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PARLIAMENT OF 2010 CONTENTS

3 Speaker’s Review 4 Big decisions made in long session 4 6 An MP’s work requires patience 10 “A slight touch”

Playing an international role requires 11 expertise 12 13 Excavation continues beneath 14 Youth Parliament 15 The price of democracy: €18.10 per citizen 13

14 Back cover: Parliament approved the state budget in December. This required over 600 votes in plenary session. Speaker’s Review

The final session of an electoral term Parliament last year. has traditionally been referred to as During the electoral term a “long Parliament”, because it has Parliament’s administration usually lasted from February until was reformed. The change in March of the following year. The Parliament’s operational expendi- 2010 session of Parliament lasted ture remained moderate through- even longer, since general out the term. Expenditure was low- were moved back from March to er in 2010 than in the final year of April. the preceding term. Including the Parliament made many far- Parliamentary Office’s operation- reaching decisions during the al expenditure and money spent long session. It authorized the on renewal work, Parliament cost construction of two additional €18.10 per citizen in 2010. nuclear power plants, voted to In a service survey MPs gave the amend the Constitution in a more Parliamentary Office’s services a parliamentary direction by reducing mark of 4.13 on a scale of 1–5. This presidential power and decided to result shows that the Parliamentary support euro countries that are in Office is on the right track in financial trouble. pursuing its objective of producing During the 2007–2011 the best parliamentary service in electoral term an entirely new Europe. committee went to work. The Public perceptions of Parliament Audit Committee supervises the often centre around MPs. A large financial management of the state group of people with different skills and compliance with the budget. work in the background, however. In 2010 it commissioned a study of Without their support Parliament the increasingly international grey could not enact laws, draft budgets economy in Finland and prepared and oversee administration. It may a 25-point action plan to combat it. come as a surprise to many that The renovation of the Parliament Parliament’s largest personnel group Buildings is proceeding according to is cleaning staff. plans and should reach completion Parliament is a unique place to before Finland celebrates the 100th work not only because employees are anniversary of in strongly committed to their work, 2017. A new accessible entrance but also because of Parliament’s was opened in the autumn, making community atmosphere and service it significantly easier for persons culture. It is a pleasure to welcome with disabilities to visit. Over new MPs as well as visitors. 36,000 people took guided tours of

Sauli Niinistö

PARLIAMENT OF FINLAND 2010 3 Big decisions made in long session

The final session of the 2007-2011 20 government proposals were of decisions with broad and far- electoral term was unusually long, allowed to lapse because there was reaching impacts, including since Parliament decided in spring not enough time to handle them by amendments to the Constitution, 2010 to move back general elections the end of the electoral term. Four authorizations to build additional from March to the third Sunday in nuclear power plants and support April. “The general tone for crisis countries in the euro area. The 2010 session of Parliament Seppo Tiitinen, who has served as opened on 3 February and lasted of Parliament’s Secretary General for nearly twenty until 12 April 2011. activities was years, says that the approaching Sauli Niinistö served as Speaker, elections began colouring Seppo Kääriäinen as First Deputy marked by parliamentary work earlier this time Speaker and Tarja Filatov as Second polls indicating than in past years. Deputy Speaker. exceptionally large “The general tone of Parliament’s In the session preceding activities was marked by polls elections Parliament received 336 changes in party indicating exceptionally large government proposals, which was preferences” changes in party preferences, by higher than usual. The number Finnish standards. The agitation of government proposals in the under the surface received new final sessions of the three previous years ago five government proposals driving force from the economic electoral terms was less than three were allowed to lapse. difficulties of Greece, Ireland and hundred. Parliament made a number Portugal and the arrangements put in place to help Greece and Ireland,” he notes.

As the oldest MP, Jacob Söderman (Social Democratic Party) held the chair on 2 February until the Speak- ers were elected. He is shown here with Secretary General Seppo Tiitin- en (left) and Director of Legislation Keijo Koivukangas.

