Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694870643842.pdf (Guyana)
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1- NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE 89TH SITTING OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE FIRST SESSION (2006-2009) OF THE NINTH PARLIAMENT OF GUYANA HELD AT 2.00 P.M. ON THURSDAY, 21ST MAY, 2009 IN THE PARLIAMENT CHAMBER, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, BRICKDAM MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY (70) 4.

Speaker (1) The Hon.


Hari N. Ramkarran, S.C., M.P., Speaker of the National Assembly MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT (41) (1) (ii) People's Progressive Party/Civic (40) The United Force (1) 46• The Hon.

Samuel A.A. Hinds, M.P., (Region No.

10 — Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice), Prime Minister and Minister of Public Works and Communications The Hon.

Clement J. Rohee, M.P., Minister of Home Affairs (Absent) The Hon.

Shaik K.Z Baksh, M.P., Minister of Education The Hon.
Dr. Leslie S. Ramsammy, M.P., (Region No.

6 — East Berbice/Corentyne), Minister of Health (Absent — on leave) The Hon.

Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, M.P., (Region No.

9 — Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo), Minister of Foreign Affairs (Absent — on leave) *The Hon.

Dr. Ashni K. Singh, M.P., Minister of Finance _.

* The Hon.

Robert M. Persaud, M.P., (Region No.

6 — East Berbice/Corentyne), Minister of Agriculture (Absent — on leave) *Non-elected Minister /...2 ; • 2.

1r 4 The Hon.
1r 4 The Hon.

Dr. Jennifer R.A. Westford, M.P., (Region No.

7 — Cuyuni/Mazaruni), Minister of Public Service The Hon.

Kellawan La11, M.P., Minister of Local Government and Regional Development *The Hon.

Charles R. Ramson, S.C., M.P., Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs The Hon.

Dr. Frank C.S.

Anthony, M.P., Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport The Hon.

B. H. Robeson Benn, M.P., Minister of Transport and Hydraulics **The Hon.
Manzoor Nadir, M.P., Minister of Labour (Absent — on leave) The Hon.

Priya D. Manickchand, M.P., (Region No.

5 — Mahaica/Berbice), Minister of Human Services and Social Security The Hon.

Dr. Desrey Fox, M.P., Minister in the Ministry of Education The Hon.

Dr. Bheri S. Ramsaran, M.D., M.P., Minister in the Ministry of Health The Hon.

Jennifer I. Webster, M.P., Minister in the Ministry of Finance ..4.

 The Hon.

Manniram Prashad, M.P., Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce *The Hon.
Pauline Sukhai, M.P., Minister of Amerindian Affairs The Hon.

Mohamed Irfaan All, M.P., Minister of Housing and Water Mr. Donald R. Ramotar, M.P.

Ms Gail Teixeira, M.P.

Mrs. Indranie Chandarpal, M.P., Chief Whip (Absent — on leave) Mr. Harripersaud Nokta, M.P.

4 Ms Bibi S. Shadick, M.P., (Region No.

3 — Essequibo Island/West Demerara) Mr. Albert A. Atkinson, J.P., M.P., (Region No.

8 — Potaro/Siparuni) *Non-Elected Minister **Elected Member from the United Force /...3 it 4 3.
Mr. Komal Chand, C.C.H., J.P., M.P., (Region No.

3 — Essequibo Island/West Demerara) Mr. Bernard C. DeSantos, S.C., M.P., (Region No.

4 — Demerara/Mahaica) Mrs. Shirley V. Edwards, J.P., M.P., (Region No.

4 — Demerara/Mahaica) Mr. Mohamed F. Khan, J.P., M.P., (Region No.

2 — Pomeroon/Supernaam) Mr. Moses V. Nagamootoo, J.P., M.P.

(Absent — on leave) Mr. Mohabir A. Nandlall, M.P.

Mr. Odinga N. Lumumba, M.P.

Mr. Neendkumar, J.P., M.P., (Region No.


4 — Demerara/Mahaica) ***Mr. Steve P. Ninvalle, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Mr. Parmanand P. Persaud, J.P., M.P., (Region No.

2 — Pomeroon/Supernaam) Mrs. Philomena Sahoye-Shury, C.C.H., J.P., M.P., Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Housing and Water I.

 Mr. Dharamkumar Seeraj, M.P.

Mr. Norman A. Whittaker, M.P., (Region No.

1 — BarimalWaini) Dr. Vishwa Deva Budhram Mahadeo, M.P.

Rev.
Rev.

Kwame Gilbert, M.P.

Members of the Opposition (28) (i) Members of People's National Congress Reform-One Guyana (22) Mr. Robert Corbin, M.P., Leader of the Opposition (Absent — on leave) Mr. Winston Murray, C.C.H., M.P.

