Last Friday's debate over the notification from President Anthony Carmona of his desire to reappoint Prof Ramesh Deosaran as chairman of the Police Service Commission revealed an absence of unanimity among members of the House of Representatives over the nomination.A change was made in 2006 to replace the veto of the Prime Minister with the vote of the House of Representatives over a proposed presidential appointment to the PSC by former prime minister Patrick Manning.
He piloted the constitutional amendment in this way: "The mere fact that a debate is triggered, and the mere fact that in such a debate both honourable members on the Government side and honourable members opposite will be in a position to air, as extensively as the Standing Orders allow, any shortcomings in the process, Mr Speaker, that fact alone we believe, is a fact that will cause the President to ensure that in the conduct of that particular exercise a process of consultation is entered into that is acceptable to the Government and honourable members opposite; that is the positive side of it."
Pointing out that his Government had made a compromise in supporting this method, Mr Manning said: "We do not agree with the process."However, in the spirit of compromise and discussion that took place between the Government and Opposition, we thought it prudent to agree to that formula that now forms part of legislation before this House and to give it a chance to work."
http://www.guardian.co.tt/digital/new-members