More Speeches

The Ministry of Education welcomes the opportunity to join all Jamaicans in recognizing the sterling service that our nation’s teachers have rendered to the growth and development of our society. We salute and pay tribute to the members of this noble profession, for their contribution in moulding minds and educating people to fully achieve their developmental potential. Teachers, along with...

Mr. Speaker, it is a great honour and privilege for me to address this Parliament, in a budget debate as Prime Minister once again. For this, I owe a great debt of gratitude to the people of Jamaica for their vote of confidence in me and in the team that I lead.   It is with deep humility and a...

This year, in the midst of the economic hardships, public chastisements and threats of violence, we seek to observe May 5-11, 2013 as Education Week, under the theme, Advancing the Nation’s Human Capital through Education. Education Week is packed with activities geared at enhancing the cause of education and teachers as they struggle to educate Jamaican children and youth so...

I commend the Jamaica Teachers’ Association for devoting May 5 – 11, 2013, for the observation of Education Week, under the theme, “Advancing the Nation’s Human Capital through Education”. Education week is an opportunity to celebrate the important role that education plays in building our society. The Government reaffirms and emphasizes the role of education in empowering and developing the...

On World Press Freedom Day, I salute all our hard-working and diligent journalists, who have been ensuring that the Jamaican people have access to information, which is critical to their functioning in a democracy. As we observe the specially designated day by UNESCO, which this year has the theme: “Safe to Speak: Securing Freedom of Expression in all Media,” we...

Mr. Speaker, we have come to the end of our budget process which began on the 4th of April, 2013 with the presentation of the Estimates of Expenditure. Let me thank the Members of this Honourable House who have made contributions in the Standing Finance Committee and to the Debate which I opened on April 18th, 2013. Mr. Speaker, Members...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, has announced plans for the establishment of a Cultural and Creative Industries Commission, which will oversee development of Jamaica’s Cultural and Creative Industries Policy and Master Plan. She said this will be undertaken in consultation with key stakeholders in efforts to promote the growth and development of those industries, thereby enabling the...

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, distinguished Members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps, Members of International Organisations, Fellow Jamaicans. I thank the Almighty, for his love and kindness towards me. I pray that he will continue to guide my path and bless our nation. I pause at the beginning of this presentation to express my gratitude to my enabling team at...

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, distinguished Members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps, Members of International Organisations, Fellow Jamaicans. I thank the Almighty, for his love and kindness towards me. I pray that he will continue to guide my path and bless our nation. I pause at the beginning of this presentation to express my gratitude to my enabling team at...

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...

It was a matter of record that although the Cornwall Regional Hospital was completed under a People’s National Party government, however, the real paternity for the idea must rest with the former public servant, former Member of Parliament and former Minister of Health, Dr. Herbert Eldemire. The notion that the Cornwall Regional Hospital should be named after the late public...

Mr. Speaker, I believe that my presence in this Honourable House is an expression of the confidence of my constituents in East Central St Andrew to represent their best interest. For five successive elections they have returned me as their Member of Parliament. In the lonely moments that come with this job, they have always been there for me and...