By Ariana Gordon

SPEAKER of the National Assembly Dr Barton Scotland yesterday reminded parliamentarians of the need to conduct themselves professionally and in accordance with the Code of Ethics relative to their positions.“The Office of the Speaker of the National Assembly must be held in strict regard by all Honourable members at all times,” said Dr Scotland.
The Speaker made it clear that he will not tolerate disrespect and will move to take action against persons who act untoward to that which is expected.
He said too that even if members of the House are dissatisfied with the ruling of the Speaker, it is important that respect is shown. The Speaker stated that numerous complaints were put before him and he intends to address those complaints.
“The dignity and respect must be upheld by all honourable members at all times,” said the Speaker.
Dr Scotland noted with disappointment comments attributed to a “junior” member of the National Assembly placed on social media criticisng the work of the House.
“When a very junior member of this House makes use of the electronic media to attempt to lampoon certain honourable members of this house…if you make comments of the speaker or the holder of that office then the honourable member is either unaware of his duties and obligations towards this house or the honourable member acted in a reckless and carless regard of those transgressions.”
Earlier this year, People’s Progressive Party Civic’s (PPP) Member of Parliament Nigel Dharamlall had posted strong criticism of the Speaker on his Facebook page. Dharamlall had said that the Speaker would “go down as the most disgusting speaker” of all time.
The Opposition MP stated that he believes the Speaker is biased and as such operated in a manner contrary to his post.
Dr Scotland said he was informed that the posts by the “junior” MP were removed and stressed that “the honourable members be more committed to the maintenance of dignity in this house.”
At the start of Wednesday’s sitting of the House some eight weeks after suspension, the Speaker said he is in receipt of several complaints by members of the House and will move to address all matters brought before him.
Additionally, Dr Scotland said the frequency to which parliamentarians meet is cause for concern. “I have been pondering on whether the frequency of our meetings leave honourable members satisfied,” he said.
The Speaker during the 36th Sitting of the 11th Parliament made it known that it is his intention to address the issues raised at an “appropriate time” to enter into consultation with the governing and opposition sides of the House on the frequency of meetings both in the House and the Committees.
Dr Scotland noted too that June will mark one year of the 11th Parliament and as such he deems it fitting that the operation of the House be assessed.
Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira who was vocal during Wednesday’s sitting said she was not at all pleased with the infrequency of meetings and sessions.
In March, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo lashed out at the Opposition party for failing to attend Parliamentary Management Committee meetings among others. The Leader of the House described the situation as unfortunate, while noting that PPP had complained about lack of sittings of the National Assembly.
“The work of Parliament is not only in the National Assembly, lots of work has to be done at the level of committees and this is being affected,” he had told the Guyana Chronicle.
Nagamootoo said the Parliamentary Management Committee constitutes a very important function of the parliamentary system and should not be taken lightly. He said too that the opposition has not been attending some of the other committees.
He said the attacks by the PPP on the adjournment of the National Assembly until May 4 was “disingenuous,” given that that party while in power “strangled Parliament for nine continuous months between July 2014 and April 2015 by proroguing Parliament, then dissolving the House when the PPP was faced with a no-confidence motion.”