Mrs. Clarissa S. Riehl, M.P., Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Mr. E. Lance Carberry, M.P., Chief Whip (Absent — on leave) ***Non-elected Parliamentary Secretary /...4 • it 4.

Mrs. Deborah J.

Backer, M.P.

(Absent) It Mr. Anthony Vieira, M.P.

(Absent) Mr.


Basil Williams, M.P.

(Absent — on leave) Dr. George A. Norton, M.P.

Mrs. Volda A. Lawrence, M.P.

Mr. Keith Scott, M.P.

(Absent — on leave) .I.

Ms Amna Ally, M.P.

Ms Cheryl Sampson, M.P.

Mr. Dave Danny, M.P., (Region No.

4 — Demerara/Mahaica) Mr. Aubrey C. Norton, M.P., (Region No.

4 — Demerara/Mahaica) (Absent) Mr. Ernest Barnabas Elliot, M.P., (Region No.

4 — Demerara/Mahaica) Mrs. Judith David-Blair, M.P., (Region No.
7 — Cuyuni/Mazaruni) Mr. Mervyn Williams, M.P., (Region No.

3 — Essequibo Island/ West Demerara) (Absent — on leave) Ms Africo Selman, M.P.

Dr. John Austin, M.P., (Region No.

6 — East Berbice/Corentyne) Ms Jennifer Wade, M.P., (Region No.

5 — Mahaica/Berbice) Ms. Vanessa Kissoon, M.P., (Region No.

10 — Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice) Mr. Desmond Fernandes, M.P., (Region No.

1 — Barima/Waini) A Alk (ii) Alliance for Change (5) Mr. Raphael G.C.

Trotman, M.P.
Trotman, M.P.

(Absent — on leave) Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, M.P.

/...5 n Mrs. Sheila Holder, M.P.

5.

Mrs. Latchmin Punalall, M.P., (Region No.

4 — Demerara/Mahaica) Mr. David Patterson, M.P.

(iii) Guyana Action Party/Rise Organize and Rebuild (1) Mr. Everall N. Franklin, M.P.
OFFICERS (2) Mr. Sherlock E. Isaacs, Clerk of the National Assembly Mrs. Lilawtie Coonjah, Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly COMMENCEMENT OF SITTING The sitting commenced at 2.10 p.m. PRAYERS The Clerk read Prayers.

PRESENTATION OF PAPERS AND REPORTS- (1) The Prime Minister, on behalf of the Minister of Home Affairs, presented the Guyana Police Force Annual Report for the year 2005.

(Circulated) 4 /...6 • 6.


-4 (2) By the Minister of Housing and Water: Guyana Water Incorporated Annual Reports and Accounts for the years 2005, 2006 and 2007.

(Circulated) REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES- (3) By the Speaker of the National Assembly (Chairman of the Committee of Selection): 1 Record of the Round Robin of the Members of the Committee of Selection held on Thursday, 7th May, 2009.
(Circulated) (4) By the Minister of Finance (Chairman of the Special Select Committee on the Money Transfer Agencies (Licensing) Bill 2008): Report of the Special Select Committee on the Money Transfer Agencies (Licensing) Bill 2008 — Bill No.

15 of 2008.

(Circulated) (5) By Ms Gail Teixeira M.P., (Chairperson of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Economic Services): Fourth Periodic Report of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Economic Services.

(Circulated) Ix 4.

/...7 7.


INTRODUCTION OF BILLS- Introduction and First Readings 1.

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH (AMENDMENT) BILL 2009 — Bill No.

18/2009 The Minister of Human Services and Social Security, on behalf of the Minister of Labour and on behalf of the Government, presented the following Bill which was read the first time: 4 A BILL intituled AN ACT to amend the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1997.

2.

HOLIDAYS WITH PAY (AMENDMENT) BILL 2009 — Bill No.


19/2009 The Minister of Human Services and Social Security, on behalf of the Minister of Labour and on behalf of the Government, presented the following Bill which was read a first J% time: A BILL intituled AN ACT to amend the Holidays with Pay Act 1995.

PUBLIC BUSINESS - (1) GOVERNMENT BUSINESS BILLS — Second Readings 4 ITEM 1 - STATUS OF CHILDREN BILL 2009 — Bill No.
5/2009 published on 2009-01-27 The Minister of Human Services and Social Security moved the second reading of the following Bill which was referred to a Special Select Committee for consideration and report: /...8 • A 8.

A BILL intituled AN ACT to repeal and re-enact the provisions of the Children Born Out of Wedlock (Removal of Discrimination) Act 1983; to provide for presumptions of parentage and parentage testing procedures; to effect reform of the law generally and for related purposes.
(Read a first time on 2009-01-29) (Committed to the Special Select Committee on 2009-01-29) The following Members spoke to the motion: Mrs. Clarissa Riehl Mr. Mohamed Khan Mrs. Latchmin Punalall Thereafter the Minister of Human Services and Social Security replied.

