The whip sees that Members of the parliamentary group attend National Assembly sittings, makes a list of names of those who are to speak in various debates and assembles as many Members as possible when votes are taken. In addition, the whip ensures that Members are present at sittings of the committees of which they are members, supervises the sharing of duties and the provision of support services, such as secretarial and research services, to Members, and takes part in the selection of delegation members. Since 1994, the chief government whip has attended cabinet meetings but does not take part in the discussions. Standing Committee Chairmen Besides the President of the Assembly who, by virtue of the office, chairs the Committee on the National Assembly, ten chairmen head an equal number of standing committees. The Chairmen of the Standing Committees are Members who are elected by their peers for two years after being appointed to a parliamentary committee.
Chairmen organize and plan the work of their respective committees.
Three out of eight committee chairmen must belong to Opposition parties. They are assisted by vice-chairmen from a different political party. All chairmen of standing committees are members of the Committee on the National Assembly. They may also supervise developments relating to certain issues or act as the Minister's representative on various occasions. Most parliamentary assistants act as regional delegates, a function designed to establish links between the executive power and the regions.