No 2: Opportunities to raise issues in parliament

Parliament’s rules of procedure provide all MPs with reasonable opportunities to raise issues of concern to their constituents in parliament, including in debates and in committee and plenary work.

No 1: Legal framework

The legal framework clearly sets out the duties and expectations concerning the representative role of MPs.

Based on a global comparative analysis, an aspiring goal for parliaments in the area of “interaction with the electorate” is as follows:

  • The legal framework recognizes representation as a core function of MPs and clearly sets out the duties and expectations of their representative role.
  • All MPs have reasonable opportunities to raise issues of concern to their constituents in parliament, including in debates and in committee and plenary work.
  • The organization of the parliamentary calendar facilitates the representative role of MPs. MPs have sufficient time available to interact with their electorate.
  • Parliament provides MPs with adequate resources to support engagement with their constituents. These resources are allocated in an equitable, non-partisan manner.
No 5: Practice

In practice, parliament sets up PCIs to investigate possible maladministration, misconduct or policy failure by the executive. PCIs are able to carry out their inquiry with the full cooperation of the relevant authorities. The findings of PCIs result in representatives of the executive being held to account. 

No 4: Resources

PCIs have the trained personnel and administrative and financial resources necessary to support the process. 

No 3: Participation

Political participation in PCIs is proportional to political representation in parliament, and the role of the opposition is guaranteed by law. PCIs are open to the public, except in clearly defined exceptional circumstances.  

No 2: Powers

PCIs have the power to summon officials and/or private individuals, to obtain written and oral evidence, as well as information and documentation, from governmental, judicial, administrative and private institutions, to conduct hearings, and to issue findings and recommendations.  

No 1: Legal framework

The legal framework and/or parliament’s rules of procedure contain clear provisions on the establishment of PCIs. 

Based on a global comparative analysis, an aspiring goal for parliaments in the area of “parliamentary committees of inquiry” is as follows:

  • The legal framework and/or parliament’s rules of procedure contain clear provisions on the establishment of PCIs, and on the related procedures.
  • PCIs have the power to summon officials and/or private individuals, to obtain written and oral evidence, as well as information and documentation, from governmental, judicial, administrative and private institutions, to conduct hearings, and to issue findings and recommendations.
  • Political participation in PCIs is proportional to political representation in parliament, and the role of the opposition is guaranteed by law.
  • PCIs have the trained personnel and administrative and financial resources necessary to support the process. 
No 4: Practice

In practice, parliament rigorously and systematically conducts committee hearings and takes evidence from a wide range of sources. These hearings are open to the public unless there is a legitimate reason to close the meeting. The conclusions and results of committee hearings are documented and published.

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