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Refusal to appoint Legal Counsel violates Parliamentary democracy – Opposition Parties
Opposition Parties in the National Assembly believe the non-inclusion of a Legal Counsel within Parliament Office structure is a violation of Parliamentary democracy.
AFC Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan
On Monday at PPP/C’s press conference, Public Service Minister Jennifer Westford said she prefers to increase the number of staff of the Ministry of Legal Affairs that provide legal support to Parliament than for the Public Service Ministry to create a new structure within Parliament Office for a Legal Counsel.
She said currently there is no establishment or position as a Legal Counsel in the structure of Parliament. Westford added what exists is a Chief Parliamentary Counsel and his deputy, who are attached to the Attorney General Office, Ministry of Legal Affairs.
“If there is need for any increase in staff for that department, I am prepared to consider increasing the staff for that department but I cannot see the Ministry creating a new structure within the Parliament office for legal Counsel,” she said.
Without being officially told by Westford that a Legal Counsel would not be appointed, Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs told Kaieteur News Tuesday that he was unable to comment on the matter.
He asserted on July 18 a letter was dispatched to the Minister requesting approval for the appointments of a Legal Counsel, Researcher, and Typist, which would have led to the creation of a legal division within the Parliament Office.
An acknowledgement receipt of the letter was not received and a reminder letter was subsequently sent. Isaacs enlightened that the request for the creation of the post was based on a decision taken by the Parliamentary Management Committee.
He said the Minister’s decision now puts him in a tighter spot since he has no legal background and would be tasked with reading the Bills before and after they are approved in the National Assembly.
Isaacs said currently Parliament is dependent on staff of the Attorney General’s Chamber for assistance. “The Bills ought not go to the Attorney General’s Chamber and now I am not getting anyone to help,” he added.
The Opposition Parties – Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) – who have been calling for Parliament to have a Legal Counsel, find the Minister’s comments distasteful. Both parties have demanded the appointment of a Legal Counsel since the Chief Parliamentary Counsel is not readily available to the Opposition.
Leader of the AFC Khemraj Ramjattan sees the Minister’s decision as a subversion of Parliamentary independence, contributing to the continued tension that exists in the National Assembly. He said blocking the procurement of a draftsperson when there is a deficit is a malicious act by Government to maintain dominance in Parliament.
Ramjattan explained that the Chief Parliamentary Counsel, Cecil Dhurjon, only provides assistance to Opposition Members of Parliament in Select Committees. In addition, Dhurjon only takes instructions from the Attorney General leaving the Opposition without legal assistance in the drafting of Bills.
He said Government wants to neutralize the Opposition’s capacities.
According to Leader of the Opposition, David Granger, given the difficulties the Opposition had since the Tenth Parliament in drafting Bills, APNU had taken the decision to emphasize the need for the appointment of a Parliamentary Counsel.
Echoing Ramjattan, he said the Parliamentary Counsel is not available to the Opposition. He added the National Assembly would have to deliberate on the matter since it has nothing to do with the Minister, but Parliamentary democracy.
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Picture saved in Friday as: Jennifer Westford
Caption: Public Service Minister, Jennifer Westford
Picture saved in Friday as: Khemraj Ramjattan
Caption:
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