Parliament resumes on Monday after the Christmas break and the House Leader,?Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal, says it will be very busy. "A hectic session awaits all MPs. We expect to meet twice a week and deep into the nights," Moonilal told the T&T?Guardian yesterday.
One of the major events expected to take place is the election of a new President. President George Maxwell Richards' second five-year term expires in March and the electoral college-all MPs from both Houses of Parliament-are to meet next month to elect a new head of state.
While Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has publicly said the President had not been ruled out for an unprecedented third term, Richards has been indicating that his term was about to end. Moonilal said among the major bills on the agenda are:
• The Parole Bill
• The Insurance Bill
• The Private Security Bill
• The Beverage Container Bill.
Legislation to address the issue of land ownership in Tobago is also expected to be debated soon. Legislation to amend the Constitution to provide for internal self-government for Tobago is expected to be laid by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Monday.
Debate on it is expected to begin on January 16, five days before the January 21 Tobago House of Assembly election. Moonilal said "a host of motions and other amendment bills to make for better governance" also were expected to be debated in Parliament this year.
MPs are expected to debate a government motion to exempt certain duties from specified items on Monday. It will be presented by Trade, Industry and Investments Minister Vasant Bharath. Six questions are listed for oral answer, including one from Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley about the occupation of housing units at Federation Villas by ministers or other government officials from June 1, 2010 to October 31, 2012.
The sitting begins at 1.30 pm.