The procedures according to which the items on the agenda are dealt with are listed in the regulation of the National Council
When a member of the National Council wishes to take the floor, he must transmit a written request to the president when the issue he wishes to speak about is being discussed. As a rule, the floor is given to speakers according to the order in which these written requests are received, however, priority is granted to parliamentary party representatives and authors of proposals. The floor is given to the "rapporteurs" and representatives of the Federal Council whenever they request it.
In the National Council the issues are divided into six categories. Speaking time is limited but written procedures may be used.
When a council member has finished making their statement, other members may ask a concise and specific question without having to state the grounds. Those wishing to do so lodge the question with the president. The question may only be asked after the president has sought consent from the speaker.
In the National Council all debates are translated in full. All members have a headset which enables them to listen to a simultaneous translation into Italian, French or German. There is no simultaneous translation in the Council of States.