FNC members frustrated as minister postpones appearance at session

Rashad Bukhash (Dubai) told yesterday's meeting he presented a question to the council's general secretariat two months ago. Delores Johnson / The National

ABU DHABI // FNC members expressed frustration yesterday that efforts to obtain answers to questions put to government ministers and officials were left unanswered.

Members had planned to direct seven questions about pensions and Islamic affairs to Dr Hamdan Al Mazrouei, head of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, and Obaid Al Tayer, Minister of State for Finance Affairs and deputy head of the General Authority for Pensions and Social Insurance, but neither attended the session.

Both asked to postpone questioning to a later session, which has happened before with other ministers.

Members asked the council's secretary general, Dr Mohammed Al Marzouqi, and Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for FNC Affairs, whether the problem was with the council or indicated a lack of cooperation from the Government.

Members said such delays so late in a term meant that time was lost and other questions would also be delayed.

Some blamed the council for not promptly sending questions to ministers.

"The questions should be sent early, so that if there is an apology other questions can be pushed through," Hamad Al Rahoomi (Dubai) said. "Now we are losing valuable time."

Dr Al Marzouqi said if the session dates were specified in advance this would be possible, but vagueness about the dates increased the chances of ministers excusing themselves from attending.

Dr Gargash said members should not feel discouraged.

He told them the number of questions presented every session to ministers was far greater than with previous councils.

"Last term almost 200 questions were made," he said. "Right now the number of questions are very high, whereas before they were less. Now, questions have become a main pillar of the sessions."

He agreed with Dr Al Marzouqi that the absence of a set schedule was an issue. But members noted some questions were presented to the council's general secretariat months in advance.

"I have a question I presented two months ago," Rashad Bukhash (Dubai) said. "Until now it was not sent since the minister is not scheduled to attend. They can respond in writing. As soon as a question is made it should be sent."

Dr Al Marzouqi said 31 questions were waiting to be passed to the Government and it was not possible to present all questions at once in a single session while also going through legislation.

But other members blamed the ministers. Dr Abdullah Al Shamsi (Ajman) said he was frustrated because Mr Al Tayer attended a previous session when pension questions were presented, but refused to answer because the authority was being reshuffled.

"Obaid Al Tayer was here and postponed the questions and said he would be here," he said. "For important issues he should be here. This we find strange."

Dr Al Shamsi called on the FNC to take a stand to ensure ministers replied on time and as soon as questions were posed. "A minister is an employee, we represent Emiratis in the council," he said.

Mohammed Al Murr (Dubai), the FNC speaker, insisted the problems were simply a matter of logistics.

Marwan bin Ghalita (Dubai) said ministers had the right to postpone questions, but were expected to attend the following session.

Dr Gargash said: "Some days are good days for Government with the council, and some days are not so great. This is one of those days not so great. The Government is determined to cooperate with the council."

He said empowering the FNC was a national benefit.

"So we want to put things in context today, it is not a good day for the Government," he said. "We will go to them and say do not embarrass us with your apologies."