FUNCTIONS
Last update 01/02/2022
The Secretariat General of the Senate is responsible for assisting, supporting and providing legal, technical and administrative advice to the different bodies of the House. It is the Senate's administration.
SECRETARIAT GENERAL – SENIOR PARLIAMENTARY COUNSELLOR
The Senior Parliamentary Counsellor of the Secretariat General is responsible for overseeing the assistance, support and legal, technical and administrative advice given to the different bodies of the House, and is also ultimately in charge of the administrative services of the Senate, tasks performed under the authority of the Bureau and the Speaker.
The Assistant Secretaries General report directly to this figure with regard to Parliamentary Affairs and Administrative Affairs. The following units also report to the Secretary General:
- CABINET
The Secretary General's immediate assistance services, which are divided into an advisory unit, and a coordination, control and project evaluation unit.
- DEPARTMENT OF INSTITUTIONAL RELATIONS
Support, assistance and advice with regard to media relations, institutional image, and Senate protocol, as well as internal and external information and supervision of the Senate webpage.
- AUDITS
Taxation and accounting of all acts, documents and files of the Senate Secretariat General which give rise to economic rights and obligations, as well as financial advice.
- LEGAL ADVISORY
Legal advice, as well as representation and defence of the Senate when required, in accordance with current legislation.
- SECURITY
ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL FOR PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
The Assistant Senior Parliamentary Counsellor/Assistant Secretary General for Parliamentary Affairs is directly responsible for leading and coordinating administrative services corresponding to the following Departments:
- TECHNICAL PARLIAMENTARY ASSISTANCE
Preparation, advice, assistance, support and implementation for matters within the scope of the Plenary Sitting, the Permanent Deputation, the Bureau and the Board of Spokespersons in the Senate.
- DEPARTMENT OF COMMITTEES
Preparation, advice, assistance, support and implementation for matters within the scope of the Senate Committees.
- DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH
Conducting research and analysis related with constitutional and parliamentary activity, as well as matters pertaining to the European Union.
- DEPARTMENT OF DOCUMENTATION
Conducting documentation tasks related with the activity of the Senate.
- DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Preparation, organisation and management of international affairs and inter-parliamentary cooperation for the Senate.
ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL FOR ADMINISTRATIVE AFFAIRS
The Assistant Senior Parliamentary Counsellor/Assistant Secretary General for Administrative Affairs is directly responsible for leading and coordinating administrative services corresponding to the following Departments:
- DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND INTERNAL GOVERNANCE
Management, advice and control in matters pertaining to staff members who provide services to the Secretariat General in the Senate, as well as services provided to Senators, health and safety issues, in addition to any matters not specifically attributed to other Departments and which affect the internal governance of the Senate.
- DEPARTMENT OF BUDGETS AND CONTRACTS
Advice and management of matters pertaining to contractual procedures, furniture and artistic assets, budgets and accounting in the Senate.
- DEPARTMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Advice and management pertaining to the Senate's buildings and facilities.
- DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES
Advice and management in matters pertaining to the Senate's computing and communications system.