Qatar Govt. Authority Within the State
Qatar Govt. Authority Within the State Last updated on Saturday 24th April 2010
The Emir
The Emir is the Head of State. The present Emir is His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, son of the former Emir, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al-Thani.
The Emir is authorised to issues decrees on the advice of the Council of Ministers and in consultation with the Advisory Council.
The Emir, assisted by the Council of Ministers, has executive power within the State. The Emir thus holds both legislative and executive powers with the assistance of the Council of Ministers and the Advisory Council.
The Council of Ministers
The present government includes fifteen ministries. They are as follows:
Defence
Interior
Public Health
Finance, Economy & Commerce
Justice
Foreign Affairs
Endowments and Islamic Affairs
Municipal Affairs and Agriculture
Emiri Diwan Affairs
Transport & Communication
Education
Electricity & Water
Labour, Housing & Social Affairs
Energy & Industry
Information & Culture
The Council of Ministers is the supreme executive authority and is presided over by the Emir who directs, supervises and coordinates the work of the Ministers and the State Agencies. In addition, the Emir also issues instructions to the government and signs all resolutions passed by the Council of Ministers.
The Advisory Council
The formation of the Advisory Council is included in the Constitution of 19 April 1972. It consists of 30 members chosen for their good judgement and competence to represent all sectors of society all regions of the country.
The Advisory Council has the following responsibilities:
To debate the general policy of the State
To debate the social and cultural affairs of the State
To debate draft laws proposed by the Council of Ministers
To discuss the draft budget of major public projects
To request information from the Ministers and the ministries regarding matters within their control
To express its opinion in the form of recommendations and wishes
The Advisory Council has the following three main bodies:
The Presidency
The Council's Office
The Council's Committees
The Legal & Legislative Affairs Committee
The Financial & Economic Affairs Committee
The Public Services & Utilities Affairs Committee
The Domestic & Foreign Affairs Committee
The Cultural Affairs & Information Committee
Each committee must have at least five members and each member of the Council must serve on at least one committee. The Council may form other committees as needed. Committee meetings and debates are held behind closed doors.