Ivan’s visit will not affect Parliament’s opening

PARLIAMENT officials yesterday conceded that Hurricane Ivan’s unwelcome visit to Trinidad and Tobago over the last 48 hours had slightly set back preparations for tomorrow’s ceremonial opening of the Third Session of the Eighth Parliament at the Red House. However, they said the delay was minor and all would be ready for tomorrow. The opening will begin at 10 am with the convening of the House of Representatives and the Senate at separate locations in the Red House. The Lower House will meet in the parliamentary chamber, while the Senate meets in what used to be the parliamentary members lounge. Officials said the lounge is being re-modelled to house the Senate just for tomorrow, and the Upper House will subsequently resume their sittings in the Chamber as usual.

House Speaker Barry Sinanan will announce President George Maxwell Richards’ desire to address Parliament, suspend the Lower House’s sitting, and leave the Chamber in order to escort the President to the Chamber. At this time, the sittings of both Houses of Parliament will be suspended to allow senators to join their Lower House counterparts in the Chamber prior to the President’s address. While this is happening, the President will arrive outside the Red House, inspect the guard of honour and then be escorted to the Chamber by Sinanan and Senate President, Dr Linda Baboolal. Following the traditional prayers and playing of the National Anthem, the President will address both Houses of Parliament and declare the new parliamentary session open.

Officials were uncertain whether Prime Minister Patrick Manning or Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday would make any statements at tomorrow’s ceremony during the period when the President and senators depart the Chamber, but allowances are being made for that. They said such statements from the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader are traditional after the election of a new President of the Republic. The only expected statement is Leader of Government Business Ken Valley’s request for an adjournment of the Lower House, and announcement of the date of the next sitting.

The first new item on the parliamentary agenda is the presentation of the 2004/2005 Budget. According to Government officials, Manning seems likely to present the Budget in Parliament on October 4. Before the Prime Minister’s medical treatment in Cuba on August 20, the original Budget date was September 6. Manning is expected to unveil a $22 billion Budget, with the major beneficiaries being the Ministries of National Security, Health, Education and Tertiary Education. At a news briefing at Whitehall on Tuesday night, the Prime Minister hinted that provisions in the Budget for disaster relief could be enhanced in the wake of Hurricane Ivan.