Madam Deputy Speaker, we are all aware that the Constitution provides for a sovereign state, with a governance model based on the separation of powers between the state, Parliament, the executive and the judiciary. As the legislative authority, Parliament must, at all costs, protect its sovereignty by excelling in the way we do business. What the hon Ellis said this afternoon - about questions replied to by the executive - shows that we need to do business differently in the fourth Parliament.
We must set the example at all levels. The way we behave as Ministers, as Members of Parliament, the way we respect the institution and the way our own officials behave, are all contributing factors towards the image of Parliament.
In Programme 2 of the Budget Vote, money is being voted to ensure that we pass legislation and oversee the executive, an important role. According to the budget analysis published by Parliament in 2008, this programme does not appear to be a priority. It consumed the second smallest portion of the overall budget of Parliament in 2008. In real terms, this programme has grown by only 0,9%. Maybe there is an improvement this year.
Further, the money was shifted to the research capacity of committees, and opposition parties hardly see any of that research. Parliament should consider awarding a percentage of this research allocation to opposition parties who are, in many instances, more unbiased and in a better position to do oversight. Maybe this could be incorporated when Parliament develops effective new oversight measures. According to Parliament's own review, Parliament should now prioritise and finalise the financial administration Bills for Parliament and all other legislatures. Without these Bills, the financial administration of all parliaments is lagging behind. We must set the example. How can we be taken seriously in our oversight role if our own legislation is not in order? The matter has now been outstanding for the past four years and, hopefully, this fourth Parliament will do business.
This brings me to the catering services. Catering services are in a desperate need of a house committee to assist them on various issues. The quarterly meeting dealing with all sorts of issues is simply not enough. There is a lack of support and training in this department, and I would like to propose that we reinstate the catering services committee.
Parliament is situated in the heartlands of the wine industry. It is important that when Parliament's restaurants are serving wine to guests that we reflect this industry in a proper way. The standard of wine and the way it is being presented differ from restaurant to restaurant. We must rectify this.
Parliament is the nation's showpiece and belongs to all South Africans. We must be proud of this institution at all levels. Let's get a catering services committee to sort out our problems, and I believe it will contribute towards running catering more cost-effectively. I thank you. [Applause.]