ABU DHABI // Members say disruptions to FNC sessions have been a problem since this council convened.
Members become fired up about certain topics and spend months preparing. Then a final report sits in a drawer for months, sometimes years, until a session is set with a federal minister for public debate.
By then, any momentum is lost.
For years, the council has blamed the Ministry of FNC Affairs for this. The FNC is considered to be independent of the ministry.
The ministry’s official website says its main role is to coordinate between the Government and the FNC, take part in drafting legislation related to the role of the council, and supervise media affairs linked to parliamentary practice. Presumably, this means that it is up to the ministry to determine which minister sits with the FNC, and when debates and report discussions take place.
But last week Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for FNC Affairs, said it was up to the council to determine which report it wanted to study next, and when.
Some members found this response confusing, believing the ministry has always been responsible. They say this is not how the agenda is set.
Hamad Al Rahoomi (Dubai) has complained about this several times in the presence of Dr Gargash, saying that if ministers can plan for press conferences and other events, they can easily plan for council appearances.
Mr Al Rahoomi says pointing out problems in ministries is the council’s job, and ministers should not take offence.
“This is why we are getting our salaries,” he says.
This constant bickering puts the FNC in a bad light, and disputes with ministers keep these ministers from performing their tasks.
While it might be too late to solve the problem for the current council, a new system is essential to ensure uninterrupted work for the next.
osalem@thenational.ae
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Known EU weapons transfers to Ukraine since the war began: Germany 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles. Luxembourg 100 NLAW anti-tank weapons, jeeps and 15 military tents as well as air transport capacity. Belgium 2,000 machine guns, 3,800 tons of fuel. Netherlands 200 Stinger missiles. Poland 100 mortars, 8 drones, Javelin anti-tank weapons, Grot assault rifles, munitions. Slovakia 12,000 pieces of artillery ammunition, 10 million litres of fuel, 2.4 million litres of aviation fuel and 2 Bozena de-mining systems. Estonia Javelin anti-tank weapons. Latvia Stinger surface to air missiles. Czech Republic machine guns, assault rifles, other light weapons and ammunition worth $8.57 million.
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- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
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- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
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- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
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Find the right policy for you
Don’t wait until the week you fly to sign up for insurance – get it when you book your trip. Insurance covers you for cancellation and anything else that can go wrong before you leave.
Some insurers, such as World Nomads, allow you to book once you are travelling – but, as Mr Mohammed found out, pre-existing medical conditions are not covered.
Check your credit card before booking insurance to see if you have any travel insurance as a benefit – most UAE banks, such as Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, have cards that throw in insurance as part of their package. But read the fine print – they may only cover emergencies while you’re travelling, not cancellation before a trip.
Pre-existing medical conditions such as a heart condition, diabetes, epilepsy and even asthma may not be included as standard. Again, check the terms, exclusions and limitations of any insurance carefully.
If you want trip cancellation or curtailment, baggage loss or delay covered, you may need a higher-grade plan, says Ambareen Musa of Souqalmal.com. Decide how much coverage you need for emergency medical expenses or personal liability. Premium insurance packages give up to $1 million (Dh3.7m) in each category, Ms Musa adds.
Don’t wait for days to call your insurer if you need to make a claim. You may be required to notify them within 72 hours. Gather together all receipts, emails and reports to prove that you paid for something, that you didn’t use it and that you did not get reimbursed.
Finally, consider optional extras you may need, says Sarah Pickford of Travel Counsellors, such as a winter sports holiday. Also ensure all individuals can travel independently on that cover, she adds. And remember: “Cheap isn’t necessarily best.”
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Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
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