House of Assembly
Key Officials
Clerk of the House of Assembly (Ag.) - Ms. Maria Rolle
Responsibilities
The office of the House of Assembly has responsibility for the overall administration of all matters relating to Parliament. The Department also recognises the importance of improving the image of and respect for Parliament in the society.
Mission
To provide services and procedural advice to Parliament to enable it to become an efficient, well advised Legislature.
Vision
To ensure that an efficient, reliable and professional service is provided to Parliament; that a close relationship continues to be fostered between the House of Assembly and its clients; and through constant updating and proper classification of its records that it continues to be a reliable repository for all documents/papers relating to Parliament.
Description and Organisational Structure
The House of Assembly was established by section 29 of the Dominica Constitution Order 1978 for the purpose of exercising the legislative functions of Government as provided for in the Constitution.
The present composition of the House of Assembly is 31 Members made up as follows: 21 elected Members; 9 nominated Members; 1 Speaker (Elected from among persons who are not Members of the House (section 36(2) of the Constitution).
The Office of the House of Assembly seeks to provide and maintain professional service and procedural advice to Parliament in order that it achieves its objectives. This it seeks to do through its small but dedicated staff and the use of modern equipment. It also seeks to improve physical facilities for the comfort and convenience of Members of Parliament.
As part of its programme, the House of Assembly Department also provides a support function to Select Committees of the House viz: Public Accounts Committee; Standing Orders Committee; Privileges Committee; Parliamentary Proceedings Broadcasting Committee as well as the Dominica Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the Constituency Boundaries Commission.
The Department aims to continue to be responsive to the needs of its clients despite the many challenges faced.
Our structure: The Legislature falls under the Business and Departments of Government for which the Hon. Prime Minister is responsible. He is the Leader of the House.
There is also the Speaker of the House who is elected in accordance with section 36 of the Constitution and Standing Order 4 of the House of Assembly. The Speaker is responsible for the management and general administration of the House. (S.O. 86(2)).
The office of the House of Assembly is headed by the Clerk of the House who consults the Speaker on all matters relating to Parliament and the day to day functioning of the office. The Clerk supervises the staff of the department.