Ministry of State for FNC Affairs begins coordinating between FNC and the Cabinet

Held between the Federal National Council (FNC) and the Cabinet on legislative and oversight matters relevant to both branches of government, said H.E. Dr. Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs.

Dr. Gargash stated that he is pleased with the debates the council is witnessing during sessions, pointing out that the results of these debates would undoubtedly benefit the political process in the UAE.

"The coordination mechanism that is currently being implemented to direct the relationship between the FNC and the Cabinet has been studied by all the relevant parties. The objective is to attain best practice and clear procedures in our work. Approved by the Cabinet, this mechanism takes into consideration the organizational and legal frameworks that govern the work of all authorities in the UAE, and that comply with the constitutional practices adopted by the country" said Dr. Gargash.

The activities covered in the scope of this organizational process include: the referral of draft federal laws to the Council and procedures for issuance, procedures for presenting international treaties and agreements to the FNC, the process for raising general points of discussion to the council on topics related to federal affairs, required procedures for addressing questions to a cabinet minister and requesting his/her attendance at FNC meetings, as well as the clarification of the role of minister of state for FNC Affairs.

Dr. Gargash added that the Ministry of State for FNC Affairs has received two inquiries from FNC members directed to the Cabinet which were answered in the second session of the meetings. The first inquiry was directed to H.E. Shaikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Public Works, on H.H. Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan's initiative to establish a specialized hospital in Ras Al Khaimah. The second inquiry was addressed to H.E. Mariam Mohammed Al Roumi, Minister of Social Affairs, on the new Marriage Fund's decision to set a ceiling on payment levels entitled for marriage grants.

In addition, four other general topics were presented to the Cabinet which will be discussed by the FNC. These included the policies of the General Pension Authority, the policies of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the policies of the Ministry of Education, as well as the policies of the Ministry of Environment regarding pollution and its effect on public health. These topics will be discussed in coming sessions of the Cabinet with the relevant ministers. The Ministry of State for FNC Affairs is currently coordinating with the General Secretariat of the FNC and related ministries to timetable the discussions.

A number of draft federal laws have also been referred by the Cabinet to the FNC to process and put before the specialized subcommittees before being reviewed by the FNC. This is an essential part of the legislative process in the UAE. The draft laws include the establishment of the Emirates Post Holding Group, a draft law pertaining to the Organization of Government Housing, and the Federal Environment Authority law. Other draft laws include the amendment of federal decree no. (8) of 1984 on commercial companies, the amendment of federal decree no. (21) of 1995 on traffic, and a draft federal law on establishing a National Council for Tourism and Antiquities.

Furthermore, the Ministry of State for FNC Affairs referred a draft federal law on export and import of controlled commodities to the Council for prompt review. The draft law was submitted in accordance with article (84) of the internal by-laws of the FNC, which deals with cases of fast tracking legislation by Cabinet request. The council will review the draft law promptly before it is referred to H.H. Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed for approval and promulgation.

Dr. Gargash praised the constructive cooperation shown by Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Ministry of State for Cabinet Affairs, and the FNC in matters related to organizing the relationship between the FNC and the Cabinet which will positively impact the course of the next phase.