The Bill was then read a second time.

The Assembly resolved itself into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.

In Committee Clauses 1 to 53 were passed as amended.
Assembly resumed On a motion by the Minister of Human Services and Social Security, the Status of Children Bill 2009 was read a third time and passed as amended.

/...9 A A A • • 9.

A ITEM 2 - LEADER OF THE OPPPOSITION (BENEFITS AND OTHER FACILITIES) BILL 2009 — Bill No.
16/2009 published on 2009-04-30 At the request of the Minister of Finance the second reading of the following Bill was deferred: A BILL intituled AN ACT to provide for benefits and other facilities to the Leader of the Opposition.

(Read a first time on 2009-04-30) ITEM 3 - ADOPTION OF CHILDREN BILL 2009 — Bill No.
6/2009 published on 2009-01-27 The Minister of Human Services and Social Security moved the second reading of the following Bill which was referred to a Special Select Committee for consideration and report: A BILL intituled AN ACT to provide for the reform of laws for the adoption of children and for related matters.
(Read a first time on 2009-01-29) (Committed to the Special Select Committee on 2009-01-29) The following Members spoke to the motion: A Mrs. Latchmin Punalall Mr. Mohabir Nandalall Mrs. Shirley Edwards Mrs. Clarissa Riehl Thereafter the Minister of Human Services and Social Security replied.

/.. .l 0 • 10.

The Bill was then read a second time.

The Assembly resolved itself into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.

In Committee Clauses 1 to 35 were passed as amended.
Clause 36 The Minister of Human Services and Social Security moved the following amendments which were put and carried: After the word 'confidential' insert the words 'as may be directed to be made therein by adoption orders, but no other entries.'

Clause 36 was then passed as amended.

Clauses 37 to 49 were passed as amended.

The Schedule was passed as amended.


Assembly resumed On a motion by the Minister of Human Services and Social Security, the Adoption of Children Bill 2009 was read a third time and passed as amended.

• 4 COMMITTEES BUSINESS MOTION 11.
ITEM 4 - NOMINATION OF MEMBERS TO THE WOMEN AND GENDER EQUALITY COMMISSION Ms Gail Teixeira, M.P., (Chairperson of the Committee on Appointments) moved the following motion: WHEREAS, the Standing Committee on Appointments to Commissions in keeping with Resolution No 61 of 13th June, 2008 consulted the approved lists of entities for nominations to the Women and Gender Equality Commission; AND WHEREAS, the entities met and made submissions of their nominations between September 15th, 2008 and March 24th, 2009; BE IT RESOLVED: That this National Assembly approves the following persons from the following categories as members of the Women and Gender Equality Commission established under the Constitution and signify to the President that: A Women Ms. Vanda Radzik Ms. Shalimar Ali-Hack Ms. Magda Pollard Professional Ms. Debra Ann Henry /...12 • 4 12.
Regional Women Affairs Committee Ms. Nandranie Coonjah Ms. Ernestine Barker Logan Ms. Bebbi Haliema Khan TUC-Women Advisory Council Ms. Karen VanSluytman-Corbin Private Sector Ms. Renata Chuck-A-Sang Labour Movement Ms. Gaietra Baron Ms. Gillian Burton Cultural/Ethnic Ms. Nicole Cole Mr. Peter Persaud Women's Progressive Organisation Ms. Indranie Chandarpal National Congress of Women Ms. Cheryl Sampson 4 /...13 i II 13. have been nominated in accordance with Resolution No.
61 of 13th June, 2008, and Article 212Q(a)(b) of the Constitution to be appointed members of the Women and Gender Equality Commission.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That this National Assembly adopts the Seventh Report of the Standing Committee to address matters relating to the nomination and appointment of members of the Women 4' and Gender Equality Commission.

(Notice Paper No.

385 (M96 PPP/C Private Member No.


11) published on 2009-04-23) The following Members spoke to the motion: Ms Amna Ally The Minister in the Ministry of Finance Mrs. Clarissa Riehl Mrs. Sheila Holder Mr. Donald Ramotar Thereafter Ms Gail Teixiera replied.

The motion was then put and carried.

• 4 /...14 • • 14.

ADJOURNMENT At 4.07 p.m., on a motion by the Prime Minister and Minister of Public Works and Communications, the Assembly was adjourned to 2.00 p.m., on Thursday, 28th May, 2009.
OCANt a v\ HON.

HARI N. RAMKARRAN, S.C., M.P., Speaker of the National Assembly PARLIAMENT OFFICE, Public Buildings, Brickdam, Georgetown.

21st May, 2009.

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