More Speeches

As Minister with Responsibility for Women's Affairs, I am particularly pleased that the theme chosen by the United Nations for World Tourism Day this year "Tourism opens doors for women" - recognizes the important contribution of women in the tourism sector. Women have played an integral role in the tourism industry throughout its long and distinguished history and have undoubtedly...

Prime Minister, Bruce Golding has called for amendments to the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives, so as to allow Members of Parliament (MPs) who are not Ministers, to make statements during sittings. The Prime Minister, who was speaking during yesterday's (Sept. 27) opening of the new session of Parliament and swearing-in of the Senate and House of Representatives...

The Cabinet that I have chosen has been very carefully structured and in my judgment it is what is necessary, it is what is appropriate for the challenges that face us at this time. There have been some comments about the size of the Cabinet. We have in fact increased the number of Ministries from 14 to 15, and to...

Today the voters of Jamaica went to the polls to choose the 60 representatives from whom the next government will be formed. However perplexing some may find the results, the fact is, the people have spoken and we of the Jamaica Labour Party, accept and respect the decision of the people of Jamaica. The result of the election as indicated...

I have advised His Excellency the Governor General, in accordance with the decision of the Cabinet and under the provisions of Section 20(1) (C) of the Representation of the People Act that the date for the holding of the poll in the General Elections which had been previously set for August 27th should be vacated and the date September 3,...

A number of comments have been made in the media, including Page One editorials in the press today (Tuesday, August 20) with respect to the Proclamation of the State of Emergency in the wake of the passage of Hurricane Dean on Sunday. These are either incorrect or based on a misunderstanding of what the Proclamation is intended to achieve and...

We are all aware that Hurricane Dean has severely affected Jamaica, where the safety of the public is likely to be endangered and the various communities within Jamaica may be deprived of supplies and services that are essential to life. We are also aware that unfortunately, during and after past natural disasters, there have been widespread attempts at looting and...

Jamaica has secured Tier 2 ranking in the 7th Annual Trafficking in Persons Report produced by the United States' State Department. The latest assessment is an improvement on the Tier 2 Watch List ranking, and is a testament to the significant effort being made by the country to meet the international standards that are required to effectively combat human trafficking....

In light of the announcement made today by the Jamaica Constabulary Force, confirming that Bob Woolmer did in fact die of natural causes, we sincerely hope this will now cause speculation to cease and provide an opportunity for his family, friends and former colleagues to continue the healing process. The fact of his death is no less tragic and the...

From the outset of the Bob Woolmer investigation, which started on March 18, when the former Pakistani Cricket coach was found in his hotel room and officially pronounced dead at the University Hospital of the West Indies, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) adopted a policy of being open, transparent and forthright in providing information to the point where some have...

Mr. Speaker, colleagues of this Honourable House, in making my contribution to the sectoral debate I speak of a revolution in Jamaica. I speak of revolution because I can find no other word to describe the process that has generated the most dramatic, the most fundamental and the most profound development that has occurred in our country's modern history. Mr....

Reports appeared in Jamaican and UK newspapers on Sunday May 13, 2007 concerning the investigation into the death of Bob Woolmer with further speculation that he died from natural causes. The JCF is conducting an extensive and thoroughly professional investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Bob Woolmer. This has included a request to the Commissioner of Police of...