| Parliamentary Practice By S.Svetova, 1997 |
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Parliamentary Practice By S.Svetova, 1997
Table of Contents
Introduction I. Parliamentarism: Historical and Theoretical Outline. Development of Parliamentarism in Ukraine…5 II. Structure of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada….12 III. Place and Role of Parliament in the System of State Authority…18 Section 1. Division of Power…..18 1.1. Is there a Mechanism for Restraint and Balance in Ukraine? …19 1.2. Judicial Branch…19 1.3. Relations Between the Executive and Legislative Branches…20 Section 2. Specific Key Features of the Oversight Function….23 2.1 Committee Hearings…23 2.2 Accounting Chamber…23 2.3. Work in Particular Cases…23 Section 3. Some Recommendations…24 3.1. How to Prepare a Deputy Inquiry?...24 3.2. How to Make Requests for Secret Information?...26 3.3. How to Avoid Conflict of Interest…27 3.4. What Interests Should a Deputy Represent?..28 IV. Representative Function of Lawmakers….30 What are the Various Types of Representation?...30 What are the Statutes Regarding Representation in Ukraine?....33 How to Develop a Strategic Plan as an Elected Representative…34 V. Legislative Function of People’s Deputies Who Can Initiate Laws?...39 Legislative Initiative in Ukraine…44 What Does the Ukrainian Constitution Say about Legislation?....46 How Can a Deputy Draw Attention to Problems Requiring Legislative Resolution….47 What are the Stages of the Legislative Process?....48 Steps in Formulating Laws in the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada….54 What Role do Committees Play in the Legislative Process?.....56 What Role do Plenary Sessions Play in the Legislative Process?.....56 What are the Procedures for Amending Bills in the Verkhovna Rada?....57 VI. Deputies’ Functions as Committee Members….60 What Types of Committees Exist in Ukraine and Around the World…60 What are Committee Authorities?...61 How are Committee Members Selected?...62 How are Committee Heads Selected?...62 Can a Deputy Be a Member of Several Committees?...63 What is the Main Function of Committees?....63 What are the Roles of Hearings?....64 Recommendations….65 Who Can Assist a Deputy as a Committee Member?...68 VII. Factions in the Legislature….71 What is the Difference Between a Faction and Deputy Group?....72 Treatment of Factions/Parliamentary Groups in Other Countries’ Parliaments….72 What Role do Party Organizers and Leaders of Parliamentary Groups Play?...77 Rights and Limitations of Factions in the Verkhovna Rada…..777 VIII. Selection of Cadres and Leaders…80 What Statutes Regulate Committee Issues?...80 Rights and Obligations of MP Consultants….81 What Sort of Support Staff Can a Deputy Have?.....83 How Can a Deputy Attract Student Assistants and Volunteers?....84 What Should Hiring Procedures Be?...85 Assessing the Work of Employees?....87 IX. Verkhovna Rada and Mass Media….89 Introduction: New Features of Independence….89 Transparency….89 The Role of the Mass Media….90 Confidentiality and Secret Information….91 Rights and Obligations of the Press….92 Role of the Press Secretary….93 Press Secretary’s Responsibilities…93 Television Broadcasting…95 A Few Recommendations from Communication Issues Experts….95 X. Role of Lawmakers in Lobbying…98 What is Lobbying?.....98 What Methods to Lobbyists Use?....99 Who Can be a Lobby?....99 What is an Interest Group?...100 Lobbying – a Positive or Negative?...100 Regulation of Lobbying…..101 Lobbying in Ukraine….102 XI. Ethical Norms and Regulations…..104 Legislator Rules of Conduct in the Parliamentary Rules of Various Countries….109 Austria…111 France….112 Italy….116 Poland….118 Holland……120 Great Britain – Excerpts from the House of Commons Regulations….121 Great Britain – Excerpts from the Guidelines for Deputies from the Lok Sabga (Lower House) of the Indian Parliament….123 Excerpts from the Rules and Regulations of the European Parliament…128 |
