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Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Patrick Allen (right), congratulates new Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Marsha Smith, as he presents her with the Instrument of Appointment during Monday’s (September 14) swearing-in ceremony at King’s House.

New Junior Ministers ready to serve

Three Ministers of State, who will be serving in that capacity for the first time, have declared their readiness to undertake their duties. They are Hon. Marsha Smith, who has been appointed to the Ministry of Finance and the Public...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (front row, centre) is flanked by Ministers of State following Monday's (September 14) swearing-in ceremony at King’s House.

Ministers of State sworn into office

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen (front, second right) and Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (front, second left) are flanked by Ministers of Government, following the swearing-in ceremony at King’s House on September 13.

Ministers and Attorney-General Take Oath of Office

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (centre), with the four newly appointed Ministers of Government at a swearing-in ceremony at King’s House in St. Andrew, on September 7. They are (from left) Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke; Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith; Minister of National Security, and Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang; and Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton.

Four Ministers sworn in

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Pearnel Charles (right), presents a copy of his book - ‘The Politics of Power’ - to newly-appointed Executive Director of the Integrity Commission, Mr. Greg Christie, during his courtesy call on the Speaker on Tuesday (June 16). The Integrity Commission is one of the six Commissions of Parliament.

PHOTO: House Speaker Meets with Integrity Commission Executive Director

6 years ago CoronavirusParliament

Parliament reopens offices

The Houses of Parliament wishes to advise the public that its offices have reopened following an intensive cleaning exercise. The sanitisation was undertaken in light of the positive Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) diagnosis of the Political Ombudsman whose office interacts closely with parliamentary personnel. The Houses of Parliament wishes to remind the public that tours of the Parliament have...

6 years ago Parliament

The Dissolution of Parliament

The Parliament will be dissolved on Thursday, August 13, 2020. Below are some ‘Facts about Dissolution’ to help to explain what this means for Parliamentary activities. FACTS ABOUT THE DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT Dissolution refers to the official end of a Parliamentary term. Although the Parliament has been dissolved, the Prime Minister and other Ministers and the Leader of the Opposition...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, highlights a point while making his contribution to the debate on the First Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure during the sitting of the House of Representatives on Wednesday (June 10).

6 years ago Finance & Public ServiceParliamentSport

Horse Racing Returns To Caymanas Park Saturday

Horse racing will resume at Caymanas Park on Saturday, June 20, following consultation with the Ministry of Health and Wellness. This was announced by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, during his contribution to the debate on the First Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for 2020/21 during the sitting of the House of Representatives on...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, speaks in the House of Representatives, on Wednesday (May 27).

6 years ago Finance & Public ServiceParliament

House Gives More Time To Achieve Debt To GDP Target

The House of Representatives on Wednesday (May 27), approved amendments to the Financial Audit and Administration (FAA) Act to postpone Jamaica’s target of reducing debt to gross domestic product (GDP) to 60 per cent, by two years. The legislation will facilitate the extension of the timeline from March 31, 2026 to March 31, 2028. In his address, Minister of Finance...

Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Hon. Fayval Williams, closes the debate on the Data Protection Act in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (May 19).

6 years ago ParliamentTechnology

House Passes Data Protection Bill

The Data Protection Act, which will enshrine, in law, measures to protect the privacy and personal information of Jamaicans, was passed in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (May 19). The Bill seeks to define the general principles for the treatment of personal data and provide for transparent oversight that will enable the public and private sectors to strengthen the...

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon Christopher Tufton, addresses the the House of Representatives on Tuesday (May 19).

6 years ago CoronavirusHealth & WellnessParliament

Discussions Under Way On Return To Work Protocols

The Ministry of Health and Wellness is in discussions with the private sector to ensure that the most appropriate protocols for the return to work arrangement can be put in place. Portfolio Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, said organisations such as the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) and...

Leader of Government Business in the Upper House and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, explains a matter while addressing Friday’s (May 15) sitting of the Senate. She was closing the debate on two companion Bills aimed at reforming the country’s land titling system. They are the Registration of Titles Cadastral Mapping and Tenure Clarification (Special Provisions) (Amendment) Act, 2020, which was passed with 12 amendments; and the Registration of Titles (Amendment) Act, 2020, which was approved with four changes.

6 years ago Parliament

Bills Aimed At Revolutionising The Country’s Land-Titling System Passed

Two companion Bills, aimed at revolutionising the country’s land-titling system and allowing eligible persons occupying family lands to receive titles, have been approved by the Senate. During Friday’s (May 15) sitting, the Bills: the Registration of Titles Cadastral Mapping and Tenure Clarification (Special Provisions) (Amendment) Act, 2020 (SPA), was passed with 12 amendments; and the Registration of Titles (Amendment) Act,...