Saskia Warrick
The Government has firmly rejected an Opposition motion aimed at rescinding Resolution No. 35 for the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), emphasizing its commitment to accountability and transparency in parliamentary affairs.
Opposition Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul brought forward the motion in the House, seeking to overturn an amendment made to Standing Order 82 in 2022.
This amendment established a quorum of five members for the PAC, with representation from both the Government and the Opposition.
Mahipaul argued that the amendment, particularly Resolution No. 35, had hindered the work of the PAC, which historically operated without such constraints.
However, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, countered these claims, stating that the motion was misguided and lacked validity.
Minister Teixeira highlighted the PAC’s strong track record and suggested that the Opposition’s true motive was to distract the Committee from its mandate of ensuring accountability and transparency, especially during their tenure in office.
During the parliamentary session, Minister Teixeira asserted that the real issue was not the quorum requirement but rather the Opposition’s desire to expedite proceedings without proper scrutiny.
She emphasized the importance of addressing underlying issues rather than focusing solely on procedural matters.
Following debate and deliberation, the motion was put to a vote, resulting in 33 members voting against it, compared to 30 in favor.
This decisive outcome reaffirmed the Government’s position on maintaining the existing resolution for the PAC.
In essence, the rejection of the motion underscores the Government’s commitment to upholding parliamentary procedures that promote accountability and transparency in the management of public funds and resources.