Mr. Speaker, we have come to the end of our budget process which began on the 4th of April, 2013 with the presentation of the Estimates of Expenditure. Let me thank the Members of this Honourable House who have made contributions in the Standing Finance Committee and to the Debate which I opened on April 18th, 2013. Mr. Speaker, Members...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, has announced plans for the establishment of a Cultural and Creative Industries Commission, which will oversee development of Jamaica’s Cultural and Creative Industries Policy and Master Plan. She said this will be undertaken in consultation with key stakeholders in efforts to promote the growth and development of those industries, thereby enabling the...

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, distinguished Members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps, Members of International Organisations, Fellow Jamaicans. I thank the Almighty, for his love and kindness towards me. I pray that he will continue to guide my path and bless our nation. I pause at the beginning of this presentation to express my gratitude to my enabling team at...

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the motion in this 2013/2014 Budget Debate, truly a critical point for our country, our economy and the well being of our people. Over the past 15 months, as we negotiated this new crucial IMF Extended Fund Agreement from the ru­ins of the failed Stand-by Agreement, we have had to face many harsh...

It was a matter of record that although the Cornwall Regional Hospital was completed under a People’s National Party government, however, the real paternity for the idea must rest with the former public servant, former Member of Parliament and former Minister of Health, Dr. Herbert Eldemire. The notion that the Cornwall Regional Hospital should be named after the late public...

The Ministry of Health is aware of strong public sentiment following recent reports of high bacterial load on samples of at least four (4) brands of household toilet tissue. We take even more interest in this matter as indications are that the Bureau of Standards’ (BSJ) testing of several brands was prompted by reports of gynaecological incidents. The test results...

Honourable Members: The annual Ceremonial Opening of Parliament provides us as a nation with the opportunity to reflect on the year that has passed so that we can reset our governance compass and recalibrate our efforts in order to address the challenges and grasp the opportunities that are presented. Optimism About Our Country’s Future The Legislative Year we have just...

Ladies and Gentlemen,  the Honourable Prime Minister disignated as her reprsentative at the launch this evening.   The Prime Minister  and by extension the Government of Jamaica believe the status of women and Gender is a critical component of our drive to achieve the Vision 2030 Goal to “Make Jamaica the place of Choice, to Live, Work and Raise Families and...