PM assures

PRIME MINISTER Patrick Manning yesterday said he respects the principle of the separation of powers.

This constitutional principle urges that a country’s executive, legislature and judiciary should each broadly operate independently of each other.

Manning made this statement while responding to Leader of the Opposition Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who in congratulating him on his 35 years as an MP, told him to always respect the separation of powers, parliamentary democracy and the supremacy of the rule of law.

“I’d like to reiterate for honourable members that we on this side, and certainly I, understand the question of the rule of law,” Manning said. The Government, he added, governs in accordance with the rule of law.

“We understand very clearly the separation of powers and we understand as a consequence the independence of the judiciary and the fact that the judiciary must conduct its business free of any governmental interference.”

He said the Government adheres to that principle. The views of the people in a parliamentary democracy, he said, must be evident in its government’s policy positions and decisions.

“I wish to give honourable members and the national community the assurance that our adherence to the rule of law and our commitment to democracy are two commitments from which we will never swerve.”

In accepting the congratulations of the House, Manning said that he had been a member of nine parliaments.

He said the history of the country is being written and it is a very interesting time in the development of the democracy in Trinidad and Tobago. Earlier, congratulations had been offered by House Speaker Barry Sinanan and Minister of Social Development Anthony Roberts. Reports are that Manning cut a special anniversary cake with Persad-Bissessar.