Salutations: Drought Conditions As you are aware, Jamaica has been facing drought conditions for the past 3-4 months. We have been seeing the effects of this both on the ground and in the media. We have witnessed not only the impact of the loss due to the lack of rainfall but also the forest and farm fires which have resulted...

Mr. Speaker, it is said that “Disability is a matter of perception”; and I wish to begin my presentation this afternoon by declaring that I agree wholeheartedly with this sentiment. For this reason, Mr. Speaker, I have the greatest and distinct pleasure of being able to stand here this afternoon, in this Parliament, in the land of my birth, to...

My fellow Jamaicans…Good Evening. Two weeks ago, I made a statement in Parliament outlining the serious situation in regard to our water supplies across the country.  Since that time, the situation has deteriorated considerably in several areas of the island. The fact is that inflows into a number of water supply systems are now well below normal. Additionally, rainfall that...

Howard Felix Hanlan Cooke has ended his earthly sojourn to enter the heavenly realm. There are only a very select few who have managed in their lifetime to change the course of our history and served to define so clearly the essence of a patriotic mission. He was a brilliant student whose pedagogic skills made him one of our most...

It is with profound sadness that I have learned of the death of one of Jamaica’s most illustrious sons and one of our gentlest souls, Sir Howard Cooke. It is impossible to overemphasize his contribution to this nation, which he served with utmost distinction, passion and selflessness. Ever since he became involved in public life in that pivotal year of...

The Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding on behalf of the Ministry and by extension the Government of Jamaica, expresses sadness at passing of Dennis Daly Q.C. A pioneer in the pursuit of Human Rights, Mr. Daly was one of the founding members of the Jamaican Council for Human Rights as well as a former vice-chairman of the...

Mr. Speaker, the Sectoral Debate 2014/2015 has come to an end and the many hours of thoughtful and insightful presentations from members of both sides of this Honourable House will serve us well going forward. Indeed, Mr. Speaker, although this is not unique to this year’s debate, the common thread that runs through this year’s presentations appears stronger. This augers...