Dimension: 1.4.4 Parliamentary committees
This dimension concerns the provisions on the powers, functions, composition, governance and procedures of parliamentary committees. A comprehensive system of committees provides accountability and efficiency while ensuring systematic engagement with the public.
The types of committees, as well as their duties and powers, vary from parliament to parliament. Generally, parliamentary committees fall into one of two categories: “standing” (also known as “permanent”) and “ad hoc” (also known as “temporary”). In some systems, standing committees review proposed legislation and at the same time oversee the activities of the executive branch. In other cases, law-making and oversight functions are divided between ad hoc and standing committees. In some bicameral systems, both types of committees might include members of one or both chambers.
The distribution of committee chair roles among the parties represented in parliament can differ. In some systems, the party with the majority of seats has the benefit of chairing all committees, while in others, committee chair roles are distributed among the political groups.
The number and size of committees, as well as the frequency of committee meetings, should be clearly regulated by the legal framework or by parliament’s rules of procedure.
Committee Committee See: Parliamentary committee Parliamentary committee A body comprised of MPs who are appointed, on either a temporary or a permanent basis, to debate or closely examine matters closely related to specific policies, issues or circumstances, in line with the committee’s scope of work. The theme, structure and nature of parliamentary committees are established by a chamber’s rules of procedure. Depending on the these rules, the composition of a committee may reflect that of the whole parliament or include diverse party representation. In some parliaments, the term “commission” is used instead of, or interchangeably with, “committee”. . meetings and documents should be open and accessible to the public, unless there is sufficient justification for a closed meeting to be held.
See also Indicator 7.3: Composition of parliamentary bodies.
Aspiring goal
Assess your parliament against this dimension
Assessment criteria
No 1: Legal framework
Parliament has a clear legal mandate to establish committees, and to define their powers, functions, composition, governance and procedures.
No 2: Role
Parliamentary committees are mandated to review proposals for laws, to obtain information from the executive, to summon government officials, to report to parliament on their findings, and to make recommendations.
No 3: Procedures
Parliament’s rules of procedure provide clear guidance with regard to committee meetings, such as the time of a meeting, notice of a meeting, the preparation, approval and distribution of the agenda, quorum, chairing, record-keeping, voting and reporting.
No 4: Transparency
Committee meetings are open and accessible to the public, unless there is sufficient justification for a closed meeting to be held. Meetings are broadcast, live-streamed and/or recorded for future public access. Committee documents are publicly available.
No 5: Resources
Parliamentary committees are supported by sufficient human, financial and administrative resources, including qualified staff.
No 6: Practice
In practice, committee meetings are held regularly on the basis of a meeting agenda that is duly approved and published. Committees interact with the public in multiple ways. Committee decisions, findings, recommendations and other conclusions are produced and reported to parliament.
How to complete this assessment
This dimension is assessed against several criteria, each of which should be evaluated separately. For each criterion, select one of the six descriptive grades (Non-existent, Rudimentary, Basic, Good, Very good and Excellent) that best reflects the situation in your parliament, and provide details of the evidence on which this assessment is based.
The evidence for assessment of this dimension could include the following:
- Provisions of the constitution and/or other aspects of the legal framework on the functioning of parliament concerning the establishment and organization of parliamentary committees
- Provisions of parliament’s rules of procedure concerning committee meetings
- Provisions of parliament’s rules of procedure showing that committee meetings are open and accessible to the public, unless there is sufficient justification for a closed meeting to be held
- An organization chart of committee staff
- Committee Committee See: Parliamentary committee Parliamentary committee A body comprised of MPs who are appointed, on either a temporary or a permanent basis, to debate or closely examine matters closely related to specific policies, issues or circumstances, in line with the committee’s scope of work. The theme, structure and nature of parliamentary committees are established by a chamber’s rules of procedure. Depending on the these rules, the composition of a committee may reflect that of the whole parliament or include diverse party representation. In some parliaments, the term “commission” is used instead of, or interchangeably with, “committee”. . reports and recommendations
Where relevant, provide additional comments or examples that support the assessment.
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The assessment of indicators involves diagnosing and considering strengths and weaknesses, i.e. the things parliament is doing well, and the things it could do better or more effectively, taking into account established good practices that are described in the indicators.
Read the assessment guidance to find out what to consider when conducting an assessment against the Indicators. Find out how to prepare, how to set the objectives of the assessment, how to organize the process, and more. Contact the project partners for expert advice.
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