House of Representatives

Motions

Annul the Freedom of Information (Exemption) Order, 2017

- 3rd Session - 11th Republican Parliament

WHEREAS it is provided by Section 5(1)(c) of the Freedom of Information Act, Chap. 22:02, that the President may, by Order exempt public authorities from the application of the Act;

AND WHEREAS the Freedom of Information (Exemption) Order, 2017 was published on December 14, 2017 by Legal Notice No. 151;

AND WHEREAS this Order seeks to exempt the Strategic Services Agency from the application of the Freedom of Information Act;

AND WHEREAS the proposed exemption will remove access to information by citizens, interest groups and the media, all of whom have an interest in the policies, rules and practices of the Strategic Services Agency inter alia;

AND WHEREAS this Order will directly affect the transparency, openness, accountability and the necessary checks and balances on all aspects of the operations of the Strategic Services Agency to avoid any potential misuse of office and/or abuse of power:

BE IT RESOLVED that the Freedom of Information (Exemption) Order, 2017 be annulled.

(By the Member for Naparima)
(By Senator Wade Mark)

12 Jan 2018
Motion defeated
8 speakersShow Speakers
1.Mr. Rodney Charles [Naparima] [Opposition Member]
2.The Honourable Faris Al-Rawi SC [San Fernando West] [Attorney General]
3.The Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC [Siparia] [Leader of the Opposition]
4.Mr. Prakash Ramadhar [St. Augustine] [Opposition Member]
5. Dr. Roodal Moonilal [Oropouche East] [Opposition Member]
6.The Honourable Maj. Gen. Edmund Dillon [Point Fortin] [Minister of National Security]
7.Mr. Rodney Charles [Naparima] [Opposition Member]
8.The Honourable Fitzgerald Hinds [Laventille West] [Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs]
16 Jan 2018
Motion defeated 10 for, 19 against, no abstentions
14 speakersShow Speakers
1.Senator Wade Mark [Opposition Senator]
2.Senator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat [Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries]
3.Senator Dr. Dhanayshar Mahabir [Independent Senator]
4.Ms. Khadijah Ameen [Opposition Senator]
5.Senator David Small [Independent Senator]
6.Senator Taharqa Obika [Opposition Senator]
7.Senator Sophia Chote SC [Independent Senator]
8.Senator Gerald Ramdeen [Opposition Senator]
9.Senator Dr. Paul Richards [Independent Senator]
10.Mrs. Anita Haynes-Alleyne [Opposition Senator]
11.Senator the Honourable Franklin Khan [Minister of Energy and Energy Industries]
12.Senator Jennifer Raffoul [Independent Senator]
13.Senator Wade Mark [Opposition Senator]
14.The Honourable Faris Al-Rawi SC [San Fernando West] [Attorney General]