The “What Are They Up To Now?” Act

[Óïn Ursüm]

The “What Are They Up To Now?” Act

WHEREAS Transparency in the Government is essential for citizens to put their whole trust in the nation's leaders; and

WHEREAS Trust is the basis of every good relationship; and

WHEREAS it is a duty of the Ziu to hold the Government accountable for its actions and to scrutinize them thoroughly; and

WHEREAS if one does not ask something then one does not get something; and

WHEREAS the best way to question the Government’s actions publicly is to hold a public questioning session in the Ziu; and

WHEREAS many Parliaments of the world have such systems, which have proven to yield information of the public interest and to increase accountability of the Executive; and

WHEREAS Information in the public interest requires a channel through which it can be disclosed; and

WHEREAS such questioning sessions are a good channel for the release of rightfully public Information; and

WHEREAS such questioning sessions would allow members of the Ziu to use such delightful expressions as: "M:sr Tuischac'h...," Would the Right Honourable gentleman be so kind as to..?" “Oh, oh,” and “Hear, hear”; now

THEREFORE, it is the sense the Ziu that the following convention should exist:

1. The Ziu shall conduct “Terpelaziuns àl Executíu,” (in English: “Executive’s Question Time” or “EQT”) where the Seneschal and Cabinet Ministers (“the Executive”) shall take direct questions from members of the Cosa and Senäts.

2. The topic of EQT questions shall be related to Governmental affairs, including those of the Cabinet Ministries and of all other executive offices.

3. The Seneschal may give an answer on behalf of any Cabinet Minister.

4. The Seneschal and Cabinet Ministers shall attempt to answer all questions put to them as fully as they see fit and as fully as the law allows.

5. A session of 'EQT' shall commence upon the opening of each Clark and end with the conclusion of each Clark. The Government shall attempt to respond to all questions prior to the conclusion of a session. Prior to the month of a Living Cosa, the Seneschal may decide whether or not EQT shall take place during that month.

6. The Tuischac’h of the Cosa shall be responsible for ensuring that all questions are relevant and appropriate, and shall be the ultimate authority on the limits and mechanics of the questioning process. Should there be no Tuischac’h, or should the Tuischac’h wish to delegate responsibility, the Mençei of the Senäts shall assume this responsibility and authority.

Uréu q'estadra så:-
E. D. Ursüm (MC, Progressive Party)

[Óïn Ursüm]

MC Éovart Grischun grew tired of the original Bill, but I thought I'd throw this revised version out there for suggestions.

E

[Sir Alexandreu Davinescu]

I think the current VoC is enforcement enough for these concerns. If an executive refuses to answer questions, then the Cosa can decide if the reasons are good enough. And if the Cosa doesn't do a good job, they'll lose their positions.

[Óïn Ursüm]

Jul 28, 2009 7:37:02 GMT -6 Sir Alexandreu Davinescu said:

I think the current VoC is enforcement enough for these concerns. If an executive refuses to answer questions, then the Cosa can decide if the reasons are good enough. And if the Cosa doesn't do a good job, they'll lose their positions.

I understand.

The main purpose of this resolution is to establish the convention of the questioning.

E

[King John]

We *could* just start doing it, and establish the convention that way.

— John R

[Óïn Ursüm]

Jul 28, 2009 9:21:03 GMT -6 King John said:

We *could* just start doing it, and establish the convention that way.

— John R

Sounds good to me.

E

[Ieremiac'h Ventrutx]

Yes avoiding needless legislation just for legistlations sake... we don't need a bill to do this.

[Capt. Sir Mick Preston]

And I, for one, wonder what you mean by the "Opening of the Clark" and "Closing of the Clark".

Do you mean from the 1st of the Month to the 15th ?

[Óïn Ursüm]

Jul 28, 2009 14:12:01 GMT -6 Capt. Sir Mick Preston said:

And I, for one, wonder what you mean by the "Opening of the Clark" and "Closing of the Clark".

Do you mean from the 1st of the Month to the 15th ?

That wording comes from Éovart Grischun's Bill. That's what it means, yes.

E

[Sir C. M. Siervicül]

Jul 28, 2009 14:05:40 GMT -6 Ieremiac'h Ventrutx said:

Yes avoiding needless legislation just for legistlations sake... we don't need a bill to do this.

The Ziu could probably handle all the really needful legislation with one Clark per Cosa. But what's the fun in that?