The Tribune

HOUSE Speaker Patricia Deveaux told members of Parliament she was “ashamed” by actions that took place in the House of Assembly yesterday, describing certain behaviour as unparliamentary.

“There are several situations I’d like to address before we meet again,” she told members after last night’s debate ended.

“One, when members rise from this day forward, they will say to me whether it’s a point of order, point of clarification and you’ll respect the member and the other member will sit. There will not be two members on their feet. I allowed it to happen today because I want to clarify your behaviour today.”

She also told members that noises from cell phones and laptops will not be tolerated going forward.

“Respect,” she said. “This is the people’s House. This is not our house. They put us here to do a job. After today, you will meet a new Speaker in this chair... and I don’t want any member to tell me from this day forward whether I allow a point of order or not.

“I allow members to get up, I hear them, I make the final decision. No member will tell me what is a point of order or not from this day forward.

“I am here to bring respect to this chair. And whether you like it or not, respect will be given from all sides. I am ashamed of the behaviour today and it will not go any further. Now I want you to go and think on those things.”

Her admonishment drew laughter from the opposition bench, prompting a row in the House between the Speaker and those on that side. “Is it funny?” she asked, pointing to opposition members. “I want to know, is it funny? Did I make a joke?”

An opposition member asked for an opportunity to answer the question, to which the Speaker said the member must answer “yes, or no,” as to whether her remarks were funny.

The opposition member then said from his seat that the Speaker was not talking to children.

“I am not talking to children, but do not act as children,” Ms Deveaux said, before rising to her feet after an opposition member stood and sought to speak.

She accused opposition members of making a mockery of the chair by laughing at her remarks. She also told one seated opposition member that he was being disrespectful and threatened to have him removed from the chamber before the situation calmed down.

The House of Assembly will meet again on Wednesday.