Speaker, area rep quarrel over Standing Orders

But the bill to approve the Placencia road project did not pass without fuss as Area Representative for the Collet constituency Patrick Faber and Speaker of the House Elizabeth Zabaneh got into heated exchange when Faber rose on a point of order during a presentation by Caribbean Shores representative Jose Coye.

Jose Coye, Area Rep., Caribbean Shores
“I want to bring this to the notice of this house …”

Patrick Faber, Area Rep., Collet
“On a point …”

Jose Coye
“ … And to this country that that building of the road, the Placencia road, I am supporting the motion…”

[Patrick Faber talking, but inaudible because his mic is turned off]

Elizabeth Zabaneh, Speaker of the House
”Sit down Honourable member. Just a minute, let me finish here.”

Jose Coye
“I am not supporting the motion because of an investment on that peninsula. I am supporting the motion because I believe that the people of Placencia are deserving of having that piece of road.”

Elizabeth Zabaneh
“I am listening to the gentleman.”

Jose Coye
“I support the motion Madam Speaker, I support the motion.”

Elizabeth Zabaneh
“Yes sir, what is your point of order?”

[Audience making noise]

Patrick Faber, Area Rep., Collet
“This is clearly, Madam Speaker this is clearly the kind of abuse that you carry out on behalf of the People’s United Party. Madam Speaker we are tired of this kind of thing. When a member stands on a point of order, you noh listen to me so why should I listen to you? On a point of order you are obliged to listening to the members on either side of this House. You are abusing your power in this house. [audience making noise] You are abusing your power in this House! Are you about fair play any at all Madam Speaker? We have complained time and time again about your behaviour. Please give us the respect that we deserve! I represent the people of Collet in this constituency and when you did that just now, you disrespected the people of Collet and you disrespected all of these members over here and the people they represent, Madam Speaker.”

Dean Barrow
“Could I ask you Madam Speaker, to indicate to us whether in fact we are reading standing order number thirty-seven correctly? It seems to me that the words are plain. And whether in fact we can be assured that the standing order will be followed? Thank you.”

Elizabeth Zabaneh
“But there is a still a standing order that covers my action … standing order ninety, it still covers my actions. You all seem to be able to give but you are not able to take.”

Dean Barrow
“What are you talking about? That does not apply at all.”

Elizabeth Zabaneh
“Standing order ninety-one. Go ahead Honourable Member.”

Dean Barrow
“So you were wrong Madam Speaker?”

Elizabeth Zabaneh
“Yes I was wrong, it was ninety-one. I was quoting ninety-one.”

Dean Barrow
“But ninety-one still does not help you Madam Speaker, that does not help you. I just want to be clear you know, I’m not quarrelling with you. Are you telling us that you will ignore standing order thirty-seven during the course of these proceedings?”

Elizabeth Zabaneh
“No, I will not do that.”

Dean Barrow
“Much obliged. So on the next occasion one of us rises on a point of order, will you at least hear the point of order and make that determination?”

Elizabeth Zabaneh
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”

Dean Barrow
“How you mean? Noh man, then [inaudible] cross it because there will be hell to pay if you continue with this, there will be hell to pay. We are not going tolerate it.”