More Speeches

The statement I made last Wednesday to the Police Federation has understandably resulted in general public rebuke. On reflection my use of the term "collateral damage" was unfortunate and I unreservedly apologise to the Jamaican people. It was never my intention to suggest or imply that unlawful acts by members of the Security Forces would in any way be condoned...

Fellow Jamaicans, Labour Day activities this year are being held against the background of the global economic crisis that has engulfed us. We must not allow the spirit of Labour Day to be dampened by the crisis. On the contrary, it is because the global crisis has imposed such severe constraints on us nationally and individually that the spirit of...

At about 3pm today, six Canadian visitors to the island were on a self organised excursion to Kingston from Montego Bay. They were traveling in the vicinity of Downtown Kingston in a Mitsubishi Grandis, colour grey, license plate 0445BH. The vehicle was in a line of traffic traveling along Spanish Town Road, when shots were heard. The vehicle was hit,...

Mr. President, the Bill being laid before this Honourable House is the annual Appropriation Bill required by subsection (1) of section 116 of the Constitution of Jamaica. It provides authority for expenditure (other than statutory expenditure) for the financial year 2009/10 and specifies the manner in which that expenditure is to be allocated to the various services and purposes specified...

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day marks the founding of the International Telecommunication Union on 17th May 1865. The Jamaican Government commends the International Telecommunication Union for the critical role that it has played in the development of information and communications technology. With the passage of the Electronic Transactions Act in April 2007, the Government has been focussed on creating...

This year Worker's Week is being observed during the period May 17-25 under the theme "By the Sweat of my Brow an Overview of the Jamaican Labour Movement". The celebrations represent the 71st anniversary of the modern labour movement. Many of us would remember the upheavals in May 1938 when the working people of Jamaica broke with the colonial Government,...

This year's Workers' Week has found us in the throes of a global financial crisis and confronted by even greater challenges than those that existed in previous years; therefore, giving even greater significance to this year's Workers' Week. These challenges that prevail, highlight the need for a deeper sense of unity and love amongst our people; and place on us,...

I want to respond to the issues that have been raised about the projects that have been selected for this year's Labour Day to be observed on May 25. The Prime Minister is absolutely right. The selection of three of the four projects for national focus on Labour Day does appear partisan. But the appearance, in this case, is not...

The Caribbean has accumulated over the years a strong, impressive tradition in the conduct of its foreign affairs. We are small, all of us. We are small individually; we are small collectively, relative to the rest of the world. Notwithstanding our size, we command significant attention and we command respect in the important output of the world. We have led...

This year's commemoration of Teachers' Day, takes on even greater significance, as the teaching fraternity and the wider education sector are confronted by graver challenges than those experienced in previous years. Despite these obstacles, our teachers have remained resilient and committed to their task of educating our nation's youths; and for this, they deserve our highest commendations. The escalating levels...

Much of this year's Budget Debate has been spent discussing the unprecedented economic challenges facing the global economy. To be sure, we find ourselves at a difficult and critical juncture. Nevertheless, this year's Budget Debate has given Jamaicans and all stakeholders ample reasons to be proud, particularly in light of the challenges we face. Rather than discussing the details of...

The challenging global context This debate is taking place in the context of the worst global economic downturn since the Great Depression 80 years ago. It is frequently referred to as a "crisis" and that is exactly what it is. Economies that had come to regard robust economic growth as a natural way of life have suddenly found themselves slipping...