4 2010 Parliament well informed on the crisis

Erkki Tuomioja (Social Democratic Party) is the chair of the Grand Committee, which is responsible for handling EU matters. He says that in the best case the euro crisis will cost Finland nothing if guarantees are not needed and loans are repaid. “The worst thing is not the prospect of losing some of the loans that have been made, which is quite possible with Greece, but allowing

“The worst thing is not the prospect of losing some of the loans that After the resignation of Prime Minister (), Parlia- have been made, ment elected (Centre Party) as Prime Minister by a vote of but allowing a 115-56. few countries’ problems to credit at high interest rates would of the euro crisis, even though the spread to a have participated in the costs. This message has not always been what it has been a subject of debate and would like to hear. pan-European disagreement in the committee the “The Finnish Parliament is the recession.” whole time.” only parliament in Europe that Tuomioja says that the Grand the government has kept properly a few countries’ problems to spread Committee has constantly been informed, even during crisis to a pan-European recession. This kept up to date on the management weekends.” would be very costly for Finland as well.” The alternative to aid packages Government proposals 1995–2010 would be to allow crisis countries to restructure their debt. 350 “If that happened banks that 300 have carelessly given these countries 250

200

150

100

50

0 1995-98 1999-02 2003-06 2007-10

The first annual session of the electoral period The third annual session of the electoral period

The second annual session of the electoral period The fourth annual session of the electoral period

PARLIAMENT OF FINLAND 2010 5 Reform will strengthen Parliament’s position

On the final stretch of the 2010 session Parliament approved an amendment to the Constitution that will shift power in the area of foreign policy from the President of the Republic to the Government and Parliament.

“Giving one person great power can lead to the abuse of power, as history has shown.”

The new Parliament that will Tarja Filatov served as Second Deputy Speaker in the 2010 session of Parlia- convene after the must give ment. On the left is Secretary General Seppo Tiitinen. its approval before the amendment can enter into force. Secretary General Tiitinen considers the chair Kimmo Sasi (National make compromises. Decision- reform another step towards a Coalition Party) believes that strong making in Parliament is therefore more of presidential power has a downside. more stable and takes different government. “Giving one person great views into account better.” The Constitutional Law power can lead to the abuse of Another amendment to the Committee played a decisive role power, as history has shown. All Constitution would make it in considering the matter, and the parts of society are represented in possible to petition Parliament for amendment was approved on the Parliament. They scrutinize one legislation by collecting the names basis of its report. Committee another and have to negotiate and of 50,000 voters who are Finnish

An MP’s work requires patience

Before Tarja Tallqvist (Christian “It was quite a disappointment to Tallqvist had been in Parliament Democrats) was elected to notice that nothing happened. for only a month when she sub- Parliament, she was known for Still, we have to draw attention to mitted a legislative motion calling her award-winning TV documen- issues, which means talking and for the investigation of the crimi- taries and defense of elderly listening,” she says. nal backgrounds of people work- people’s rights. Tallqvist’s work as a direc- ing with the elderly, disabled and At first she was surprise by the tor of documentaries ended mentally ill. slow pace of legislative work. She on a high note: a programme “Legislation is now being pre- chuckles that four years ago she that stimulated social discus- pared. Although we’ll have to sincerely believed that problems sion and demands for corrective wait until the next term and no in care for the elderly could be measures. one may remember that it was corrected if only someone would “It’s harder to be a decision- my motion, the important thing take the floor and explain what maker and face demands now is that something is being done.” caretakers had to deal with in that I know how slowly things Tallqvist notes. real life. proceed.”

6 PARLIAMENT OF FINLAND 2010 citizens. A separate act on this procedure could enter into force as soon as the beginning of 2012. Sasi hopes that citizens’ will address major issues and show proper forethought. “It would be too bad if initiatives were made for irrational reasons, distorting issues. If initiatives are good and important, they can establish a tradition and lead to real results.”

