Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has denied reports that the Opposition walked out during debate in the Lower House on flooding after Tropical Storm Bret. She said they left only after the debate was completed.
In a statement yesterday, Persad-Bissessar said some media report on the Opposition’s walkout contained inaccuracies and warranted a response in order to present the facts.
“The Hansard recording, as well as the audiovisual, will show that only after the debate on the matter was completed did the Opposition leave the Parliamentary chamber,” she said.
“I wish to reiterate that the Opposition did not walk out of a debate on the floods. In fact, it was the Opposition which caused a debate to take place.
“The Opposition also fully participated in the debate in the time allotted for same and highlighted the extensive damage and lethargic Government response. The Government’s reply was the typical fare of blame-casting, stonewalling and irrelevancies.”
Persad-Bissessar said newspapers were fully represented in the House during Friday’s sitting and at a press conference she hosted the next day on the racism matter and other subjects.
She said it was she who under Standing Order 17 filed a motion on “the failure of the Government to provide adequate resources and relief in a timely, effective and efficient manner to alleviate the hardship, suffering, anguish and distress of the population in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Bret,” as a definite matter of urgent public importance.
“Notably, the Government had not brought the flooding issue to the country’s elected representatives despite the widespread national disaster,” she said.
“The relevant Standing Orders provide such a debate shall commence at 6 pm and last for one hour till 7 pm. I led off the debate, with a 20-minute submission as permitted by the Standing Order, and reported on the destruction of homes, livestock and farm lands and dislocation of families and noted the poor and slow responses of the Government.”
Persad-Bissessar said Government’s main response came from Works Minister Rohan Sinanan who, in a ten-minute contribution, criticised the Opposition and claimed Government had responded to the flood in an effective and timely manner. Following that, several speakers made five-minute presentations, as permitted under the Standing Order.
Recounting the matter involving Princes Town MP Barry Padarath which led to the walkout, she during his brief contribution he was accused by Leader of Government Business Camille Robinson-Regis of being a “racist.” She said this was clearly heard on the audio of the Parliament channel, adding: “That comment was endorsed by the Honourable Prime Minister.”
Persad-Bissessar said it was then the Opposition called on House Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George for a ruling on the said statements.
“Instead, the Speaker proceeded to suspend the sitting for ten minutes. Upon her return to the Chamber, the Speaker resumed debate on the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill.
“The Opposition again sought to have a ruling made. Once more, no ruling was given despite several protestations. At that point, my colleagues and I took a decision to demit the House for the day as we felt that such a matter warranted a ruling.”
