VietNamNet Bridge – National Assembly deputies yesterday, March 28, showed their approval of the report presented by Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong reviewing the four year performance (2007-2011) of lawmakers.

They said in the last four years, the 12th National Assembly had used lessons learned from the previous legislative tenures and held high the spirit of responsibility, unity and comprehensive renewal in all its activities, particularly in organisational structure and working modality.

They agreed that a certain success had been recorded in legislative work, both quantitative and qualitative.

In the past four years, 68 laws and 12 Resolutions were passed while the National Standing Committee approved 13 Ordinances and seven Resolutions relating to legal matters.

Relating to the supervisory function of the National Assembly, the deputies agreed that a lot of progress had been achieved, particularly in the way a supervision visit was conducted as well as the quality of the question-and-answer sessions.

In addition to successes gained in the period under review, the deputies were frank about limitations in their performances in the three key areas such as law building, supervision and making important decisions towards the nation's destiny.

Tran Thi Hoa Ry from the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Bac Lieu was full of praise for successes gained in the past four years, despite many difficulties and challenges inside and outside the country.

"Yet we have to concede that we have not done well in the area of law building. We're law makers but we're heavily dependent on drafting committees from relevant agencies," said Ry.

Tran Ngoc Vinh from Hai Phong northern port city pinpointed limitations during the law making process, particularly those that had strong impacts on the life of many people, such as the land law.

Le Thi Nhung from the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of An Giang asked agencies that were assigned to draft the laws to keep to the time schedule and ensure the bill was of high quality.

"The National Assembly should not hastily pass a law if it does not have a high consensus from the deputies," Nhung cautioned.

Hoang Van Toan, from the northern province of Vinh Phuc, agreed that some laws passed during the 12th National Assembly were not of high quality due to their poor preparation.

He attributed the shortcoming to lack of consultation with professional experts, particularly in matters relating to advanced science and technology.

Ngo Minh Hong from Ho Chi Minh City said: "In our activities sometimes we're in a passive position as in the case of approval of the balance sheet of the State budget or budget estimates."

Referring to overseeing activities undertaken by the deputies in the past four years, Tran Ngoc Vinh, from Hai Phong port city, agreed that the work done was professional and practical.

"Yet time dedicated to the activity is limited. And the implementation of conclusions and recommendations by the mission members are not up to the level of commitment," said Vinh.

Commenting on the performance of the National Assembly Committee, deputy Toan, from Vinh Phuc Province, asked the National Assembly to increase the number of offices affiliated to the National Assembly and elevate the Ombudsman Board to the Ombudsman Committee so that it could help speed up the settlement of complaints and petitions filed by citizens.

During their discussion, many deputies asked the National Assembly to increase the number of full-time deputies in the coming tenure and adopt a mechanism to give awards to deputies who were active during plenary and group working sessions.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News