At third reading the legislation as a whole is examined. Speaking time is limited at first reading but there are no limits to the length of speeches made during the second and third reading. Parliamentary resolutions are given two readings, between which they are referred to the relevant committee. The length of speeches made at first reading is limited but unlimited during the second reading. Unscheduled debates are subject to the consent of the President of the Althingi and are permitted if the matter in question is considered important and in urgent need of discussion.
Members can thus open debate on an issue with little prior notice.
There are two types of unscheduled discussions, short and long. The short type of unscheduled discussion lasts for half an hour. In the longer discussions the rule is that the Member introducing a matter and the minister concerned may speak for a maximum of 30 minutes each, other Members for a maximum of 15 minutes and everyone may speak twice. Remarks are not to be addressed to individual Members, but to the Althingi as a whole.