INTRODUCTION Mr. Speaker, my presentation this afternoon, to this Honourable House, is set within the context of the challenges being faced within the shelter sector and the policies and programmes that this Government is pursuing or is seeking to pursue to bring about meaningful improvements. Mr. Speaker, a new study by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) entitled "Room for Development:...

Mr. Speaker, I am extremely pleased to rise to make my contribution to the Sectoral Debate, which will be my first in the capacity of Minister of Tourism and Entertainment. I would like to thank the Most Honourable Prime Minister for the confidence she has reposed in me by assigning me this important portfolio responsibility. Congratulations to the Speaker, Clerk...

Mr. Speaker there is a lot for me to be thankful for in this 50th year of our Independence. I thank Almighty God for the gift of life and his many blessings. I thank the People's National Party, this great Party whose policies and whose philosophy, like my own, put people first.  I thank the great citizens of South East...

I have taken note of a statement issued by Dr. Horace Chang, Opposition Spokesman on Housing, Water, Environment and Climate Change. Dr Chang’s statement is misleading, mischievous, unfounded and has no basis in truth. Immediately after the Government became aware of the incident, the Government put into gear, its emergency response over a matter that is the subject of intensive...

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ·         The Almighty, for His Grace and Mercy toward me ·         My Family ·         The Most Honourable Prime Minister, Mrs. Portia Simpson-Miller for her leadership and confidence in my capability to lead this portfolio ·         Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Andrew Holness, MP ·         Parliamentary colleagues for their support and encouragement ·         My Minister of State, Hon. Colin Fagan,...

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure and a sense of humility that I rise in this honourable House today to make my contribution to the sectoral debate – my very first as Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce. It is made more special since the opportunity comes in the year when our nation celebrates its first 50 years of...

A:      INTRODUCTION 1. This is my 19th year as a Member of Parliament.  Have participated in every Budget Debate since my election to Parliament, either as Minister of Finance and Planning, or as Opposition Spokesman. However, first time speaking in Sectoral Debate. 2. Honoured to have been asked to open and close this Debate.  Sincerely hope that members on both...

INTRODUCTION Mr. Speaker, we have come to the end of our budget process which began on May 10th with the presentation of the Estimates of Expenditure. Let me thank all who contributed to the Debate which I opened on May 24th, 2012. This budget process has been predictably difficult coming as it does at this time of crisis. We have...

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, says he will be addressing concerns regarding the country’s trade deficit with the rest of CARICOM, during his upcoming Sectoral presentation in the House of Representatives. Speaking at the launch of the Jamaica Exporters’ Association's (JEA) National Exporters’ Month on June 4th at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, Minister...

Leader of the Opposition, Andrew Holness, is urging the government to begin implementation of the tax reform measures. Mr. Holness, who was making his contribution to the 2012/13 Budget Debate Thursday May 31 in the House of Representatives, said that tax reform is necessary to increase compliance and broaden the tax base. “In the context of Jamaica, tax reform must...

In 2003, the first International Day of United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers was observed globally on May 29. Since then, the world has paid tribute to these men and women who have bravely served in some of the most hostile conditions, in order to restore an element of normalcy to the lives of the hundreds of thousands who are forced to...