Parliamentary recess ends today; No date set for first sitting

 

By Kurt Campbell

[www.inewsguyana.com]– The two month Parliamentary recess which has indirectly stalled debates on the pending No – Confidence Motion ends today (Friday, October 10).

Amid unease of the outcome of the motion, Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs told iNews this afternoon that no date has been set for the first sitting of the House.

He informed however, that a meeting of the Parliamentary Management Committee is set for Wednesday, October 15 where a date for the first sitting is expected to be set.

“I’m not sure if a date will be set when they meet next Wednesday but I know there is a meeting planned for that date,” Isaacs added.

Following the agreement of a date, the Order Paper will then be set which will list the items to be addressed at the first sitting.

The Alliance for Change (AFC) whose member Moses Nagamootoo is piloting the motion of no confidence had said that October 16 would have been the date for the commencement of debates on the motion.

Opposition Leader David Granger today confirmed that no date has been announced for the first sitting.

Despite signaling his Party’s willingness to support the motion, the Opposition Leader said among his members’ priority will be in addressing outstanding matters among which is the referral of the Finance Minister to the Privileges committee and the Telecommunication (Amendment) Bill. He said his Party will be looking to introduce new Bills and Motions.

In relation to the motion, Granger reminded that it was an AFC piloted motion and that Party will make the final determination on its prioritization.

Last week, House Speaker Raphael Trotman had said that the outcome of the Motion cannot be anticipated, taking into consideration the many possibilities that surround it.

He alluded that one of those possibilities is that it could remain on the Order Paper for several months; awaiting a debate.

Meanwhile, the Speaker said there is a full agenda of critical issues to be addressed too when the House resumes. These include the Anti – Money Laundering Bill, the Telecommunications and Public Utilities Commission Bill, the Education Bill and the Customs Amendment Bill among others.