Operating principles

Ministry puts transport and communications policy into effect.

The Ministry of Transport and Communications prepares acts, decrees and decisions that are made in Parliament, at Presidential sessions of the Government and in the Government itself. The Ministry also issues ministerial decisions and regulations as well as guidelines and instructions on their implementation.

EU cooperation

The Ministry participates actively in EU cooperation. When Finland joined the EU in 1995, some decision making concerning transport and communications policy was transferred to Community level. Today, more than half the statutes on transport and communications are prepared in cooperation with the EU.

The Ministers of Transport and Communications represent Finland in discussions and decision making undertaken by the EU Council of Ministers of Transport and Council of Ministers of Telecommunications. The officials of the Ministry are involved in preparatory work in the working groups of the Council and the Commission.

International cooperation

The Ministry of Transport and Communications is actively involved in international cooperation not only with the other countries of the European Union but also with the other Nordic countries and with Russia and the Baltic states. The Ministry’s cooperation with Russia is mainly via the Russian Federation’s Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Information Technology and Communications. 

Budget economy

Within its administrative sector, the Ministry deals with budget economy. It prepares spending limits as well as an annual budget proposal and an operating and financial plan. The Ministry also monitors the use of funds allocated to its sector in the state budget and describes their use in its annual report.

Licences and state subsidies

The work of the Ministry also includes matters related to licences and state subsidies. These tasks have decreased in recent years, because administration has been lightened and these matters have been transferred to provincial and municipal levels. Licences are granted, for example, for the construction of mobile communications networks and for radio and television broadcasting. By purchasing services the Ministry finances public transport in sparsely populated areas, for example.

Promoting the sector

The Ministry also takes initiatives and makes proposals concerning the taxation of transport and communications where the responsibility for drafting lies with the Ministry of Finance. The Ministry of Transport and Communications monitors the functionality of the transport and communications system and promotes balanced development of the transport and communications sectors. This work is supported by research and development.

Press and information services

The Ministry actively disseminates information on decisions and matters that are pending. It aims to foster lively social discussion as well as co-operation with the transport and communications sectors.

Organisation

Ministry of Transport and Communications employs 160 people. The highest decision-making authority is vested in the Minister of Transport and Minister of Communications, while the highest-ranking permanent official is the Permanent Secretary.

The Ministry has three departments: Transport Policy Department, Communications Policy Department and Administration Department, which are managed by Director-Generals. The departments are subdivided into units. The Press and Information Unit works directly under the senior management.

Monitoring of the administrative sector

The government and budget-bound agencies within the Ministry’s administrative sector are independent organisations. The task of the Ministry is to monitor and supervise their work. The means of monitoring include annual performance targets and follow-up of their implementation and of the use of funds.

The Ministry reviews the operation of its agencies and authorities and requires the unincorporated state enterprises to be profitable, productive and providers of good service. The Ministry also prepares for the unincorporated state enterprises the key performance targets and strategy goals set by the Government.