Chairperson, Deputy Chair, Budget Vote No 2 of Parliament is indeed a very important Vote, especially because it is a Vote that singles out the work of Members of Parliament, who have been elected by the people, to do work for the people and on behalf of the people, so that the people can benefit.
Our economy is under strain, revenue is dropping and many of our essential services, such as health care and education, are not coping with the huge demands being placed on them.
We in the ID believe it is imperative that Parliament asserts its leadership role during these difficult times through both our words and actions and focuses on dealing with the massive challenges in our society. Our oversight role and our programme of Taking Parliament to the People are of the utmost importance. These are so important that we dare not neglect the function of that part of this House.
Our debates need to reflect this and Parliament needs to be a centre, not only of ideas, but also of action, a place in which petty squabbles are put aside in favour of truly grappling with the challenges we face.
It is time to restore the standing of this institution in our society, and we need to ensure that all the corruption scandals of the past are dealt with properly and put behind us. I support the hon Chairperson. By reporting back to this House, I support his transparency and his accountability. I have always known him as a man that we can respect, and since the day I met him, I have respected him and this is from the time of the Northern Cape provincial legislature.
We also need a greater level of transparency in our institution and we should amend the Act so that MPs can put questions to the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker and not just to members of the Cabinet.
This fourth democratic Parliament presents us with the opportunity to build a new institutional culture, one which the people of our country can look to for true leadership and guidance during these difficult times. We dare not fail them. I thank you, and the ID supports this Vote.