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...

Honourable Members: Almost fifty years ago, this great nation officially came into being, born out of the vision and heroic efforts of generations of illustrious forefathers and foremothers. Fittingly, the year’s activities will be highlighted by the commemoration of this historic 50thAnniversary of our political Independence. The journey from 1962 has been eventful and challenging,as well as rewarding. We have...

Mr Speaker, today I update the House on matters related to the just concluded CONCACAF Under 17 football championship which was staged in Montego Bay, St. James. I am sure the whole House will join me in congratulating the Jamaican team which advanced to FIFA Under 17 World Cup Finals in Mexico later this year by finishing as one of...

Mr. Speaker, The Ministry of Health wishes to apprise the Parliament of the Health measures implemented for the CONCACAF U-17 tournament and in particular the circumstances that led to the withdrawal of the Haitian under-17 football team from the CONCACAF tournament being staged in Montego Bay. This culminated in a meeting of Haitian Officials led by the Deputy Prime Minister...

Further to my statement to this House last Tuesday, the Governor-General has today been advised to appoint a Commission of Enquiry to enquire into and report on the issues relating to the extradition request for Christopher Coke by the Government of the United States of America, the manner and procedure in which the said extradition request was handled by the...

IntroductionMr Speaker, one of the most pressing issues facing our beloved nation today is the need to find solutions to our energy crisis, starting with the implementation of our National Energy Policy. Let me from the outset indicate that this Administration is committed to affording our nation the prospect of cheaper and more environmentally friendly sources of energy. Additionally, energy...

Torrential rains and other adverse weather conditions associated with Tropical Depression No. 16 which later became Tropical Storm Nicole impacted the island of Jamaica from 26-29 September 2010. The event produced bands of showers and thunderstorms over most of the island but more so to the southern, south eastern and western ends of the island. The tropical system resulted in...

Mr. Speaker: I feel privileged to be a Member of this Honourable House and to be part of the effort to chart the future of this blessed country. Constituency of South East Clarendon Firstly, I wish to thank the constituents of South East Clarendon who have demonstrated their trust and confidence in me to represent their interest in the Parliament....

THANKS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Approaching three years into my stewardship of the Transport and Works portfolios, I am happy to be now delivering the kind of strategic applications that are geared at modernising all portfolio areas. This first phase of delivery has come out of in-depth analysis of the pluses and minuses of the systems that were inherited in September 2007,...