Department of International Relations & Co-operation Committee Report on Budget : consideration & adoption

Meeting report

Remarks by the Chairperson
The Chairperson stated that the Committee would consider and thereafter adopt its report on the Department’s budget vote. He noted that the Committee had already debated all the fundamental issues at length and that sufficient consensus had been reached on these matters.

He proposed that the wording in the last paragraph be amended to reflect that the Committee had first considered the report and thereafter either supported or rejected it.

This proposal was supported by all the Members.

The Chairperson asked Members to scan the report and offer any comments relating to it.

Mr K Mubu (DA) recalled that the Department had indicated that it was satisfied with the money it had received, but foresaw the need to ask for more funding at a later stage. As a result, he suggested that a provision be inserted in the budget to indicate that more funding would be requested at a later stage.

Mr M Mdakane (ANC) said that the wording of the of the report should be changed on a matter of principle as it used the term “general concerns” instead of using something definite like specific reports.

The Chairperson agreed with the Member and concluded that the wording would be changed from concerns of a general matter to those of a specific matter.

Mr Mokgalapa asked how certain issues would be filtered into the budget.

The Chairperson replied that there was no need for extensive discussion and to re-open a debate on the report.

There was a general consensus that no further debate was necessary.

Adoption of Committee Report
Due to a shortage of permanent members, a few alternate members had to be summoned so that the quorum for the adoption of the report could be reached. It was explained that voting was a task that any member of parliament may partake in.

The Committee adopted the Report with amendments.

Ms M Pilusa-Mosoane (ANC) believed that the proposed workshop would be helpful in giving clarity on all the relevant issues.

The Chairperson agreed that the Committee would benefit greatly from the workshops. He emphasised the need to work together and to represent the country in the best way possible.

The meeting was adjourned.