Mr. Speaker and Members of this Honourable House, It is indeed a pleasure to be standing here once again and to be privileged to be a part of the 2009/2010 Sectoral Debate. You will recall that over the last twenty two (22) months I was the subject of a court case regarding my legitimacy in the House. I stand here...

1.0 The Historical Context of AccessThe historical underpinnings of education in Jamaica, from slavery through to emancipation, through de-colonization, self-rule and finally independence; to the establishment of the Ministry of Education and the Education Act of 1965, to the New Deal in Education 1966, the 70:30 policy for reserving secondary places for public primary schools, the compulsory attendance policy, the...

Mr. Speaker,1. The intensification of the global financial crisis since September has underscored Jamaica's vulnerability to changes in the external economic environment. The country faces an up-hill challenge if it is to maintain domestic stability in FY 2009/10 and restore the conditions that can support recovery and sustainable growth into the medium-term. 2. The recession in the global economy is...

Mr. Speaker:I am honoured to once again stand in this Honourable House to report on the performance of the health sector over the last financial year and to share with the people of Jamaica some of the priority areas for this current financial year. First of all, I would like to thank my Constituents who gave me the mandate to...

I note with concern the statements made by both the Opposition Spokesman on Finance and the Leader of the Opposition, with regards to the recent Government Of Jamaica Team's visit to the International Monetary Fund(IMF) in Washington; and consider them to be mischievous and full of cheap political opportunism Here are the facts: 1. Last week Tuesday I informed Parliament...

Mr. Speaker, it is indeed a humbling experience as I rise to speak in this Honourable House not only as a second term Member of Parliament, and first time Cabinet Minister, but at a time when the people of Jamaica have embraced and voted for change, ability and performance. They have voted for a team committed to, and leading the...

Mr. Speaker, permit me to begin my presentation this afternoon by expressing again my gratitude to the Honourable Prime Minister for his continuing confidence in me and for allowing me to serve my country in the capacity of Minister of Tourism. I thank my Cabinet colleagues for their support. I especially thank those Ministries with which I collaborate on issues...

This honourable House will recall that on June 11, 2009, the World Health Organisation declared Phase 6 of its influenza pandemic alert, signaling that the world was at the start of the 2009 influenza pandemic. Phase 6 means that sustained community transmission of the new Influenza A(H1N1) virus is occurring in more than one (1) WHO Region and that a...

Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to be addressing you on the occasion of the very first Caribbean Regional Conference of the International Telecommunications Society. Some of the best minds in our region will contend with the challenges and the unparalleled opportunities for development, which fast pace innovations in the ICTs have offered up. On behalf of the government, I...

June 14 is observed annually as World Blood Donor Day, a day in which we recognize the efforts of those voluntary donors who have helped to save the lives of millions across the world, with the gift of blood. On World Blood Donor Day, we also seek to heighten awareness of the need for safe blood transfusion and to highlight...

Discussions have been taking place in relation to Nationwide News Network (NNN) and the test broadcasting being carried out within the FM 90 frequency assigned to the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica. By now interested parties should be aware that in keeping with the Broadcasting Commission's recommendations, Nationwide News Network is to be granted a Public Service Broadcasting Radio Licence...