Initially, Members of the European Parliament were only able to give an opinion on legislative proposals from the European Commission; ultimately, it was always the Council of Ministers, representing the Member State governments, who had the last word on adopted laws.
I dtús ama, is é a bhféadfadh na Feisirí de Pharlaimint na hEorpa a dhéanamh ach a dtuairim a thabhairt ar thograí reachtacha ón gCoimisiún Eorpach; ar deireadh thiar, ba ag Comhairle na nAirí, ag feidhmiú thar ceann rialtais na mBallstát, i gcónaí a bhíodh an focal deiridh ar na dlíthe a glacadh.