Nuclear power and renewable energy

One of the most important decisions of the electoral term was made in summer 2010, when Parliament gave two companies (Teollisuuden In autumn 2010 former Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Centre Party) Voima and Fennovoima) permission appeared before the Constitutional Law Committee to respond to allega- to build additional nuclear power tions of misconduct. The committee concluded that Vanhanen was wrong to stations. participate in a decision allocating funds from the Slot Machine Association, but Parliament considered that the threshold for bringing charges was not “A precondition for Finnish reached. industry and jobs in Finland is access to energy so that we aren’t entirely dependent on imports. The “The aim of the energy. In the future an increasing aim of the nuclear power decision share of energy will be produced was to stimulate falling exports nuclear power using wood chips, waste, ground and get Finland out of recession,” decision was to heat, wind, water and the sun. explains Jouko Skinnari (Social stimulate falling “This is a longer-term solution Democratic Party), the chair of the and is also in line with EU Commerce Committee. exports and get objectives. Renewable energy can In addition to voting on nuclear Finland out of be an important export product for power stations, Parliament approved recession” Finland and promote .” a sizable aid package for renewable Skinnari adds.

Type of matter / Year 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Government proposals 280 181 236 289 336 Government reports 8 3 8 9 11 Government statements 1 2 2 Interpellations 7 1 3 3 6 Prime Minister’s announcements 4 4 1 2 5 Union matters 80 52 86 90 73 Legislative motions 186 145 137 127 140 Petitionary motions 167 64 78 91 149 Budgetary motions 1 580 1 069 1 088 1 109 1 147 Supplementary budgetary motions 126 40 115 84 130 Written questions 1 206 637 1 066 1 119 1 436

PARLIAMENT OF FINLAND 2010 7 Quicker intervention in committee meetings are open to the family violence public, and from time to time there have been calls for a similar practice Total number of plenary sessions In the opinion of Vice Chair Anna- in Finland. and their total duration 2003–2010 Maja Henriksson (Swedish People’s In Henriksson’s opinion this Party), the most noteworthy question is difficult, because

800 accomplishment in the Legal committees must be able to work Affairs Committee was to make in peace and yet open social debate 700 petty assault an offence subject to should be possible while work is 600 public prosecution in cases of family going on in Parliament. 500 violence or if the victim is under 18. “It could be useful to hold public “It was a very important signal to 400 society that family violence is not an “It was a very 300 internal matter and that all violence 200 must be condemned. Hopefully the important signal to

100 amendment will have a preventive society that family effect and reduce acts of violence or 0 at least keep them from escalating violence is not an 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 before anyone can intervene,” internal matter.” Henriksson says. Sessions Many of the matters that come hearings on a general level, for before the Legal Affairs Committee example regarding how to develop Hours are connected to people’s daily the rule of law, what values we want lives. In Finland a parliamentary to protect, how to prevent crime committee’s work is not public and improve victims’ position. before it issues a report or statement, These issues should also be discussed however. In many countries more in plenary sessions.”

The committees held the following number of meetings and drafted the following number of reports and statements in the 2010 session::

2010 parliamentary session Meetings Reports Statements Grand Committee 81 2 14 Constitutional Law Committee 145 15 68 Foreign Affairs Committee 106 13 6 Finance Committee* 70 62 10 Audit Committee 84 11 10 Administration Committee 128 42 51 Legal Affairs Committee 129 45 21 Transport and Communications Committee 114 28 20 Agriculture and Forestry Committee 141 36 39 Defence Committee 70 5 13 Education and Culture Committee 124 15 22 Social Affairs and Health Committee 124 58 20 Commerce Committee 141 51 33 Committee for the Future 74 1 5 Employment and Equality Committee 120 18 21 Enviroment Committee 142 24 33 Total (including subcommittees) 2 107 426 386

* The Finance Committee generally prepares matters in eight subcommittees. These held the following number of meetings: Administration and Security Subcommittee 39, Tax Subcommittee 86, Education and Science Subcommittee 39, Agriculture Subcommittee 29, Communications Subcommittee 24, Employment and the Economy Subcommittee 35, Municipal and Health Affairs Subcommittee 33, Housing and Environment Subcommittee 29.

