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.