Abu Dhabi: Members of the Federal National Council demanded ahead of the new session of the legislature a stronger role and power in the UAE’s budgeting process and enforcement of their recommendations.

Ali Jasem, a veteran member of the FNC from Umm Al Quwain, told Gulf News the House should have “a stronger role and power” in the public budgeting to establish a sound relationship between the executive and legislative branches of the UAE Government.

“The legislature must have an authority to appropriate public funds and monitor spending and performance of different public institutions,” said Jasem, who also chairs newly set up FNC human rights watchdog.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will open the third ordinary session of 15th Legislative Chapter of the House on Monday in the presence of Crown Princes, Deputy Rulers, senior civilian and military officials and members of the diplomatic corps accredited in the country.

Jasem said the power of appropriation will give the legislature influence in allocating funds among competing priorities in education, health, housing other services.

He demanded that more recommendations of the House be enforced. “Ideally 70 to 80 per cent of the legislature’s motions should be implemented. However, we seek implementation of just 30 per cent of these recommendations,” Jasem said.

Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs, said on Saturday, the next phase of the country’s parliamentary experience will witness greater cooperation between the government and the Federal National Council in order to achieve the aspirations of the citizens.

He praised the performance of the Federal National Council in the previous sessions, which he said reflected distinct experiences on citizens’ issues, and its recommendations to the government on solving a number of issues proved the maturity of the country’s parliamentary life.

The representatives repeatedly complained that many of their recommendations approved by the Cabinet were not being implemented.

Though the Cabinet approved scores of proposed changes to vital services and areas of government work, there is no way the House can force government bodies to adopt these changes, Dr Abdul Rahim Al Shaheen, a member from Ras Al Khaimah, said.

Dr Al Shaheen demanded at the opening of the second session of the 15th legislative chapter of the FNC that a system be set up to follow up execution of the House’s recommendations.

He stressed the need for coordination between the Government and the House to enforce the implementation of recommendations passed by the Cabinet.

Asking what was the difference between an approved recommendation and a rejected recommendation, Al Shaheen said a mechanism must be set up so that members of the House are assured the Government has implemented these recommendations.

Pressing for more effective use of the FNC’s existing formal authority, Ahmad Mohammad Al Shamsi, a member from Ajman, said the topic of the House’s recommendations be taken up with the Government in the next session scheduled for November 20.

The FNC’s proposals are non-binding, but ought in theory to be implemented once they are approved by the Cabinet. Members complain that there is no way for them to ensure proposals are actually enacted.

Dr Gargash expressed his gratitude to the Council as it prepared discuss the issues concerning citizens and find appropriate solutions in the next two sessions.

Musabah Al Katbi, a member from Sharjah, said ministers should be punctual and attend sessions of the House. “The legislature has to deal with many questions and public issues in the upcoming session because of the ministers’ failure to attend,” he said.

Dr Gargash said the FNC second ordinary term sessions witnessed 100 per cent attendance by the Ministers, who discussed with the members about 11 draft laws apart from seven topics of general interest. Besides, they also responded to 56 questions, of which 46 were answered orally while the rest were offered written answers.

He added the Federal Government is keen on achieving all the requirements of the Federal National Council as well as attendance of Ministers to the sessions.

He said the government will respond to all the queries of the members with high level of accuracy and transparency taking into consideration the important role of the Council in enhancing the overall performance of the government, and its impact on the overall development process in the UAE.

“The cooperation between the government and the Council will be strengthened through the response to the directives of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, on establishing a governmental system that works in complete harmony with the UAE’s national strategy,” said Dr Gargash.

Dr Gargash pointed out that the distinct relationship between the Council and the government is a practical application of the leadership’s directives in building constructive and effective partnership between the executive and supervisory authorities to attain the best achievements for the country.