8 PARLIAMENT OF FINLAND 2010 Health Care Act allows health-care services across more choice municipal boundaries is a significant improvement for clients,” she adds. The Social Affairs and Health Freedom to choose where Seats in the Parlia­­ment: Committee began considering the a person receives care will be Health Care Act in summer 2010 expanded gradually. In the initial with an exceptional public hearing stage clients can decide which local Parliamentary Group 51 at a sports arena in Pori. Later on clinic they want to use in their Centre Party Parliamentary the committee heard testimony own municipality, and if they need Group 50 from dozens of experts. specialized medical care they can “Most of the experts considered choose a unit within a larger area. Social Democratic Parlia­-mentary the proposed changes necessary. Later on clients’ freedom to choose Group 45 Many thought the reform did will be expanded to clinics and not go far enough, however, since hospitals anywhere in the country. Parliamentary changes were not made in the way “The first stage starts in spring Group 17 services are arranged and financed,” 2011 and the right to choose will be relates Inkeri Kerola (Centre Party), expanded to the entire country in Green Parliamentary Group 14 the chair of the Social Affairs and 2014,” Kerola says. Health Committee. Kerola is also glad that rules Swedish Parliamentary Group 10 The Health Care Act brings have been spelled out regarding together provisions regarding waiting times. A client must receive Christian Democratic Parlia- activities and services that were treatment within six months after mentary Group 7 previously contained in the Primary receiving a referral. Young people Health Care Act and the Act on under the age of 23 are guaranteed True Party Parliamentary Specialized Medical Care. Kerola access to psychiatric care within Group 6 views this is a good thing. three months. “The possibility to choose Total 200 seats

At the beginning of September the Transport and Communications Committee visited the Port of Kemi with Port Director Reijo Viitala (left) as their guide. Shown here are committee chair Martti Korhonen (Left-Wing Alliance) and members Markku Pakkanen (Centre Party), Janne Seurujärvi (Centre Party) and Lyly Rajala (National Coalition Party), with committee counsel Juha Perttula in the background.

PARLIAMENT OF FINLAND 2010 9 Rhythm of parliamen- but constantly keeping the muck tary work improved flying in public has given the wrong picture and labelled Parliament’s Nearly forty MPs decided not to work.” stand for reelection in spring 2011. When she started out in Among those who are stepping Parliament, Andersson felt she down are Janina Andersson could easily get across her own ideas (Greens) from and Raimo and values in the media. Vistbacka (True ) from “There might be a few lines about Alajärvi. Andersson served 16 years my personal life to add spice, but in Parliament and Vistbacka 24. the main emphasis was on . “I’ll miss many people, being Nowadays it’s harder for new MPs to close to information and constantly convey a meaningful message. Often learning new things. But I won’t all you can hope for is a couple of miss arriving in Turku at 8 pm, lines with some substance in an knowing I’ll have to take the train article, which is all about looking back at 6:38 the next morning. Or inside the person,” she points out. the evening papers’ way of making Both veteran MPs are happy everything we do in Parliament that Parliament’s work rhythm seem evil and selfish,” Andersson became more reasonable while Tuija Brax and of says. was Speaker in the Greens voting on the state In Vistbacka’s opinion the the latter part of the 1990s. Since budget in December 2010. electoral term was particularly then MPs have been notified of marked by the campaign finance voting times in advance. Sessions scandal following the 2007 general stretching late into the night were elections. also abolished. but at my age I find it hard to get “It disturbed MPs’ normal “One good thing about the old through all the e-mails, sometimes work. There have been some useful days was getting mail written by coming a hundred or two hundred a consequences, such as the tightening hand. People should of course be day,” Vistbacka muses. n of campaign finance legislation, encouraged to use the Internet,

“A slight Kainuu touch”

