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The Senate has approved a Bill protecting the Child Development Agency (CDA) and its employees from any action flowing from a 2005 blunder, in which the Child Care and Protection (Children's Homes) Regulations were gazetted before being approved by Parliament. The Bill effectively validated and confirmed acts done "in good faith" by the CDA and any person having official duties...

Cabinet has approved additional amendments to the Financial Audit and Administration Act (FAAA) and the Public Bodies Management and Accountability Act. Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunication and Special Projects in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Daryl Vaz "The existing Acts outline the broad parameters for achieving fiscal responsibility and fiscal prudence, and the proposed amendments will strengthen...

Cabinet has approved the revised Benefit Review Mechanism for use in the Programme for Advancement through Health and Education (PATH). This was disclosed by Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunication and Special Projects in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Daryl Vaz, during a Post Cabinet press briefing on July 15 at Jamaica House. Mr. Vaz said that the...

The House of Representatives on Tuesday, July 13 approved the National Insurance (Increase in Benefits) Order 2010, and the National Insurance (Increase in Benefits) Resolution 2010, to validate the increase in National Insurance Scheme (NIS) benefits, which became effective on July 1. Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles, said that the increases would provide further benefits to...

Cabinet has approved a contract in the amount of CAN$19.9 million to Intelcan Technosystems Inc. for the design, construction and equipping of two control towers for the Norman Manley and Sangster International airports. Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunication and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz (right), addressing journalists at the weekly post Cabinet press briefing, held on July 15, at...

Members Parliament paid tribute to former People's National Party (PNP) Minister of Agriculture, Public Utilities, Mining and Energy, and Water and Transport, Horace Clarke, on Tuesday July 13. They described him as a dedicated politician, who served his constituencies (Northern, West Central and Central St. Mary), between 1972 and 2002, and his country, admirably. Opposition Leader, the Most Hon. Portia...

The Senate has passed the six anti-crime Bills, first brought to Parliament in 2008 by the Government to support its efforts to reduce crime and violence in the country. Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte The Bills are: an Act to amend the Bail Act; an Act to...

Cabinet has approved an adjustment in the contract sum for civil works to the main dock at Petrojam Limited in Kingston, to repair severe damage to the facility resulting from a ship crash last year. The value of the contract, awarded to Diving and Salvaging Limited, will move from $99 million (inclusive of a 15 per cent contingency) to $137.7...

Cabinet has approved the issuing of drafting instructions to the Chief Parliamentary Counsel for an amendment of the Criminal Justice (Plea Negotiations and Agreements) Act. Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz Addressing Wednesday's (June 30) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, said...

An Opposition Motion seeking to censure Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Senator Dorothy Lightbourne, for her actions during the process of the extradition of Christopher Coke was easily defeated in the Senate Friday (July 2). Attorney General and Minister of Justice, the Hon Dorothy Lightbourne The Motion, brought by Opposition Senator, Sandrea Falconer, was defeated by a count of...

Small, Micro and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) are set to benefit from additional capital support from the Government of Jamaica. The House of Representatives, on Tuesday (June 29), approved a Government guarantee for a loan totalling $150 million from the Development Bank of Jamaica to the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) for on lending to the SME sector. Minister of Finance...

The House of Representatives has finally approved an amendment to the Jury Act to allow for majority verdicts, of no less than nine to three among a 12-man jury, in non-capital murder cases. Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, who opened debate on the Bill on Tuesday (June 15) and closed the debate Tuesday (June 29) prior to its approval...