In a growing quarrel that has pitted the National Assembly against the Executive, House Speaker, Raphael Trotman, has defended his decision to allow a critical bill to be debated.Yesterday, Trotman insisted that he followed procedures in allowing the Fiscal Management and Accountability (Amendment) Bill 2012 to be debated and even asked for advice from Parliamentary staffers and leading constitutional law experts.“The Hon. Speaker will not be drawn into any public or private debate on this matter and is satisfied that due process was observed. (He) considers it regrettable that the nation’s important business is being reduced to a public spectacle,” Trotman said in a statement last evening.Yesterday, Kaieteur News quoted Attorney General, Anil Nandlall. The headline proclaimed, “Speaker’s error forces Ramotar’s rejection – Nandlall”.However, Trotman hit back yesterday, quoting several sections of the Parliamentary Standing Orders which he used in making his decision.“Prior to the commencement of the debate, the Hon. Speaker received the benefit of advice of the Parliamentary staff, and leading constitutional law experts. He was properly satisfied that the relevant provisions of Article 171 of the Constitution, or any Standing Orders, were not being contravened in the debate and passage of the Fiscal Management and Accountability (Amendment) Bill 2012-Bill No. 24 of 2012.”The National Assembly is virtually at a stalemate with the Executive saying he will not be assenting to any Opposition tabled bills.This was after the Opposition in two consecutive years,Cheap NBA Jerseys China, reduced the National Budget, affecting several projects by Government.The President has already withheld his assent to the two opposition-proposed Bills- the Former Presidents (Benefits and other Facilities) Bill 2012, and The Fiscal Management and Accountability (Amendment Bill) 2012. Although the Opposition used its one-seat majority to muscle it through, it was turned down.But Nandlall during a press conference earlier this week, laid the blame squarely on Trotman, saying that the Speaker “fell into error” last week.The Opposition- both A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) – has accused the President of precipitating a constitutional crisis.Nandlall reminded that when a Bill is presented to the President, he is constitutionally empowered to signify his assent to the same or, to withhold his assent.Government has been insisting that despite the National Assembly being a separate arm of the administration, it still falls under the jurisdiction of the Constitution- the law of the land.The budget cuts are engaging the attention of the courts at the moment.
