00:01The Prime Minister told the House of Representatives today that taxpayers paid very little for her administration's campaign for this
00:10country's successful bid for non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
00:17What was the cost of getting that vote for the United Nations Security Council? This Security Council campaign cost taxpayers
00:27very little with expenditure largely limited to promotional materials and a single reception in New York. I want you, Mr.
00:35Speaker, to contrast this with the former PNM administration.
00:39On 18 October 2016, the PNM government retained the group DCLLC to lobby on behalf of Trinidad and Tobago, an
00:50arrangement that was repeatedly renewed until 2025.
00:54The Prime Minister gave the Parliament the total costs from 2016 to 2025 that she said was paid for by
01:02taxpayers.
01:03From 2016 to 2025, taxpayers paid U.S. $1.27 million. U.S. That is about $67 million. $67 million.
01:25And yet, in spite of that, yes, we got nothing. There is little evidence of measurable achievements.
01:35House Speaker Jagdaev Singh allowed a follow-up question by Opposition Leader Penelope Beckles under the standing orders.
01:43Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, to the Honourable Prime Minister.
01:48Prime Minister, are you aware that Trinidad and Tobago first served on the Security Council in 1985, following the decision
01:58of a PNM government?
02:06Thank you very much.
02:07Prime Minister.
02:08I am reminded, Mr. Speaker, that is almost 50 years ago.
02:11Many of you sitting here were probably not even born.
02:14I was born here.
02:15I was born here again.
02:17We're talking about now.
02:21Today, Mr. Speaker,
02:25Today, Mr. Speaker, we are in 2026,
02:28and we are now in a more complicated world, geopolitically and otherwise.
02:34And it was this UNC government that has given us this mandate
02:38and given us this vote from 181 countries,
02:41only on the third.
02:43I thank you, Mr. Speaker.
02:44Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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