FNC demands answers from Cabinet over delay of motions’ review

Abu Dhabi: Members of the Federal National Council on December 24 demanded a clarification from the Cabinet as to why it was late in responding to their motions.

“The members demand answers over the unpuctuality of the Cabinet in passing these recommendations, especially as many of these recommendations were passed by the council in the previous legislative term,” Mohammad Al Mur, FNC speaker, said.

Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for FNC Affairs, maintained that the delay was a one-off case.

“The remarks of the members were discussed by the FNC ministry immediately following the last session of the council. At the end of the day and honestly, I cannot give any justification for such a long time delay...it is, however, an exceptional case and it is too difficult to offer any excuse,” Dr Gargash told the House.

Dr Gargash added the government has been following the issue of the Cabinet’s recommendations, expressing hope that the question be addressed effectively in the future.

Musabeh Al Katbi, a member from Sharjah, said there have been motions with the Cabinet, for which the House did not receive any reply. “What is the new system to ensure the FNC’s recommendations are addressed on time?” he asked.

Dr Gargash remarked that in general the Cabinet and its general secretariat deal with the correspondence of the FNC well. “In the case there is any delay, there will be no excuse,” he said.

Dr Gargash suggested that a letter be submitted to the Cabinet about this case, so that it will not happen in the future.

Dr Gargash reiterated that the House’s motions addresses issues of interest to UAE society and the Government.

“The critique levelled against the FNC Ministry helps it fast-track handling of these motions,” Dr Gargash said.

On December 11, the Cabinet sent a letter to the House saying that a motion submitted nearly three years earlier to set up a National Health Authority had been approved.

The council’s members said the Cabinet’s response was not only late, but the law itself was annulled in 2011.

They maintained the approval meant there was either confusion over the issue or the Cabinet had forgotten that the law no longer existed.