The 2010/11 session of Parliament got underway today (March 25), at Gordon House, highlighted by the delivery of the Throne Speech by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Dr. Patrick Allen. This year the large crowd of well-wishers who traditionally lined Duke Street to view the proceedings, and offer sporadic cheers, was not present due to the area being categorised...

As we begin this new session of Parliament, we reflect on the legislative year just ended with cautious relief and renewed hope. It was a year in which the global crisis continued to bear down heavily on the economy. As the economy contracted, revenues fell below what was required to meet essential government expenditure. Despite exerting tight restraint on expenditure,...

Each year, World Water Day draws attention to the need to manage our water sources and supplies. This year's theme "Clean Water, Healthy World" speaks to the link between safe supplies of clean water, and the physical, and economic health of individuals and nations. At its foundation is the recognition that access to safe drinking water is a vital element...

"Further to my statement in Parliament on Tuesday, I have made investigations to ascertain whether the government has had any connection with the US law firm, Manatt, Phelps and Phillips. I am advised that in December while on a flight to Washington DC for a meeting with the US State and Justice Departments, the Solicitor-General was approached by Mr. Harold...

The Government has taken note of the US Narcotics Control Strategy Report of March 2010. The report, while acknowledging that cooperation between Jamaican and US law enforcement agencies remain strong, reflects negatively on the effectiveness of our efforts to combat organized crime, drug trafficking and corruption as well as the delays in enacting legislation to strengthen these efforts. The report...

The report of the Commission of Enquiry into the tragedy that occurred at the Armadale Juvenile Correctional Centre on May 22, 2009 is being tabled in the House today. The sole Commissioner, retired President of the Court of Appeal, Mr. Justice Paul Harrison, found negligence on the part of the State and dereliction of duty, administrative errors, unlawful conduct and...

Shortly after taking office, the Government announced the decision to divest Air Jamaica. This decision was consistent with a commitment stated in our Manifesto as part of necessary measures to relieve the taxpayers of the burden of loss-making state-owned enterprises that were not considered part of the core functions of government. Since its inception in 1969, Air Jamaica has accumulated...

'I am deeply saddened at the news, just received, of the passing of Vice Chancellor Emeritus of the University of the West Indies, Professor Rex Nettleford O.M. Jamaica and the entire world have lost an intellectual and creative genius, a man whose contribution to shaping and projecting the cultural landscape of the entire Caribbean region is unquestionable. Rex Nettleford was...

"I mourn the passing yesterday of the Most Reverend and Honourable Lawrence Burke, Archbishop Emeritus of Kingston. I honour his tireless dedication to the field of education as a teacher, principal and advocate. A true educator, the Most Rev. Burke used his priestly profession and calling to strengthen the quality of education and increase the number of places in Roman...

Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects in the Office of the Prime Minister Hon. Daryl Vaz, has confirmed that Leighton Thomas has been relieved of his duties as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica (PBCJ). The termination was effective January 4, 2010 following investigations which confirmed that there were breaches of Government...

Jamaica, as, indeed, people throughout the world, were horrified by the terrible tragedy that befell the people of Haiti following the massive earthquake last Tuesday. Television coverage of the aftermath, the collapsed buildings, the dead bodies lying amidst the rubble, the frantic efforts to reach those still trapped beneath tons of concrete, the agony on the faces of the thousands...