If the Government parties have a as the most important victory not have to bear unreasonable simple majority, the opposition for the opposition in the 2010 costs,” Kyllönen says. has no chance to win a vote in session of Parliament. Otherwise Kyllönen believes plenary session. “It received a slight Kainuu that the reform of the Employment Opposition MPs must there- touch when the Employment Services Act was carried out fore be resourceful and have and Equality Committee wrote poorly. negotiating skills if they wish to into its report that applicants for “It involved the hardest leave their own mark on legis- work should not be required to political jockeying of the year. lation. The place to do this is in purchase a car but that real pos- Employment opportunities in committees, where reports and sibilities to commute should be the third sector, meaning organi- statements are prepared. determined according to public zations and associations, were MP Merja Kyllönen (Left- transport timetables and possi- slashed, and this will have a Wing Alliance), who is from bilities to walk or bike to work. great impact on ordinary peo- , points to the MPs from areas where distances ple’s lives. Competition neutral- defining of the commuting area are truly long cooperated with ity won at people’s expense,” she in the Employment Services Act one another so that people will laments.

10 PARLIAMENT OF FINLAND 2010 Playing an international role requires expertise

MPs are needed to represent Finland “The IPU was a channel for arranged by Parliament. She also in international politics. Finnish Finland to expand international draws attention to the work of the MPs are actively involved in ten relations, as it is for new developing International Department, which interparliamentary organizations. democracies today. At this stage in often remains behind the scenes. The largest and oldest of these our democratic development we “Without their contribution, is the Inter-Parliamentary Union, have an obligation to participate experience and skill, I would not which has a global scope with more in a sharing capacity but we have been able to participate in the 155 members and nine associate also can also broaden our own IPU Council or serve as members. understanding,” Komi adds. acting President at the Assembly in “During IPU Assemblies and Komi was on the IPU’s South Africa,” she acknowledges. votes one can feel currents in world Executive Council for four years politics in a concrete way. One and considered the organization’s High profile for Finland can see how small Europe is on efforts on behalf of gender equality in the the world stage, but also Finland’s especially rewarding. possibilities to play its own part. A “We worked hard for women’s The Finnish delegation to the small country cannot take its place right to vote, and it was a pleasure Parliamentary Assembly of the and earn recognition unless it has to hear women from Kuwait, for Council of Europe is among expertise,” says MP Katri Komi example, thank the IPU when they the most active. In 2010 all the (Centre), who chairs the Finnish obtained it,” Komi recalls. members of the delegation took part Group to the Inter-Parliamentary Komi is steadily improving her in discussions, presented initiatives, Union. language skills by attending courses prepared reports and participated in

Vice-President Xi Jinping of China (left) visited Parliament in March. Speaker Sauli Niinistö gave him a tour of the Plenary Hall.

PARLIAMENT OF FINLAND 2010 11 MPs Johannes Koskinen (Social Democratic Party), Juha Korkeaoja (Centre Party) and (National Coalition Party) attended the NATO Parliamentary Assem- bly in Riga last May. The assembly offers MPs from non-NATO coun- tries a chance to exchange opin- ions with politicians from NATO members and to hear what topics are being discussed, for instance with regard to participation in crisis management operations or defence spending.

