~Says civil servants deserve certainty instead of waiting for the government's schedule~
PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Ardwell Irion has called on Parliament to establish firm dates for the continuation of the 2026 budget debate, saying civil servants should not be left in limbo because of uncertainty surrounding the parliamentary schedule.
In Monday's notifications, Irion said several civil servants had expressed concern after comments suggesting Parliament could reconvene in the third or fourth week of July without a definite timetable.
According to the MP, the uncertainty has created frustration among public servants attempting to plan vacations and family trips during the summer.
Irion argued that Parliament—not the Executive Branch—must determine its own schedule.
"We don't work for government. Government is accountable to us," Irion reminded the Chair.
He criticized what he described as inefficiencies in the planning of this year's budget process, saying Parliament should establish clear deadlines rather than waiting indefinitely for the government to indicate when it is ready to continue.
"The presidium, the whole organizing of this budget, the inefficiency, the not giving dates... I believe we should be able to tell civil servants, 'On this date we will come back,'" Irion stated.
The MP noted that during normal budget debates there is generally an established schedule, allowing both Members of Parliament and civil servants to plan accordingly.
He urged that before Monday's meeting concludes, Parliament should adopt a definitive roadmap for the remaining stages of the budget process.
"I hope that at the end of today we can really establish the way forward," Irion concluded.
Beyond the procedural issue, Irion's remarks touched on the broader relationship between Parliament and the Executive, stressing that legislative oversight should not be dictated by the government's availability, but by Parliament's constitutional responsibility to hold the Executive accountable.