By Sue-Ann Wayow
MEMBERS of Parliament on both Government and Opposition sides had a stern warning from Deputy House Speaker Esmond Forde for their behaviour in the House of Representatives.
The warning came on Monday and within the first few minutes of the Parliamentary sitting during the Prime Minister’s Question segment.
Acting Prime Minister and Finance Minister Colm Imbert was answering questions fired by the Opposition mainly about the Piarco International Airport court matter of which Attorney General Reginald Armour is at the centre of public attention.
However, all Imbert’s answers were short and brief and contained no substance to satisfy the Opposition’s probing.
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley is currently in a prolonged stay in the US, seeking medical attention.
The first question was asked by Member of Parliament for Barataria/San Juan Saddam Hosein.
He asked, “In light of the US new firm White & Case LLP being retained by the Government as a result of the disqualification of Sequor Law in the Miami Case (No. 04-11813 CA 30), will the Prime Minister advise the total fees paid to White & Case LLP?”
Imbert responded that he did not have the details to that answer at that time.
“Nor am I aware that this matter has been fully settled yet,” he added.
Imbert also asked that the question be posed as a question on notice so that the necessary answers could be provided.
For all supplemental questions asked relating to that question, Imbert maintained his initial answer.
Member of Parliament for Naparima Rodney Charles also asked Imbert if he was not properly briefed why was he even answering Prime Minister’s Questions.
Forde said, “Again, we will not entertain that question.
Imbert had a brief answer for the second main question also asked by Hosein which was, “Will the Prime Minister advise under what legal authority is the Minister of Rural Development and Local Government acting as the “client representative” for Trinidad and Tobago after the disqualification of the Attorney General from the Miami Case?”
“This is permissible under the Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago,” Imbert answered.
Hosein asked a supplemental question with murmurs arising from both sides of the House.
Forde got to his feet again.
He said, “Honourable members, the question has been posted I have to decide whether it is the question will be out forward or entertained. I need no assistance from members on both sides as we proceed.”
After that, Member of Parliament for Oropouche East Dr Roodal Moonilal was up next with his question and he began by saying he will try his best to lower the temperature.
He was interrupted by Member of Parliament for Port-of-Spain North/St Ann’s West Stuart Young with a statement barely audible to the listening public, who, Dr Moonilal called “parrot mouth.”
He asked Forde, “Could you please speak to these children in front of me?” accompanied by resounding desk thumping from his colleagues.
Leader of Government Business Camille Robinson-Regis then piqued, “Mr Deputy Speaker, we will not sit here and be insulted by the Member for Oropouche East.”
Forde stood up.
He asked the Member of Parliament for Laventille West Fitzgerald Hinds to retract his statement that he had made earlier calling Opposition members thieves.
Hinds asked, “Which one?”
Forde did not respond.
He repeated his question.
Hinds then began, “I retract the statement that he…”
Forde interjected, “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
He then called on Dr Moonilal to retract the statement that he made.
Dr Moonilal retracted the statement and was also not allowed to repeat it in the retraction.
Forde then said, “All the statements being made of whether who is what and who is not what, as the presiding officer this evening, I will make the necessary decisions as to how we shall proceed. Right. And you all have started it and I will ensure that I end it!”
Order restored
Order then seemed to restored to the House.
Dr Moonilal was allowed to ask a supplemental question. Hosein then proceeded with the third main question.
He asked, “Will the Prime Minister state whether US law enforcement authorities have launched an investigation into the Attorney General in relation to the Affidavit of Mr. Reginald Armour, SC filed in the Miami Case?”
Imbert responded, “I am not aware of any such investigation.”
Hosein then asked a fourth question relating to the Miami case.
“Will the Prime Minister advise if the Attorney General disclosed his conflict of interest in relation to the Miami Case to the Cabinet?”
With a smile, Imbert answered, “The deliberations of Cabinet are confidential.”
However, Dr Moonilal further asked a question that was allowed by the Deputy House Speaker.
He asked, “Prime Minister, bearing in mind previous revelations on recusals of ministers in the Cabinet on various issues is the Prime Minister saying on this matter, the government will remain secret?”
Imbert repeated his first answer.
Hosein asked another supplemental, enquiring if Armour, prior to his appointment as Attorney General disclosed the conflict of interest to the Prime Minister to which Imbert replied he had no such knowledge.
For the other three questions posed by the Opposition not related to the Miami case, Imbert had much more detailed and prepared answers.
