temporary Committee of Inquiry shall cease to exist on the submission of its report.

The detailed provisions governing the exercise of the right of inquiry shall be determined by  common accord of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission.

Article 20c ( * )

( * ) As inserted by Article H( 6 ) TEU.

Any citizen of the Union, and any natural or legal person residing or having its registered  office in a Member State, shall have the right to address, individually or in association with  other citizens or persons, a petition to the European Parliament on a matter which comes  within the Community's fields of activity and which affects him, her or it directly.

Article 20d ( * )

( * ) As inserted by Article H( 6 ) TEU.

1. The European Parliament shall appoint an Ombudsman empowered to receive complaints  from any citizen of the Union or any natural or legal person residing or having its registered  office in a Member State concerning instances of mal administration in the activities of the  Community institutions or bodies, with the exception of the Court of Justice and the Court of  First Instance acting in their judicial role.

In accordance with his duties, the Ombudsman shall conduct inquiries for which he finds  grounds, either on his own initiative or on the basis of complaints submitted to him direct or  through a Member of the European Parliament, except where the alleged facts are or have  been the subject of legal proceedings. Where the Ombudsman establishes an instance of  Mal administration, he shall refer the matter to the institution concerned, which shall have a  period of three months in which to inform him of its views. The Ombudsman shall then  forward a report to the European Parliament and the institution concerned. The person lodging  the complaint shall be informed of the outcome of such inquiries.

The Ombudsman shall submit an annual report to the European Parliament on the outcome of  his inquiries.

2. The Ombudsman shall be appointed after each election of the European Parliament for the  duration of its term of office.

The Ombudsman shall be eligible for reappointment.

The Ombudsman may be dismissed by the Court of Justice at the request of the European  Parliament if he no longer fulfils the conditions required for the performance of his duties or  if he is guilty of serious misconduct.

3. The Ombudsman shall be completely independent in the performance of his duties. In the  performance of those duties he shall neither seek nor take instructions from any body. The  Ombudsman may not, during his term of office, engage in any other occupation, whether  gainful or not.

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