Dimension: 1.7.6 Hearings

This dimension concerns the provisions and practices relating to the holding of committee hearings. Hearings are a very important way for parliamentary committees to gather information on a topic, to obtain data and opinions, to seek evidence from a wide range of individuals and, therefore, to inform the legislative process and exercise oversight of the executive’s policies and actions.

Hearings are one of the most common forms of public engagement in the work of parliament. They provide an opportunity for individuals and groups of citizens to contribute written and oral evidence.

Committee Committee See:  Parliamentary committee Parliamentary committee A body comprised of MPs who are appointed, on either a temporary or a permanent basis, to debate or closely examine matters closely related to specific policies, issues or circumstances, in line with the committee’s scope of work. The theme, structure and nature of parliamentary committees are established by a chamber’s rules of procedure. Depending on the these rules, the composition of a committee may reflect that of the whole parliament or include diverse party representation. In some parliaments, the term “commission” is used instead of, or interchangeably with, “committee”. . hearings are typically held on the parliamentary premises, and in many parliaments can also be held outside parliament.  In principle, hearings should be open to the public, and any exceptions to this rule – such as a valid need to hear confidential evidence – should be clearly defined in parliament’s rules of procedure. Committee Committee See:  Parliamentary committee Parliamentary committee A body comprised of MPs who are appointed, on either a temporary or a permanent basis, to debate or closely examine matters closely related to specific policies, issues or circumstances, in line with the committee’s scope of work. The theme, structure and nature of parliamentary committees are established by a chamber’s rules of procedure. Depending on the these rules, the composition of a committee may reflect that of the whole parliament or include diverse party representation. In some parliaments, the term “commission” is used instead of, or interchangeably with, “committee”. . hearings are increasingly being broadcast, for example through the parliamentary website.

There should be clear rules and procedures on the planning and organization of hearings, covering matters such as notice of hearings, the preparation, approval and distribution of the agenda, quorum, chairing, recording and voting. It is also important that the results of committee hearings are properly documented – ideally published as a transcript – and that the committee’s decisions, findings, recommendations and other conclusions resulting from the hearing are made public.

Parliamentary staff Parliamentary staff Employees working for the parliamentary administration who provide professional and impartial support and services to enable MPs to fulfil their legislative responsibilities. In this publication, the term “parliamentary staff” does not include political staff who provide support to individual MPs or parliamentary (party) groups. It should be noted that parliamentary staff are categorized differently across the globe, and the term may refer to individuals who work under either partisan or non-partisan capacities in parliament. In this publication, the term refers to individuals who are non-partisan. Typically, parliamentary staff are separate and independent from the executive's civil service. should support the organization of committee hearings, including by seeking evidence from a wide range of sources.