Lawmakers can attend Parliament sessions online

  For the first time in its history, the Barbados Parliament will be able to meet virtually to allow parliamentarians to observe the physical distancing COVID-19 protocol.

Reading a proclamation from Governor General Dame Sandra Mason, before Parliament, today, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Arthur Holder, said with effect from today, Parliament may be held with some members present in the Chambers and others participating virtually for the purpose of complying with the protocol relating to physical distancing.

However, Opposition Leader Bishop Joseph Artherley suggested that the Speaker’s announcement sounded out of order and improper to him. He noted that if the Parliament of Barbados is shifting to a situation where there is a participation of members virtually, even given the COVID-19 protocols Parliament should be giving attention to the regulations to govern the context in which members participate via virtual means.

“Seems to me this is out of order. Seems to me those regulations which would amend the standing orders should be brought here first. The Parliament should discuss and vote on them and then later on perhaps a proclamation from Her Excellency,” Atherley said.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Dale Marshall, argued that Parliament meeting virtually is not a mandatory requirement, but is in fact permissive.

He said Parliament has the responsibility to determine how the virtual system would work, while being responsible leaders during the ongoing pandemic.

The Attorney General said the last three Cabinet meetings took place virtually. He made reference to the fact that just two weeks ago, almost all Cabinet members in the Bahamas, had to go into quarantine.

He said while Barbados’ COVID-19 protocols have been serving the country well as gatekeepers, there is always the possibility that cases might slip through the cracks.

“So if the Cabinet of Barbados can say to itself brothers and sisters we have to take precautions and where possible let us meet virtually, I can see no harm Mr Speaker, in fact, I can see every good with the Parliament of Barbados taking a similar stance,” Marshall said.
(AH)