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Opposition Chief Whip Marvin Gonzalez has called on the Speaker of the House of Representatives to restore his motion on Trinidad and Tobago’s water supply, arguing that the parliamentary record shows he formally moved the motion before beginning his 45-minute contribution. Gonzalez played footage from the sitting in which he could be heard opening with the words, “Mr. Speaker, I beg to move the following motion standing in my name.” He said this contradicted the subsequent ruling that the required motion had not been moved within his allotted speaking time. He also cited May’s Parliamentary Practice, saying a member called to move a motion is deemed to have done so during the course of the speech whether or not the words are later repeated. Gonzalez argued that nothing in the Standing Orders required him to repeat “I beg to move” at the conclusion of his contribution. He called on the Speaker to reverse the decision and restore the motion, saying the issue affects communities across Trinidad and Tobago experiencing water supply problems. Gonzalez said he also intends to write formally to the Speaker seeking correction of the parliamentary record and reversal of the ruling.
Opposition Chief Whip Marvin Gonzalez has called on the Speaker of the House of Representatives to restore his motion on Trinidad and Tobago’s water supply, arguing that the parliamentary record shows he formally moved the motion before beginning his 45-minute contribution.
Gonzalez played footage from the sitting in which he could be heard opening with the words, “Mr. Speaker, I beg to move the following motion standing in my name.” He said this contradicted the subsequent ruling that the required motion had not been moved within his allotted speaking time.
He also cited May’s Parliamentary Practice, saying a member called to move a motion is deemed to have done so during the course of the speech whether or not the words are later repeated.
Gonzalez argued that nothing in the Standing Orders required him to repeat “I beg to move” at the conclusion of his contribution.
He called on the Speaker to reverse the decision and restore the motion, saying the issue affects communities across Trinidad and Tobago experiencing water supply problems.
Gonzalez said he also intends to write formally to the Speaker seeking correction of the parliamentary record and reversal of the ruling.
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