election monitoring. Kimmo Kiljunen (Social In 2010: MP Sinikka Hurskainen (Social Democratic Party) served as the Democratic Party), who chairs OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s • Speaker Sauli Niinistö visited the delegation, was elected Vice- special representative in Central Vietnam, China, South Korea President at the Parliamentary Asia, and Johannes Koskinen and the Czech Republic. Assembly in January 2010. She also (Social Democratic Party) headed He also participated in the played a visible role as a rapporteur a working group that considered Conference of Speakers of for Belarus when the human rights ways to develop the organization’s Parliament that was arranged by the IPU in Geneva. situation in that country attracted activities. international attention on account Tuija Nurmi (National Coalition • Deputy Speaker Tarja Filatov of the demonstrations that followed Party) prepared a report on visited Lithuania in March presidential elections. cooperation in military medicine to help celebrate the 20th Last year both Council of Europe for the European Security and anniversary of the restoration Secretary-General Thorbjorn Defence Assembly. of independence. Jagland and Parliamentary Assembly In 2010 the • Speakers visited Finland President Mevlüt Çavusoglu visited focused on strengthening Nordic from Norway, Vietnam, Finland. welfare, influencing globalization, Switzerland, Kazakhstan, Hannes Manninen (Centre increasing mobility between the Indonesia and Slovenia. Party) continued as chairman of , protecting the • Parliament and the World the Conference of Parliamentarians maritime environment, giving more Bank Institute arranged of the Arctic Region. He is the content to the Northern Dimension a seminar for MPs from first Finn to hold this post. The and developing language developing countries in Conference is held every other cooperation. on 17-19 May 2010. year and took place in Brussels last Other forms of Parliament’s The seminar focused on the September. international cooperation are activities of parliamentary audit committees. Christina Gestrin (Swedish Speakers’ conferences and People’s Party) continued as chair exchanges of visits. Over a hundred of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary parliamentary delegations from Conference, which met on 29-31 different parts of the world visit August in Åland. Finland each year.n

12 PARLIAMENT OF FINLAND 2010 Excavation continues beneath Parliament

People living in the Etu-Töölö section of Helsinki cannot have failed to notice noise coming from Parliament this past winter. A new civil defence shelter and logistics centre are being built underground. “We’re aware of the disturbance this causes and sincerely apologize to neighbours,” says Project Director Hannu Peltonen, who is in charge of the renovation of the Parliament Buildings. “We’ve tried to cause less disturbance to neighbours with smaller blasts, but another objective is to complete blasting as soon as possible.” To make life easier for neighbours, a special warming system has been

The renovation of the Parliament Buildings is proceeding in stages. The “We’ve tried renewal of the northern wing of the main building was completed in autumn 2010. An accessible entrance was added to serve groups and indi- to cause less viduals visiting Parliament. disturbance to neighbours with smaller blasts” developed. Anyone who signs up can final inspections will be carried out to connected to building technology receive a text message a few minutes see if buildings have been damaged in solutions. A wall nearly two metres before the next blast. any way. high will be built next to Ainonkatu In addition to noise, neighbours “The goal is naturally to perform after the completion of this part of have concerns about the impacts of work so that no damage is caused,” the project. The top of the structure blasts on buildings. On the basis of Peltonen says. will be landscaped with plants. an environmental study, 45 buildings The renovation of the office wing The entire renovation project were surveyed before excavation on the Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu side is scheduled for completion in began. The impacts of vibration are of Parliament will reach completion 2017 when Finland will celebrate monitored with the help of sensors in June. A small site on the the 100th anniversary of its installed in the neighbourhood. Ainonkatu side of Parliament, facing independence.n Once excavation has been completed, the Helsinki Art Exhibition Hall, is

PARLIAMENT OF FINLAND 2010 13 Youth Parliament

The Youth Parliament, which convenes every other year, took place in the Plenary Hall on 16 April 2010. As in the past the format was based on . A total of 194 student representatives from 93 Parliament clubs all over Finland attended the session, together with 87 student journalists and 90 club leaders. Representatives of two clubs were unable to attend because their flights were cancelled as a result of the ash cloud produced by the eruption of a volcano in Iceland. Student representatives sat at MPs’ desks in the Plenary Hall, while the ministers who were on hand took their seats in the Government Box. Student journalists, club leaders and guests Members of the Youth Parliament take their seats in the Plenary Hall and ask ministers questions just as MPs do at Question Time.

