Any committee is only as good as the most knowledgeable, determined and vigorous person on it. There must be somebody who provides the flame.
--Claudia Lady Bird Johnson
Parliamentary Committees Module: Unit 1: Effectiveness of Committees
Learning Objectives:
How do parliamentary committees contribute to governance?
After studying this unit you should be able to:
Have a better understanding of the functions of parliament and the use of parliamentary committees to help perform these functions;
Know committee systems, the different types, functions and powers;
Have a basic understanding of the role of the parliamentary staff in the effectiveness of committees.
Introduction
Unit 1 provides introductory information on how parliamentary committees as units of organization within legislatures, provide greater opportunities for in-depth analysis, making it possible for Members of Parliament and ultimately parliament itself to perform its core law making, oversight and representation functions. The unit looks in detail at the committee system examining, different types of committees, functions of committees and committee powers.
Any committee is only as good as the most knowledgeable, determined and vigorous person on it. There must be somebody who provides the flame.