Schedule for the Second Parliamentary Term: discussion

LABOUR AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES SELECT COMMITTEE
15 March 2006
SCHEDULE FOR THE SECOND PARLIAMENTARY TERM: DISCUSSION

Chairperson: Ms M Themba (ANC)

Documents handed out:
No documents were handed out.

SUMMARY
Members met to discuss the adoption of Final Acts of the Plenipotentiary Conference but delayed the discussion due to the Department’s absence. The Committee discussed the schedule for the second parliamentary term. Members felt that important briefings should have all concerned Committees in attendance. Briefings that related to a national crisis should be provided at the earliest possible stage.

Discussion
The Chairperson stated that the Department officials were abroad and the scheduled discussion would therefore have to take place at a later stage.

Ms N Ntwanambi (ANC) recommended that the meeting scheduled for 3 May 2006 be held outside Parliament.

The Chairperson and Members agreed on the following schedule for the second parliamentary term.
4 May: Department and CGIS meeting
9 May: Department of Labour briefing
10 May: Department of Public Enterprises briefing

Mr D Mkono (ANC) requested that briefings be supplied at an early stage, when the matter was of national concern.

Ms J Tereblanche (DA) asked whether the Committee could be included in earlier briefings when the matter was a national problem.

Mr D Gamede (ANC) stated that the interests of all provinces had to taken into consideration in the event of power shortages.

Ms N Ntwanambi (ANC) noted that the power shortages would affect all provinces and therefore clear plans should be made promptly.

The Chairperson noted that the briefing by Eskom on May 24 had been cancelled. The briefing concerning the possible adoption of the Final Acts of the Plenipotentiary Conference that took place in Marrakesh would be scheduled for 24 May 2006.

She stated that the briefing by Transnet on 7 June should include details on the restructuring process and worker’s strikes. The gains made by Transnet should also be included.

Ms N Ntwanambi (ANC) noted that Minister Erwin mentioned that public transport matters would be taken over by the Transport Department. She recommended that questions be ready when Transnet came to brief the Committee and requested that no junior staff members should brief the NCOP.

Ms J Tereblance (DA) requested that minutes from previous Committee meetings be made available to Members to avoid unnecessary discussion. She stated that accurate minutes were very important.

Mr D Mkono (ANC) recommended that Members set aside a day to vote on the budget. He stated that the budget discussion should not be in conjunction with other meeting agendas.

The Chairperson noted that the budget would be discussed between the Labour, Communications and Public Enterprise Departments. She stated that the draft schedule would be distributed shortly and considered in the following week.

The meeting was adjourned.