Kamla ejected from Parliament after Speaker denies approval to debate motion on missing women, murders
Speaker of the House of Representatives, has ejected Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar from the House after Persad-Bissessar challenged the Speaker's refusal to grant approval to debate a motion on missing people and murders.
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The entire Opposition bench then walked out.
Persad-Bissessar had sought to debate the issue as a matter of urgent public importance.
Business organisations disappointed in FATCA failure
Several business agencies have put together a joint statement expressing disappointment in the Parliament's failure to pass FATCA legislation today.
The following is their statement:
"AMCHAM T&T, ATTIC, BATT, The Energy Chamber, TTCIC, TTCSI and the TTMA are deeply disappointed by the developments in Parliament earlier today and the failure of Parliament to debate and pass the Tax Information Exchange Bill.
We urge all Parliamentarians to put the best interest of the country first and not risk our future financial stability.
FATCA debate falls flat as Opposition walks out; will not be passed before September 30th deadline
Debate on the FATCA legislation has fallen apart and will not be passed by the deadline of September 30th.
It now means that Trinidad and Tobago will not be in compliant with the Foreign Accounts Tax Compliance Act agreement with the United States, unless this county gets an extension from the US Government.
Leader of Government Business, Camille Robinson-Regis adjourned the sitting to 1.30 pm on Friday September 30th, after a walk-out by the Opposition.
PM mum on who's protecting him
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley is not saying whether his security team at present consists of officers of the Police Special Branch or members of the Defence Force.
The matter was raised by the Opposition in the House of Representatives, during the part of the proceedings that allow for questions to the Prime Minister.
However, Dr Rowley told the House that as a public official who is exposed to the elements and is being afforded protection of state agencies, he is "not prepared to discuss any security afforded to me or any citizen afforded security by the State".
Opposition stages Parliament walkout
Extraordinary Parliament sitting next week as Opposition seeks to have VAT changes annulled
The Parliament will meet in an extraordinary session next week to debate a motion to annul the recent changes made to Value Added Tax.
The motion is to be presented by Tabaquite Member of Parliament Dr Suruj Rambachan.
A statement from the Parliament reads:
"In accordance with Standing Order 13(3) of the House of Representatives, there will be an Extraordinary Sitting of the House of Representatives to be held on Tuesday March 8, 2016 at 1:30 p.m.
Government seeks to borrow $15 billion
The Government will present a motion in Parliament on Friday, seeking authorisation to borrow as much as $15 billion dollars either locally or externally.
The motion forms part of the Order Paper released by the Parliament this morning.
It will also present another motion that will seek to set a limit of $45 billion for borrowings of companies that are guaranteed by the Government.
Opposition Leader questions lack of further Parliamentary sittings; alleges PM ducking questions
Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar is questioning the lack of further Parliamentary sittings for this month, saying it appears as though the Prime Minister is attempting to avoid answering questions.
The Opposition Leader says she has a number of questions for Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley to answer.
The following is the Opposition Leader's full statement.
