Background and Context: 1. Madam speaker – for the sixth consecutive year, I rise to make my contribution to these Sectoral Debates, as the Attorney-General of Jamaica. I am grateful for a suspension of the Standing Orders to enable me to speak during the time allotted. (See Standing Orders 34A and 86). 2. I reiterate what I pointed out in...

CONDITIONAL CASH TRANSFER FOR THE VACCINATED Madam Speaker, in March, 2020 after the first case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in Jamaica, this Government moved swiftly to build a programme to mitigate the impact of the pandemic and that of the necessary measures to combat the pandemic. The Government, through a multi-agency team, led by the Ministry of Finance and the...

Madam Speaker, we have been taught that it’s when we are going through trials and tribulations that we must  especially give thanks. And so in the midst of our challenges, let us continue to give God thanks. I think of 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”...

Madame Speaker, I give my full support to Jamaica becoming a member of the Madrid Protocol and to the proposals in the Trade Marks Amendment Act, 2021 which are before us today.   The proposed amendments to the Trade Marks Act, not only enable Jamaica to accede and acknowledge accession to the Madrid Protocol in law, but we are also...

Madam Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to speak here today, particularly as this makes my 10th year speaking in this debate. I cannot continue without first thanking the Almighty, from whom all blessings flow. Without His strength and guidance, I would not be here. Thanks to our Prime Minister, The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, for the confidence he...

Madam Speaker, This is my first sectoral presentation as Minister of National Security for the new term of office. It comes in the middle of the COVID-19 public health pandemic, which, when added to the chronic epidemic of violence in our society, signals that the country is going through two major crises at this time. This novel coronavirus has derailed...

LABOUR DAY SLOGAN: "STAY HOME.  STAY SAFE.  CLEAN UP YU SPACE"   Fellow Jamaicans, Workers' Week and Labour Day 2021 find us still in the grip of the pandemic.  Consequently, the overall theme – Safeguarding our Labour Force amid COVID-19 – is particularly relevant.   In July 2020, almost 5 months after our first coronavirus case, employment fell by an...