Information on EU proposals in Union communications
The Government must inform Parliament of draft legislation and other matters falling within its competence in the form of Union communications. These are generally prepared by the relevant ministry and approved by the Cabinet Committee on European Union Affairs. The Government decides on the content of a Union communication and then submits it to Parliament as an official document in Finnish and Swedish.
According to the Constitution, the Government must communicate EU proposals to Parliament without delay. As a rule the Government expresses its views on a proposal within a few weeks. If the Government is unable to decide what position to take on a matter, it must submit a communication to Parliament by the time the Grand Committee takes the matter up for discussion.
The Speaker refers a Union communication to the Grand Committee (or the Foreign Affairs Committee) and decides what special committees should issue statements to the Grand Committee. Announcements concerning the referral of a matter to a committee are made in plenary session.
The Grand Committee reviews a proposal together with the government communication and committee statements on the matter. It may also hear the relevant minister, civil servants and outside experts.
In general the Grand Committee expresses its views in a brief statement that is placed on the record and sent to the Government. In important matters the Grand Committee may also issue a statement in which it explains the reasoning behind its position in greater detail.
Statements prepared by the special committees and statements sent to the Government by the Grand Committee are published as parliamentary documents in Finnish and Swedish. Like all parliamentary documents they are available on Parliament's website.
The Government and ministries must inform the Grand Committee and the appropriate special committee of significant changes in a proposal. This is particularly important if changes require the reevaluation of Finland's position or the rethinking of a position already approved by Parliament.