More Speeches

Mr. Speaker, let me begin by thanking those who have directly or indirectly contributed to the efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries over the past year. To the Honourable Prime Minister and the Cabinet for their guidance, my colleague Minister of State, JC Hutchinson, the Permanent Secretary and the thousands of staff members in the Ministry, for their...

Mr. Speaker, the global economic crisis which began in 2007, will go down in history as one of the defining moments of our time. I will not attempt to engage this honourable house on matters best addressed by my colleague Minister of Finance, but I am constrained to mention the global economic crisis for two reasons. Its impact on the...

Mr. Speaker, it is indeed a humbling experience as I rise to speak in this Honourable House not only as a second term Member of Parliament, and first time Cabinet Minister, but at a time when the people of Jamaica have embraced and voted for change, ability and performance. They have voted for a team committed to, and leading the...

Mr. Speaker, permit me to begin my presentation this afternoon by expressing again my gratitude to the Honourable Prime Minister for his continuing confidence in me and for allowing me to serve my country in the capacity of Minister of Tourism. I thank my Cabinet colleagues for their support. I especially thank those Ministries with which I collaborate on issues...

The Government of Jamaica has learnt with great concern of the forcible removal from office of the democratically elected President of Honduras Manuel Zelaya by certain sections of the military, and that he has been taken to another country. We are also deeply concerned by the reports that a number of Government officials and diplomatic representatives have been detained and...

This honourable House will recall that on June 11, 2009, the World Health Organisation declared Phase 6 of its influenza pandemic alert, signaling that the world was at the start of the 2009 influenza pandemic. Phase 6 means that sustained community transmission of the new Influenza A(H1N1) virus is occurring in more than one (1) WHO Region and that a...

"...the global financial crisis has exposed the artificial and tenuous nature of the international economic system..." "...But, in a crisis there are only two (2) options available - FIGHT or FLIGHT. Mr. Speaker, in our case, there is really only one feasible option at this time. We must of necessity FIGHT for the survival of OUR nation..." Pearnel Charles, 2009...

Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to be addressing you on the occasion of the very first Caribbean Regional Conference of the International Telecommunications Society. Some of the best minds in our region will contend with the challenges and the unparalleled opportunities for development, which fast pace innovations in the ICTs have offered up. On behalf of the government, I...

June 14 is observed annually as World Blood Donor Day, a day in which we recognize the efforts of those voluntary donors who have helped to save the lives of millions across the world, with the gift of blood. On World Blood Donor Day, we also seek to heighten awareness of the need for safe blood transfusion and to highlight...

"...Consistent with the recommendation of the Committee of the Whole on Crisis Responses, I urge the world's leaders to consider the establishment of a Global Development Initiative incorporating programmes that already exist but introducing new programmes and additional resources..." click to read entire speech

Discussions have been taking place in relation to Nationwide News Network (NNN) and the test broadcasting being carried out within the FM 90 frequency assigned to the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica. By now interested parties should be aware that in keeping with the Broadcasting Commission's recommendations, Nationwide News Network is to be granted a Public Service Broadcasting Radio Licence...

Mister Chairman, Distinguished Prime Ministers, President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Fellow Governors, Directors and Officers of the Bank, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Observers, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen. It gives me great pleasure to greet you at this my first meeting and the Thirty-Ninth Meeting of the CDB Board of Governors. I am pleased to be here...