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Published: Wednesday | May 20, 2009
Daraine Luton, Staff Reporter
THE FAILURE of the Government to begin the 2009-2010 Sectoral Debate, as scheduled in the House of Representatives, yesterday triggered a walkout by the People's National Party (PNP). "The Opposition really cannot continue to function in this atmosphere of uncertainty," Derrick Kellier, the leader of opposition business
, said before the walkout.
Prior to the Opposition's protest, Speaker of the House Delroy Chuck demanded an explanation for the debate not beginning as scheduled.
"Up to this morning, or certainly within the last 24 hours, I was under the impression that the Sectoral Debate was to begin ... an explanation is needed from the Government," Chuck said.
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett was due to open the debate yesterday and East Kingston and Port Royal MP Phillip Paulwell was to speak for the Opposition.
Earliest possible date
However, Prime Minister Bruce Golding indicated that the earliest possible date for the start of the debate would be June 2. Kellier contended that Paulwell, who was not present for the sitting of the House, was prepared for the debate.
Kellier described as "untidy, the way in which the Government is proceeding to conduct the business of the House".
He added that "the Government has been failing to honour its obligations with regard to the scheduling ... the Opposition cannot sit idly by and watch this kind of patch-patch operation continue."
Golding told the House that the break in the schedule was for Labour Day activities next week and the fact that there was a pressing loan guarantee for Parliament to approve necessitated the rescheduling of the debate.
Labour Day will be celebrated on Monday while the Cabinet will meet on Tuesday, which is when Parliament usually sits.
daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com
http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/glean...ead/lead3.html
Daraine Luton, Staff Reporter
THE FAILURE of the Government to begin the 2009-2010 Sectoral Debate, as scheduled in the House of Representatives, yesterday triggered a walkout by the People's National Party (PNP). "The Opposition really cannot continue to function in this atmosphere of uncertainty," Derrick Kellier, the leader of opposition business
, said before the walkout.
Prior to the Opposition's protest, Speaker of the House Delroy Chuck demanded an explanation for the debate not beginning as scheduled.
"Up to this morning, or certainly within the last 24 hours, I was under the impression that the Sectoral Debate was to begin ... an explanation is needed from the Government," Chuck said.
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett was due to open the debate yesterday and East Kingston and Port Royal MP Phillip Paulwell was to speak for the Opposition.
Earliest possible date
However, Prime Minister Bruce Golding indicated that the earliest possible date for the start of the debate would be June 2. Kellier contended that Paulwell, who was not present for the sitting of the House, was prepared for the debate.
Kellier described as "untidy, the way in which the Government is proceeding to conduct the business of the House".
He added that "the Government has been failing to honour its obligations with regard to the scheduling ... the Opposition cannot sit idly by and watch this kind of patch-patch operation continue."
Golding told the House that the break in the schedule was for Labour Day activities next week and the fact that there was a pressing loan guarantee for Parliament to approve necessitated the rescheduling of the debate.
Labour Day will be celebrated on Monday while the Cabinet will meet on Tuesday, which is when Parliament usually sits.
daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com
http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/glean...ead/lead3.html
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