The government's response, to a question in the House of Representatives, seeking an explanation as to why the former Chief of Defence Staff was fired, didn't provide the public with any clarity.
Instead of an answer, the Minister of Defence invoked a Standing Order, to avoid having to present any details.
00:00Since the news broke of the firing of Chief of Defense Staff Air Vice Marshal Daryl Daniel a couple of days ago,
00:06the government has been mum under circumstances surrounding his sacking.
00:10Daniel has since been replaced by Captain Don Polo and Member of Parliament for Aruca Lopino Marvin Gonzalez
00:17attempted to have the government account to the public in the House of Representatives
00:21through a question posed to Defense Minister Wayne Sturge.
00:24In light of the current state of emergency in Trinidad and Tobago,
00:28can the Minister give the reasons for the sudden termination of the Chief of Defense Staff?
00:36Minister of Defense.
00:47Mr. Speaker, permit me to invoke Standing Order 27G.
00:58It didn't sit well with Gonzalez, who appeared to have been taken by surprise with Sturge's response.
01:07Mr. Speaker, the purpose of urgent questions and questions in this parliament
01:11is to hold the government to account on critical matters of governance in Trinidad and Tobago.
01:16Mr. Speaker, I would imagine that there is some justification for you to suggest that the Minister's reliance on the public interest is misconceived in some way
01:36that falls within the bounds of these standing orders.
01:39Mr. Speaker, the question was approved for the Minister to come and account to the people of Trinidad and Tobago.
01:47Let me answer that.
01:47Leader of Government Business Barry Padareth intervened.
01:50Mr. Speaker, you alluded earlier that the provisions of the Standing Orders clearly allows for the Minister to invoke in the interests of the public.
02:00So, therefore, we stand on that.
02:02Speaker of the House of Representatives, Jagdeo Singh, explained the Standing Order 27G.
02:08A minister may decline to answer a question if, in his opinion, the publication of the answer would be contrary to the public interest.
02:18These standing orders don't permit me, as Speaker, with any residual discretionary power to challenge, question or call to account the invocation of the public interest by the Minister.
02:34Singh stated for further clarity that he has no residual power to demand an answer of the Minister through that standing order.
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