HOLNESS… insisted on Bill’s passage with a Government majority sitting in the House of Representatives

THE House of Representatives last night finally passed the long-delayed National Identification and Registration Act with 100 amendments, most of which were brought by the Government in response to issues arising from the original draft.

The final hurdle for the Bill was the contentious Clause Nine and the First Schedule, that deal with the establishment of a board of management of the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) which carries the details of how the 19-member board will operate.

The House also dealt with two critical sets of questions related to two issues which have divided the Government and the Opposition recently: The memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Government and China Construction America (South America Division) regarding a master development proposal for the “government campus” around National Heroes Circle, which will include a new Parliament building; and answers to questions which had been raised by the late Member of Parliament for St Mary South Eastern Dr Winston Green about rehabilitating the Junction main road in St Mary.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Opposition Leader Dr Peter Phillips also expressed sympathy with victims and residents of regional islands who suffered from the effects of recent hurricanes, including Irma and Maria.

Voting on the much-anticipated National Identification and Registration Act eventually took place at minutes to eight o’clock last night after a passionate debate in which Holness and Phillips were the main speakers.

In an impassioned plea for a further delay, Dr Phillips stated that responses to issues he had raised about the Bill were only received by him on Monday.

He urged the prime minister to consider referring it to a joint select committee of the House.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/house-finally-passes-national-id-bill_111448