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Public Servants to Attend Parliament When Bills Affect Their Portfolios
The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has directed that permanent secretaries and heads of departments must attend Parliament when legislation related to their ministries is being debated.
Speaking during Thursday’s post-Cabinet briefing, Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant stated:
“Permanent secretaries and heads of departments should be present at parliamentary debates whenever bills are being debated that affect their ministries.”
He continued, “So a matter of health reform, then heads of departments and permanent secretaries from that ministry must be in Parliament throughout the duration of discussions on that issue to familiarize themselves with the changes, amendments or bills that are being enacted.”
Merchant explained that the new measure is part of efforts to ensure that public servants are better equipped to perform their duties:
“Just to also bring you up to speed as it relates to the permanent secretaries, the Cabinet indicated that permanent secretaries are required to be fully versed on laws and regulations that govern their performance.”
The directive forms part of a broader public sector reform agenda focused on improving accountability, training, and professionalism across the civil service.
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Bout time! Dey shudda been in de House long time when dem name call!
Mi like dis. Let dem come answer questions direct, not hide behind memo!
If dem pay tax dollars, dem must answer to Parliament when tings go wrong.
Yes please! Public servants too powerful to stay behind closed doors!
Finally, some direct line between action and legislation.
“A culture of disrespect, disdain and contempt’—Ombudsman report has strong criticism for parliamentarians”. A copy of this report should be circulated to all Permanent Secretaries and Department Heads so that they know what to expect.
https://antiguaobserver.com/a-culture-of-disrespect-disdain-and-contempt-ombudsman-report-has-strong-criticism-for-parliamentarians/
“So a matter of health reform, then heads of departments and permanent secretaries from that ministry must be in Parliament throughout the duration of discussions on that issue to familiarize themselves with the changes, amendments or bills that are being enacted.”
REALLY? There are times when MP’s themselves are not familiar with the bills even after three reading. I am trying so hard not to laugh
” the Cabinet indicated that permanent secretaries are required to be fully versed on laws and regulations that govern their performance.”
When ever civil servants enforces the laws passed by Parliament they are label as trouble makers and subjected to vicious attacks on the media.
Finally is it that the MP’s are tired of debating to an empty gallery why the Cabinet is now mandating Department Heads to attend?
Positive move, totally agree