More Speeches

"Surviving the current economic environment through sound strategic planning" is a profound statement of fact. It applies to the process and business of governance as much it applies to the conduct of private enterprise. For our part, with or without financial support from the International Monetary Fund and our multilateral partners, there are hard choices to be made. Choices that...

I am glad for this opportunity to address a number of critical issues that I know weigh heavily on your minds as they do on mine. There is none of us in this room who does not appreciate the severity of the problems facing the economy and the impact it is having on the life of virtually everyone. These difficulties...

It is a sad reflection on our society that so many people still ask, or wonder, about the history of Lady Bustamante, even until this day and even though she became a lady of great fame, on of the most outstanding women in Jamaica, indeed a matriarch of the nation. click to read the entire tribute

1. On August 5, 2009, Standard and Poors (S&P) downgraded Jamaica's long term sovereign credit rating to CCC+. The Government of Jamaica (GOJ) believes that this ratings action ignores several positive economic developments that have taken place in recent weeks. In recent months, there have been continued signs of an improved outlook for Jamaica's credit profile: a. Significant over-subscription of...

MR SPEAKER, I JOIN THE NATION IN MOURNING THE PASSING OF A PATRIOT THE MOST HONOURABLE LADY GLADYS BUSTAMANTE, A MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF JAMAICA. I FIND IT HARD TO REFER TO THE LADY IN THE PAST TENSE, BUT THE FINE LADY WAS: A PIONEER; A VISIONARY; A TIRELESS CRUSADER FOR A BETTER JAMAICA; MOTHER TO ALL; FRIEND TO...

It is my honour and privilege to speak on the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. My Ministry has a serious responsibility on behalf of all Jamaicans. We must consider developments in the international arena, see how they affect our national interests and help determine Jamaica's best response. We must identify challenges and help to address...

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Lady Bustamante 'Lady B' as she was affectionately called by all Jamaicans. Lady Bustamante played a seminal role in nation building and provided a steady hand to help maintain unity and social cohesion at some of the most difficult times in our history. She was a humble and distinguished person, someone who...

The passing of Lady Gladys Bustamante has taken from us the most enduring icon of Jamaica's political struggles. She was the widow of our great National Hero, The Right Excellent Sir Alexander Bustamante, but she was a heroine in her own right, having been in the front line of the fight to secure and defend the rights of the worker...

Mr. Speaker and Members of this Honourable House, It is indeed a pleasure to be standing here once again and to be privileged to be a part of the 2009/2010 Sectoral Debate. You will recall that over the last twenty two (22) months I was the subject of a court case regarding my legitimacy in the House. I stand here...

1.0 The Historical Context of AccessThe historical underpinnings of education in Jamaica, from slavery through to emancipation, through de-colonization, self-rule and finally independence; to the establishment of the Ministry of Education and the Education Act of 1965, to the New Deal in Education 1966, the 70:30 policy for reserving secondary places for public primary schools, the compulsory attendance policy, the...

Mr. Speaker,1. The intensification of the global financial crisis since September has underscored Jamaica's vulnerability to changes in the external economic environment. The country faces an up-hill challenge if it is to maintain domestic stability in FY 2009/10 and restore the conditions that can support recovery and sustainable growth into the medium-term. 2. The recession in the global economy is...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, will be making a statement in Parliament today (July 21), regarding the recent discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington. The results of those talks were reported to the Cabinet at its weekly meeting on Monday. During his budget presentation, Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding stated that...