ABU DHABI // Federal National Council members are ready to double their workload in the last eight months of their four-year terms.
“We cannot finish this term without finishing at the very least the majority of the reports we have prepared,” said Hamad Al Rahoomi, a member for Dubai.
“I think we need to hold weekly sessions to handle the workload. I am fully prepared for this.
“The law allows us to meet for that many times, if after the first session we find an overwhelming number of pending laws and discussions.
“I will ask the FNC to consider weekly sessions.”
Mr Al Rahoomi said it would be “most unfortunate” if reports did not make it into public discussions this year after “months and even years of work”.
“Committees worked hard on these reports. They need to conclude their work with recommendations to be raised to the Government.”
The FNC resumes today after the three-month summer recess. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, will open proceedings in the presence of government officials and other senior figures.
Issues tabled for debate include the status of teachers, challenges facing the Arabic language and the governance of the Central Bank. “These are only some of the discussions waiting to be debated. there are many more,” Mr Al Rahoomi said.
“I think nationals will care a lot for our work this year. With laws, nationals can barely feel the effect of them, but with discussions and parliamentary questions, nationals will feel the effect.”
Mr Al Rahoomi has high expectations for himself and his colleagues.
After at least three years of FNC experience, more for some members, he expects their performance this year to outweigh that of previous years.
“It’s like being at a university,” he said. “This is the fourth and final year, which should mean that we have all acquired a lot more knowledge. In my case, my knowledge has doubled, if not more.”
Khalifa Al Suwaidi (Abu Dhabi) said that for some members it was time to wind down and reflect on work.
“We will continue everything and finish as much as possible,” he said. “We have debated some very important laws, including the national service law, the anti-terrorism law and the commercial companies law. We expect this year to be a good one, too.”
He hoped the issues of housing, health and unemployment would make it to the council this year.
“I expect a lot more enthusiasm from members because this year they will present a lot of their completed work,” he said.
Even though he doubts the council will manage to get through all its work, he is not too worried.
“We have had a lot of achievements over the years, and I’m sure the next council will continue our work,” he said. “Life goes on, one generation finishes and another continues.”
He said increasing the number of sessions from two a month was not a practical solution. Instead, he said, discussions should be prioritised based on importance.
Ali Jassim (Umm Al Quwain) agreed.
“The sessions should go on as normal,” he said. “The Government have their duties and responsibilities and commitments, we cannot ask so much time from them.”
osalem@thenational.ae