The Youth whether a driving test should be was immediately used for real-time Parliament required in order to obtain a moped reporting on the session. licence, similar to the procedure The website is intended for announced the at driving schools. The vote was young people who are preparing opening of a new 104 for and 86 against requiring a to exercise their right to vote. It website at www. driving test. consists of three parts: Parliament, The plenary session was followed the Youth Parliament and pages nuorteneduskunta.fi. by a reception that was hosted for teachers. The site contains by the Speaker for participants basic information on Parliament and guests. During the reception and democracy in Finland as well sat in the public gallery. Of the students eagerly talked with as supplementary sources and 180 questions that were submitted ministers and MPs. Parliament participation channels. The Youth in advance, 42 were placed on clubs had also arranged meetings Parliament also provides support the agenda and there was time to with MPs in the afternoon. services for Parliament clubs in discuss 22 of these during the hour- The Youth Parliament announced schools and archives teaching long session. the opening of a new website at materials. n The Youth Parliament voted on www.nuorteneduskunta.fi. The site

14 PARLIAMENT OF FINLAND 2010 The price of democracy: €18.10 per citizen

The change in Parliament’s information management costs. Parliament’s expenses 2010 operational expenditure remained Parliament’s total costs also include (total €97,3 million) moderate throughout the electoral MPs’, their assistants’ and political term. In 2010 the Parliamentary groups’ costs. Office’s operational expenditure Figures do not include VAT or amounted to €44.7 million. Money the costs of organs operating in was saved by not filling vacant posts, connection with Parliament (the among other things. Parliamentary , the On the other hand the large- National Audit Office and the scale renovation of the Parliament Finnish Institute of International buildings has increased the office’s Affairs). costs. In 2010 nearly €20 million was spent for this purpose. Office Commission MPs, their assistants and Parliament’s expenses totalled parliamentary groups €31,0 million

€97.3 million last year. This comes The Office Commission, which is Staff expenses €29,9 million to €18.10 per citizen. The figure the headed by the Speaker and com- year before was €16.52. posed of MPs, directs, supervises Renovation and estate expenses The Parliamentary Office’s and develops Parliament’s adminis- €24,5 million operational expenditure includes tration and financial management. Information management expenses €6,4 million personnel, real estate and It appoints Parliament’s highest Other expenses €5,5 million

MPs’ costs declined

MPs’ pay, compensation Pertti J. Rosila, who is the head of metropolitan area. for expenses and domestic the Accounts Office. MPs are not paid extra for travel total about 20 million MPs’ starting pay is currently attending committee meetings euros a year or 21 per cent of 5,948 euros a month. After three or late evening or weekend Parliament’s budget. terms the figure rises by a little sessions. In 2010 these costs fell by 1.3 over 400 euros. The Speaker A three-person remuneration per cent, although MPs’ pay was receives 10,962 euros a month. committee appointed by the increased by 1.6 per cent at the This is taxable income. Speakers decides on MPs’ pay. beginning of November. In addition MPs receive tax- The chair from 1 October 2008 “Money was saved particularly free compensation for expenses to 30 September 2012 is Pekka on domestic travel. Flight costs ranging from 990 to 1,810 euros Tuomisto, with Maj-Len Remahl were reduced by making greater a month, depending on where and Seppo Riski serving as use of negotiated-rate and they live and whether they have members. special-price tickets,” relates a second home in the Helsinki

PARLIAMENT OF FINLAND 2010 15 An underground corridor connects Parliament House and the Little Parlia- ment annex. It is decorated by Markku Arantila’s 54-metre mural entitled “Travellers”.

officials and resolves significant which is subordinate to the Office matters regarding Parliament’s Commission, is responsible for administration and financial creating the proper conditions for management. Parliament to carry out its tasks as In 2010 the Office Commission an organ of state. The Parliamentary included Speaker Sauli Niinistö, Office comprises the Central Deputy Speakers Seppo Kääriäinen Office, the Committee Secretariat, and Tarja Filatov and MPs Tuomo the Administrative Department, Hänninen (Centre Party), Merja the International Department, the Kyllönen (Left Alliance), Petteri Information and Communication Orpo (National Coalition Party) Department and the Security and Matti Ahde (Social Democratic Department. The Parliamentary Party). Deputy members were Office is headed by the Secretary Erkki Pulliainen (Greens), Mikaela General of Parliament. Nylander (Swedish People’s Party), The Central Office plans and Kari Kärkkäinen (Christian prepares Parliament’s plenary Democratic Party) and Pirkko sessions, records minutes of sessions Ruohonen-Lerner (True Finns and is responsible for producing, Party). publishing and distributing The Parliamentary Office, parliamentary documents and

