Let the court settle the issue of tabling Auditor General's reports in Parliament, NIA urges

Principal Director of National Integrity Action [NIA] Danielle Archer is suggesting that the court be asked to make a ruling on the issue of tabling of Auditor General reports in Parliament.

 

In light of differing views on the matter, Miss Archer believes there's an urgent need for "clarity" on the matter through the decision of the court.

 

"It is the courts (which) interpret the law, and since it seems that there's some uncertainty as to what the sections are, I think this is where the questions should be placed before them to provide a determination."

 

Miss Archer, speaking Monday on Radio Jamaica's Beyond the Headlines," argued that "it cannot be that the Speaker can make a ruling, in circumstances where there has been a custom, where the paramount importance is transparency, and in those circumstances, you are being told, as a civil servant, that it's inappropriate, because you are disobeying the ruling of the Speaker."

 

Ultimately, it is important to determine whether the ruling of the Speaker is correct," she concluded.

 

Jeanette Calder, Executive Director of Jamaica Accountability Meter Portal [JAMP], in the meantime, is also urging that the opinion of the Attorney General on the tabling of reports be made public, in light of contentious issues arising, in relation to reports sent to the House of Representatives.

 

 "We understand if the Speaker didn't think it needed to be shared, but with all the governance conundrum that's happening now... the people of Jamaica, who keep the lights on at the Attorney General's office, deserve to know what the Chamber says, " Ms Calder asserted.