FNC postpones second session of the term

Members are concerned there is not enough time left to address all unfinished business.

ABU DHABI // The Federal National Council’s second meeting of the new session has been postponed.

The FNC was due to meet on Tuesday to get started on an ever-growing workload, but members were told the session had been delayed.

While some members have said it was likely to take place on November 18, others have said they had not yet received any official information from the FNC’s general secretariat.

Members expressed their disappointment with the change in plans after earlier voicing concerns that the number of sessions left before the end of term would not be enough to cover all they had planned to discuss.

Some had suggested that sessions be doubled until the end of term, which will be the closing of the 15th legislative chapter and the start of a new council.

“We do not know why the session has been postponed,” said Hamad Al Rahoomi, from Dubai. “Time is important for the FNC, especially since we have a lot of topics to discuss.

“There should be better scheduling than there is now. We are losing time. If one minister is not available, then another one should be brought in.”

Topics awaiting debate include reports on the Central Bank, the teaching and education sector, and use of Arabic in the country.

A meeting of council committee heads on Thursday will compile a list of topics that must be debated in the next six months.