PARLIAMENTARY OFFICE altogether 466 civil servants and 189 MP's personal assistants

Information and Communication International Department, 74 Department, 20 Library of Parliament Secretary General, 8 Research Service

Security Department, 46 Parliament Information Office

Committee Secretariat, 69 Central Office, 71 Administrative Department, 178 Secretariat of the Grand Secretariat Committee Administrative Office Swedish Office 15 Special Committees Real Estate Office Registry Office EU-Secretariat Accounts Office Documents Office Information Management Office MP's personal assistants, 189

16 PARLIAMENT OF FINLAND 2010 translating them into Swedish. The Office Commission. office work, form the largest Committee Secretariat takes care The Security Department’s most category of personnel. of preparing committee meetings visible task is security checks for Real estate and facilities and documents that are needed for persons visiting Parliament, but it is decision-making in plenary session. also responsible for the functioning The Parliament Buildings consist The Information and and development of Parliament’s of Parliament House (1931), an Communication Department security system as a whole. expansion that was completed in includes the Library of Parliament, The Parliamentary Office had 1978, an office building that dates the Research Service and the 655 full-time employees at the from the 1950s and the Little Parliament Information Office. end of the year. Two-thirds of Parliament annex, which was The International Department these were permanent. Among completed in 2004. takes care of relations with temporary personnel (237) MPs’ These buildings have a gross international organizations and assistants numbered 189. floor area of nearly 58,500 square other . Personnel included 410 women metres. Cleaners must attend to The Administrative Department and 265 men. Employees’ average 47,100 square metres of this total. is responsible for administrative age was 44.5 years. A small number of parliamentary matters such as finances, real Roughly one-third of employees officials work in rented premises estate, information technology and are experts. Employees performing in the state office building at personnel administration as well as practical tasks, such as custodians, Antinkatu 1. n the preparation of matters for the cleaners and persons doing general

Assistants in the Central Office take care of collecting, distributing and storing plenary session documents, maintaining the sound system, recording sessions and monitoring the quality of webcasts. Here Raija Väre and Markus Puttonen search for information concerning a parlia- mentary document at the request of an MP. In the background is Matti Hirvonen.

PARLIAMENT OF FINLAND 2010 17 Welcome to Parliament of Finland

3

Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu

1 2

1. Parliament building

Visitors' entrance Plenary sessions are open to the public. Entrance is opened 15 minutes before each plenary session.

2. Little Parliament, Parliament Annex • Visitors' Centre Opening hours fMonday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 10 a.m. to 4.15 p.m., Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. • Parliamentary Ombudsman Website www.oikeusasiamies.fi

3. Library of Parliament Website lib.eduskunta.fi

18 PARLIAMENT OF FINLAND 2010 PARLIAMENT OF FINLAND CONTACT INFORMATION

Mailing address FI-00102 Eduskunta Helsinki FINLAND

Telephone: +358 9 4321

Website: www.parliament.fi

Parliament of Finland 2010

Editor: Parliament Information Office

Layout: Innocorp Oy/Milla Toro

Photos: Parliament photo archives • Vesa Lindqvist,front cover, p. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 14 • Tiina Tuukkanen, p. 2 • Tiina Virtanen, p. 9, 12 • Lehtikuva/Markku Ulander, p. 2 • Lehtikuva/Vesa Moilanen, p. 16, 17 • SkyFoto/Sami Kurikka, back cover Council of Europe, p. 2 Lehtikuva/Heikki Saukkomaa, p. 7 Marc Goodwin, p. 13 Back cover: Parliament House, built in 1926-1931, is Printed by: going through an extensive renovation. PunaMusta Oy 2011 In 2010 workers began repairing the southern wing of the main building. ISSN 1799-0068 (print)