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Statement by the Honourable Wade Mark, MP, Speaker of the House of Representatives Institutional strengthening In 2010, the Parliament of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the UNDP initiated discussions to explore the possibility of a project to enhance public input into the legislative work of the parliament and to encourage MPs and the parliament to improve interaction with the electorate. This resulted in a project entitled ‘Strengthening the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago’. The project commenced with the preparation of a Comprehensive Strategic Development Plan 2013–2018, and the design of a multi-year project document to support its implementation. The strategic plan was adopted in 2013 and sets out to test every aspect of the parliament’s work, including government oversight, legislative processes, representation of the people, and its capacity to run itself. A project management board has been established to monitor and evaluate the parliament’s strengthening initiatives, comprising the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate, the Clerk of the House, the Clerk of the Senate and representatives of the UNDP. In 2014, the process of reform commenced with the adoption of the revised Standing Orders of the House of Representatives, which established several important new committees, streamlined the election of the Speaker, and introduced Prime Minister’s Question Time and Urgent Questions. Additionally, a major element of the reform which is aimed at making parliament functionally independent of the government has been initiated. Independence or autonomy as envisioned will mean the parliament’s ability, independent of government, to appoint its staff, determine the fi nancial resources it requires and decide on its internal governance. A Joint Select Committee has been established and a prepolicy paper has been prepared and submitted for stakeholders’ comments. Statement by Senator the Honourable Raziah Ahmed, President of the Senate Reform of governance structures A strong and dynamic parliament is an essential facet of a vibrant democracy. To achieve the vision, by 2018, of being ‘a modern Parliament that fulfi ls its constitutional duties to its fullest extent, that effectively serves the people of Trinidad and Tobago’, our strategic plan is focused on four broad areas of activity. First, we shall increase the institutional capacity of the parliament and our secretariat. Second, we shall improve the legislative process in parliament to ensure enhanced scrutiny and quality of legislation. Third, we shall improve capacity to provide effective oversight, and fourth, we shall extend the outreach work of parliament, even as we strengthen the representative role of MPs. Since 2014, several milestones have been met toward the achievement of these goals. Parliament of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago www.ttparliament.org Wade Mark Raziah Ahmed


CEP template 2012
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