By Vernon Daley, Staff Reporter
IT'S HARD for the Government to avoid the criticism that it has shown scant regard for the work of Parliament and therefore, the nation's business. A Government which really had the country's affairs at heart could not have stalled the work of Parliament for almost two months.
The House of Representatives resumes tomorrow after a seven-week break, having recessed on May 27. Government spokespersons have attempted to justify the long break, arguing that the intervention of the Local Government elections and the recently concluded Caribbean Community (CARICOM) conference, contributed to the long delay. I'm sorry, I just don't buy it.
Parliament broke for almost three weeks prior to the June 19 Local Government elections. I'm not going to be too difficult about that, given the fact that there is traditionally a short break after the April Budget debate. Three weeks is hardly short but with elections in the air and the campaign heating up, it might have been a little unreasonable to think Parliament would have resumed its work in that period.
But, how does one explain the post election period? What good reason is there for Parliament not to have met since June 19, when there are so many pressing matters on the legislative agenda?
INTERVENTION
Government spokespersons suggested last week that the intervention of the CARICOM summit from July 2-5 helped to stall the resumption of Parliament's work. But how many parliamentarians were at the summit in Montego Bay?
Information Minister Burchell Whiteman, who is the leader of the Senate, along with his deputy, Senator A.J. Nicholson, were at CARICOM and therefore it might have been difficult for the Upper House to sit. But what about the House of Represen-tatives? A number of Ministers were at the summit on different days but that should not have been a basis for holding up the work of the legislature.
Even so, let's say that the presence of critical people in Montego Bay would have prevented a sitting of the House and the Senate, does the same go for the sundry parliamentary committees on which several backbenchers and Opposition members sit?
These committees, whether standing or select, play an important role in the business of Parliament and it is hard to see why over seven weeks only the House Privileges Committee has met. Incidentally, the public and press were barred from that meeting.
The long break from the business of Parliament has meant a delay in the Sectoral Debate, which starts tomorrow. It is now unlikely that the Debate will end before the summer recess and will have to resume in September or October. But, what's new?
Throughout the society, there is a tendency towards the 'last minute syndrome.' We exercise poor time management and at the last minute end up scrambling to adjust our workload to meet our schedule. Parliament is merely epitomising this unhealthy national trait.
DON'T BORE ME, PLEASE
The Sectoral Debate begins tomorrow and, as usual, those who didn't have the opportunity to participate in the recent Budget Debate, will now have a forum to voice their views on various issues relating to the economy, human resources and crime and violence.
I'm watching out for what the Government backbenchers and the Opposition 'back-up' team are going to say. I'm usually thoroughly bored by these presenters, who only seem capable of thanking the Prime Minister for his generosity and paying tribute to their constituents for putting them in power.
Surely the Sectoral Debate can be used for much more than that. This is the opportunity for these persons, who don't get much of the limelight throughout the year, to make real, intelligent contributions on the issues affecting national life.
Many of them have used the Sectoral Debate to focus on the issues in their constituencies. That is all good and well. After all, they are in Parliament representing people in specific geographic areas. However, as legislators, they have to take the business of the entire country into account, even as they look out for the welfare of their constituents. They should, therefore try to bridge the gap and make the connections between national affairs and the problems of their constituencies.
That will make their presentations more interesting as well as give their colleagues, and the journalists present, fewer reasons to nod off during their contributions.
Send comments to: vernon.daley@gleanerjm.com.
