| Type of parliamentary body |
Multifunctional |
| Nature |
Permanent |
| Related to chambers |
Sejm
|
| Date of creation |
August 1989 |
| Last renewal date |
15 November 2007 |
| Mandate |
The Constitution provides for the existence of standing committees, as well as for special and investigative committees (created for investigation of a particular issue). Standing committees are normally established at the beginning of a legislative term and work to the end of it. The rules of the functioning of the investigative committee are defined by statute. According to the Standing orders of the Sejm, the Sejm committees are organs established for: (1) the consideration and preparation of matters under deliberation by the Sejm; (2) expression of their opinions on matters referred for their consideration by the Sejm, the Marshal of the Sejm or the Presidium of the Sejm. The committees of the Sejm are also supervisory organs of the Sejm, within the scope specified by the Constitution and statutes. The National and Ethnic Minorities Committee is a standing Committee. The subject matter of its activity is the preservation of the cultural heritage of national, ethnic and language minorities and the protection of their rights. |
| Membership |
The composition of the committees is determined by the Sejm by means of a resolution adopted on the motion of the Presidium of the Sejm, after it obtains the opinion of the Council of Seniors. As a result, the composition of the committees reflects the political structure of the chamber. At present, there are 18 deputies in the National and Ethnic Minorities Committee who serve for the same term as the Sejm. |
| Working methods |
The basic work of the Sejm is performed in parliamentary committees. Each committee is led by a chairperson and his/her deputies, who constitute the committee's presidium. They are chosen in an open election by a majority vote from among committee members at the first sitting of a new term. The chairperson summons committee's sittings. The chairperson or one of his/her deputies presides over the debates. The chairperson ensures discipline in the discussion; after calling a deputy twice to keep to the point under discussion, he/she is empowered to direct the speaker to discontinue a speech which deviates from the topic of the committee's debates. Attendance at committee sittings is mandatory for ministers and heads of high state administrative bodies (or their representatives), whose range of activity encompasses the issues considered at the meeting in question. The presidium of the committee or its chairperson may also invite other persons to participate in the sittings, i.e., representatives of professional and social organizations and experts. Deputies who are members of other committees may take part in the committee's meetings. They may participate in the discussion and submit motions, but they cannot vote. The chairperson of a committee may consent to the presence of press, radio and television journalists. Owing to the topic of the debates, or for other reasons, a committee may decide that its sitting will be closed; in such case, the committee itself decides whose presence at the closed sitting is indispensable. Committee's resolutions are passed by a majority vote in the presence of at least one third of the statutory number of members. Two or more committees may hold joint sittings presided by one of their chairpersons. In joint sittings resolutions are passed by a majority vote, in the required presence of at least one third of the statutory number of the members of each committee. A committee may establish ad hoc subcommittees, at the same time determining their composition and range of activity, and, with the consent of the Presidium of the Sejm, permanent subcommittees. The sittings of the committees (and subcommittees) are noted down in minutes. Apart from the minutes, which comprise an official record of the course of the debates and adopted resolutions, the committees issue press releases, which serve as unofficial summaries of the committees' debates. |
| Relations with other parliamentary bodies |
See above. |
| Relations with external bodies |
In general, the committees perform an important role in exercising the Sejm's oversight function. Each of the committees is vested with special powers described in the Standing Orders of the Sejm, according to which the committees examine the reports and information provided by ministers, heads of high state administrative bodies and heads of other state offices and institutions. The committees are also competent to analyse the activities of particular departments of the administration and to provide oversight of the state economy. The Standing Orders of the Sejm oblige all ministers and other state officials to present reports and supply information at the request of a committee presidium, as well as to participate in the sittings of the committees whenever the subject of the debate coincides with matters which lie within the competence of that minister or official. According to the Standing Orders, a committee's presidium or its chairperson may also invite persons other than officials of the state administration for the purpose of presenting information and explanations on issues which are the subject of a particular debate or investigation. Committees have the possibility to adopt desiderata or opinions. According to the Standing Orders of the Sejm, a desideratum contains the committee's postulates regarding particular issues and may be directed to the Council of Ministers or one of its members, the President of the Supreme Chamber of Control and the Public Prosecutor General. The addressee of a desideratum is not obliged to act in accordance with the committee's postulates, although he may decide to do so. On the other hand, the addressee has a duty to respond. He or she must present an opinion as to the contents thereof and inform the Marshal of the Sejm about his or her position in writing no later than 30 days from the day of receiving a desideratum, unless the Marshal sets a different deadline at the request of the addressee and after consulting the committee presidium. The Standing Orders provide the Marshal of the Sejm with important powers as regards the committees' use of desiderata, which are considered an instrument of oversight and inspiration. The committee may also avail itself of another instrument which bears a slightly different character than desiderata, i.e., it has the possibility to adopt a resolution called an opinion. In accordance with the provisions of the Standing Orders of the Sejm, an opinion contains the committee's position on a particular matter. The committee may present an opinion to the same bodies that receive the desiderata, as well as to other central governmental departments and institutions. An opinion serves the purpose of inspiring, or prompting action, rather than an oversight function, although the committees may ask the addressees of opinions to present views on the issues contained therein. |
| Subjects dealt with |
So far, National and Ethnic Minorities Committee of the 6th term had four sittings. It has discussed, among other things, the state budget for 2008 and received information from the minister of justice concerning the situation in the ministry and the bills which are being prepared. |
| CONTACT INFORMATION |
| Main address |
National and Ethnic Minorities Committee
Chancellery of the Sejm
ul. Wiejska 4/6/8
00-902 WARSAW |
| Phone |
+48 22 694 20 48 |
| Fax |
+48 22 694 20 48 |
| E-mail |
... |
| Website |
http://www.sejm.gov.pl
|
|
|
|
PRESIDING OFFICER(S)
|
| Name |
Mr. Marek Ast |
| Notes |
Chair |
|
SECRETARY
|
| Name |
Ms. Beata Machul-Telus |
| Notes |
Secretary |
| Address (if different from above) |
|
| Phone |
+48 22 694 18 29 |
| Fax |
... |
| E-mail |
beate.machul-telus@sejm.gov.pl |
| web site: |
...
|
| Notes |
|
| Name |
Ms. Jolanta Osiak |
| Notes |
Secretary |
| Address (if different from above) |
|
| Phone |
+48 22 694 18 29 |
| Fax |
... |
| E-mail |
jolanta.osiak@sejm.gov.pl |
| web site: |
...
|
| Notes |
|
|
