1. Mr Speaker, I am pleased to announce that the Ministry of Justice has been implementing the National Child Diversion Programme in furtherance of the Child Diversion Act (the Act), which was enacted in 2018 and came into effect in 2019. 2. Mr Speaker, “Child Diversion” is the process of implementing measures for dealing with children, alleged as, accused of,...

Mr. Speaker, the last six months have seen a major transformation in the world. It is a transformation so dramatic that even now, countries are struggling to define what the new normal will look like, as they adjust to the changes brought on by COVID-19. To define that new normal, we must answer the following questions: - ‘What is our...

Theme: A Road Map to Sustainable Agricultural Production & Food Security INTRODUCTORY REMARKS Mr Speaker, I am very pleased this afternoon to address this Honourable House on the subject that is nearest and dearest to my heart – Agriculture. Mr Speaker, I wish to immediately reiterate my own commitment as well as the commitment of the Government to sustainably transform...

INTRODUCTION Mr. Speaker, I wish to dedicate this sectoral presentation to the hardworking, devoted and uncompromising members of Jamaica’s security force. In recognition of their tireless and committed service to Jamaica, I will be utilizing my presentation this afternoon to call the attention of the Jamaican people to the reality that faces these officers every day. I will also be...

Mr Speaker, I feel especially privileged to report the achievements of the Justice Ministry as well as to present our plans for even more achievements and improvements. I am particularly privileged to appear in this Honourable House on behalf of the Constituents of North East St. Andrew and will continue to serve them diligently and steadfastly. I express my heartfelt...

Looking Ahead – Sustainable Growth in the “New Normal” INTRODUCTION M r. Speaker, I rise to make my sectoral contribution to this Honourable House with a feeling of optimism, in spite of all that we have endured recently as a nation and a people due to the Novel Coronavirus, COVID 19. I am cognizant that Jamaica and indeed the entire...

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS Mr. Speaker, I am sure that we will all agree that the year 2020 will be etched in our individual and collective memory as a historic experience of monumental and unprecedented proportions. Indeed, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has placed us front and centre in confronting our strengths, our weaknesses, threats and opportunities, not just as individuals,...