Senior Minister Finnegan Dishes on Introduction of Unelected Ministers to Cabinet

Michael Finnegan

This afternoon, senior parliamentarian Michael Finnegan shared his thoughts on the new ministerial appointments.

Isani Cayetano

“It would seem as if though two of the most powerful portfolios within the respective ministries in government have been given to nonelected officials. Attorney General Vanessa Retreage is also the Minister of Natural Resources; that’s one of the bigger portfolios and now we are seeing that Doctor Carla Barnett’s name is attached to the Ministry of Finance and her C.E.O. now becomes Joseph Waight. What is your opinion and what do you make of that as a senior parliamentarian to see these changes and these positions being given to people who aren’t elected?”

Michael Finnegan, Area Representative, Mesopotamia

“Let me tell you something, this started way back with leader emeritus, the Honorable George Price—George price who we all love—started way back with Assad Shoman. Dickie Bradley lost twice and was made minister and I can go on and on. There is nothing wrong with any government—whether it is the U.D.P. government or otherwise—utilizing the intellectual capacity of people outside parliament. There is nothing wrong with that and there is no powerful ministry more than the other one. We all have equal say in cabinet; we get the same salary. No minister get more salary than the other one. So I noh see how we arrive at the situation that this ministry is so all powerful. Maybe you work harder in a ministry over the other. But that is all; so what’s with that.”

Reporter

“Sir can’t one take away from this that the reason why these changes are being made is because the U.D.P. government remains under fire?”

Michael Finnegan

“What changes?”

Reporter

“Changes for Vanessa Retreage, Doctor Carla Barnett, Godwin Hulse…”

Michael Finnegan

“No man…Godwin Hulse started out with us in cabinet. The Prime Minister is looking for talent, looking for brains, for people that can contribute to his cabinet. The Prime Minister is looking for most importantly integrity. So what is wrong with that? I don’t see anything at all wrong with that. The Prime Minister is looking for honesty and he is looking for integrity. I am not saying that there is not honesty or there is not integrity inside of government, but he is looking for honesty and integrity outside of the parliament and place them within his cabinet. I don’t see anything wrong with that.”

Isani Cayetano

“It is interesting that you would say that he is looking for honesty and integrity. Might that be the reason why or does that inform his decision to move Godwin Hulse to become the Minister of Police, in light of all that has happened?”

Michael Finnegan

“No, Godwin is so talented. Godwin was first placed in the Ministry of Immigration and he straighten out immigration and there are all new procedures and format in the Ministry of Immigration. And as the Prime Minister said the land department is a hotbed of corruption and Godwin was sent in there also to see if he an revitalize, revision the ministry.”