ABU DHABI // A sense of purpose was palpable as FNC members prepared for their final year in office despite their mounting workload.
“We only have 17 public sessions until the end of this term,” said Dr Abdulrahim Al Shahin (RAK). “And there is a lot of work to be done.”
He said members were “seriously considering” doubling sessions in the capital.
“Instead of meeting once every two weeks, we want to meet for two consecutive days every two weeks,” he said. “Then we can dedicate one day to legislations and one day to discussions.”
Eight full reports and discussions are already waiting, including a report on teachers in the country and a report on the central bank, and a number of draft laws.
Mohammed Al Murr, Speaker of the FNC, called on members to hold committee meetings as soon as possible to elect committee heads and deputies so that work can resume as soon as possible.
Mr Al Murr went as far as to suggest that committee members remain in their committee positions, noting they had already made considerable progress with their work teams. But some members protested, seeking a change as their term comes to an end.
“Because it is the council’s final year, you may find that the activity will drastically increase as members race to leave their mark on the FNC,” Dr Al Shahin said on the sidelines of the session. “Some want to do this because they plan to run at the next elections.”
While the majority of committees remain unchanged, some had one or two members leave.
Most notably Afra Al Basti, a Dubai member and head of the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, urged the council to approve of her decision to withdraw her membership from the Human Rights committee.
Mr Al Murr, however, was not in favour.
“We usually like the heads of these committee to be those with experience in these fields,” he said. “Human rights issues is something Ms Al Basti carries out in her life work.”
Mr Al Murr told her that the council was proud of her work and track record in the human rights field.
Although Ms Al Basti said she wished to withdraw her membership so as to join another committee - the Interior and Defence committee - she thanked the speaker for his trust and expressed a desire to leave a mark in this field. She now remains with the Human Rights committee.
Just before the first session came to a close, Dr Sheikha Al Ari asked to excuse herself and a number of other FNC members who are also members of the Arab Parliament, to catch their flight to Egypt to attend meetings.
Ahmed Al Jarwan, Sharjah member and Speaker of the Arab Parliament, could not attend the FNC session because he was already in Egypt for the meetings.
osalem@thenational.ae
