Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
PHILIPSBURG--Parliament does not follow instructions on the procedure to write laws, Advisory Council Vice Chairwoman Mavis Brooks-Salmon said in a meeting of Parliament's Central Committee at which only eight of the fifteen Members of Parliament (MPs) were present on Tuesday morning.
The Advisory Council, a body outlined in the Constitution as a necessary organ of governance, has in the past told Parliament to "work with government's Legal Department" when crafting initiative laws. The Legal Department has the necessary expertise to assist with the proper way to formulate and present laws, though the department may be understaffed.
Brooks-Salmon pointed out to MPs that the Advisory Council "does not correct" draft legislation, but is capable of giving legislators guidance on where to seek pertinent information in the research and drafting process.
In response to "burning" questions from National Alliance (NA) MP Christophe Emmanuel about whether or not the five-member Council of Ministers was legal as the Constitution states the country should have seven ministers, Brooks-Salmon said while the Advisory Council will further look into the matter, it should be noted that the Constitution does not state the ministers should be seven different persons.
In the current situation, two ministers of the Marcel Gumbs Cabinet hold dual portfolios. Therefore, no ministry is without a supervising minister. Additionally, based on the national ordinance regulating substitution, one minister may fill in if another is unable to perform his/her duties.
The five-member Council of Ministers was sworn-in by Governor Eugene Holiday on December 19, 2014.
Coincidentally, Holiday is also, by law, the chairman of the Advisory Council. Brooks-Salmon is tasked with the daily operations of the Advisory Council. She attended Tuesday's meeting along with council members, extraordinary members and staff.
Following up on Emmanuel's question about the legality of the composition of the Council of Ministers, United People's (UP) party MP Johan Leonard demanded to know if the Advisory Council has the required members, why it did not have a chairman and why the position was not filled as he keeps hearing about the vice-chairwoman.
Brooks-Salmon explained to the MP the role of the governor in the country.
Rounding off the meeting, led by Parliament Chairman Dr. Lloyd Richardson (UP), MPs agreed to the composition of the delegation and travel arrangements for the Inter-Parliamentary Consultations in The Hague from May 25 to 29.
The delegation will be headed by Parliament Vice Chairwoman MP Leona Marlin-Romeo (independent) and will have as members Chairwoman of Parliament's Permanent Committee for Kingdom Relations and Inter-Parliamentary Affairs MP Sarah Wescot-Williams (Democratic Party), MPs Cornelius de Weever (independent), Franklin Meyers (UP), Frans Richardson (United St. Maarten Party), and William Marlin (NA) Also forming part of the delegation are Parliament General Secretary Nancy Joubert and legal advisor attorney Ralph Richardson.
MPs at Tuesday's meeting were Dr. Richardson, Emmanuel, Wescot-Williams, William Marlin, Silveria Jacobs, Marlin-Romeo, George Pantophlet and Johan Leonard.
