Powers and functions of the Senate

(1) Without prejudice to any other powers vested in the Senate by this Constitution or any other law, the Senate shall have the powers and perform the functions set out in the subsection (2) of this section. (2) The powers and functions of the Senate referred to in subsection (1) are of this section as follows, (a) authorising the ratification (including adhesion or accession) of any treaty by the Government of Belize, including any treaty for the settlement of territorial dispute between and the Republic of Guatemala; (b) approving the establishment in Belize of any Military base of operations for any foreign military forces; (c) approving the appointment of the Contractor General, the Ombudsman, a member of the Elections and Boundaries Commission and a member of the Integrity Commission; (d) instituting and conducting enquiries and investigations on any matter of public interest or importance, including inquiries into mismanagement or corruption by persons in the central government or public statutory bodies; (e) receiving, reviewing and reporting on annual reports and other reports of the Auditor General, the Contractor General and the Ombudsman and instituting and conducting inquiries, investigations and hearings in relation thereto; (f) requiring the attendance before it of the Auditor General, the Contractor General or Ombudsman generally, in relation to the discharge of their duties and the execution of their functions; (g) requiring the attendance before it of any Chief Executive Officer in a Government Ministry in respect of any matter of which he or she has knowledge by virtue of his or her office, or in respect of anything related to his or her office and the due execution of his or her duties; and (h) requiring the attendance before any Committee of the Senate, of any Minister of (3) Where any law, including this Constitution, provides a procedure for making any appointment referred to in subsection (2)(c) of this section, and such procedure of appointment is inconsistent with the powers of the Senate under this section, then such appointment shall only be validly done if the prior approval of the Senate as required by this section is obtained. (4) The Senate shall exercise its powers and perform its functions under this section through a resolution supported by a simple majority of its members.