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MP wants stricter selection for national honours
BY ERICA VIRTUE Observer writer virtuee@jamaicaobserver.com
Friday, November 13, 2009
MEMBER of Parliament Dr St Aubyn Bartlett suggested Wednesday that there be a 'tightening' of the selection methods for national honours, especially that of the Order of Jamaica, which goes with the title Honourable.
BARTLETT. wants recipients of national awards to toe the line
Bartlett, who was attending Wednesday's meeting of Parliament's Human Resource and Social Development Committee at Gordon House, complained that at least one recipient of the Order of Jamaica - the nation's fourth highest honour - be stripped of the OJ because of what he claimed has been a "dishonour" to the award.
However, he did not name the individual nor the year in which the award was given.
".I won't call the name, I won't go there to call the name. But I am really, I am convinced that that particular person should be stripped of the honour, and that person should never be referred to as honourable in this country anymore," he said.
Added Bartlett: "I think that dishonouring of an honour should be dealt with swiftly and quickly. I think that individuals who are given honours, and who overtime do something that dishonour the office, that there should be no hesitation in stripping them of that honour," the Government MP told the House committee.
The committee, which adopted the Nettleford Committee Report, which was asked by Prime Minister Bruce Golding to examine the system of national honours and awards, insisted that Wednesday's deliberation be included before the report is tabled in Parliament.
Bartlett, who had the support of fellow committee members, said individuals selected for national awards should be told on appointment "what type of behaviour" could have them stripped.
Opposition member Natalie Neita-Headley suggested that the committee examine how recipients of the honours stay within the mandate of what was expected.
"I think it is a critical point, which should be discussed about persons dishonouring the award years later. I wonder if it is not something that should form part of our recommendations, or mandate.," Neita-Headley said.
National awards recipients, she said, should maintain a certain lifestyle to be able to keep that award.
Committee member Tarn Peralto (Government), meanwhile, said persons recommended for national awards should be informed of the standards expected before final selection.
Added Bartlett: "And if we are going to get into situations where there are going to be doubts as to whether or not someone is being honoured maybe too early, with the possibility of them dishonouring it, all of those should be taken into consideration."
Committee members also called for a standard criteria for national honours to be established at the local level and extended to the national levels.
BY ERICA VIRTUE Observer writer virtuee@jamaicaobserver.com
Friday, November 13, 2009
MEMBER of Parliament Dr St Aubyn Bartlett suggested Wednesday that there be a 'tightening' of the selection methods for national honours, especially that of the Order of Jamaica, which goes with the title Honourable.
BARTLETT. wants recipients of national awards to toe the line Bartlett, who was attending Wednesday's meeting of Parliament's Human Resource and Social Development Committee at Gordon House, complained that at least one recipient of the Order of Jamaica - the nation's fourth highest honour - be stripped of the OJ because of what he claimed has been a "dishonour" to the award.
However, he did not name the individual nor the year in which the award was given.
".I won't call the name, I won't go there to call the name. But I am really, I am convinced that that particular person should be stripped of the honour, and that person should never be referred to as honourable in this country anymore," he said.
Added Bartlett: "I think that dishonouring of an honour should be dealt with swiftly and quickly. I think that individuals who are given honours, and who overtime do something that dishonour the office, that there should be no hesitation in stripping them of that honour," the Government MP told the House committee.
The committee, which adopted the Nettleford Committee Report, which was asked by Prime Minister Bruce Golding to examine the system of national honours and awards, insisted that Wednesday's deliberation be included before the report is tabled in Parliament.
Bartlett, who had the support of fellow committee members, said individuals selected for national awards should be told on appointment "what type of behaviour" could have them stripped.
Opposition member Natalie Neita-Headley suggested that the committee examine how recipients of the honours stay within the mandate of what was expected.
"I think it is a critical point, which should be discussed about persons dishonouring the award years later. I wonder if it is not something that should form part of our recommendations, or mandate.," Neita-Headley said.
National awards recipients, she said, should maintain a certain lifestyle to be able to keep that award.
Committee member Tarn Peralto (Government), meanwhile, said persons recommended for national awards should be informed of the standards expected before final selection.
Added Bartlett: "And if we are going to get into situations where there are going to be doubts as to whether or not someone is being honoured maybe too early, with the possibility of them dishonouring it, all of those should be taken into consideration."
Committee members also called for a standard criteria for national honours to be established at the local level and extended to the national levels.