The President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, issued federal decree No. 76 of 2009 calling for the house to convene today.
The government has referred to the house three federal bills: amendment of commercial agencies law, a draft law on approving closing accounts of the federation and some independent bodies for fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, and a draft law on protection of the national grid of the Federal Electricity and Water Authority.
The FNC will discuss government memos from Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for FNC Affairs, on recommendations of the Marriage Fund, a federal draft law on creation of the Emirates Development Bank and a cabinet resolution on the Ministry of Finance policy. Speaker of FNC Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair said the council’s agenda include introduction and discussion of many topics and issues. These issues include Emiratisation in the government and private sectors, the issue of food security, the policy of the Ministry of Education in Al Ghad Schools and teaching English language. The house will also discuss the financial crisis, foreign policy and the government’s policies in the media sector, Ministry of Justice, fisheries development, the General Authority for Civil Aviation, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority and others, in addition to several parliamentary questions.
Third session
Al Ghurair said the third regular session had witnessed many achievements at different levels. The house unanimously approved the draft constitutional amendment No. 1 for the year 2009, which strengthened the council’s role. He added that the amendment of the law has its positive impact on the march forward.
The Speaker underlined the council’s contribution in the operation of the legislative structure of the state through discussion and adoption of important bills addressing and regulating the various affairs of the nation and citizens.
These included the federal draft laws on public debt, guarantee of bank deposits, guarantee of financial instruments, government revenue, and establishment of Emirates Development Bank, which the council decided to return to the relevant committee for further study. He appreciated the efforts made by the committees of the council and its members to study the issues through communication with all parties concerned, which had the greatest impact in adoption of appropriate recommendations, their approval by the FNC and submission to the government.
He mentioned the outstanding successes achieved by the council in particular in gaining more support for the UAE’s position through regional and international cooperation on resolving the issue of the three islands occupied by Iran.
Al Ghurair said the cornerstone of the council’s policy is to develop and enhance cooperation with the citizens through field visits by the members of the council and its committees.
The FNC continues to hold seminars in closed and open meetings and invite representatives of various government and community institutions to hear their proposals on the topics discussed and adopted by the FNC to reach appropriate decisions, said Al Ghurair.
He said the council has always worked to develop the performance of various aspects of parliamentary work, which will reflect positively on its performance during the current chapter.
