Earlier in the news we showed you what went on in the first half of the House Meeting. And while things were relatively calm during those few debates, the back and forth heated up in the adjournment. Party Leader Patrick Faber rose to speak on the issue of transparency and accountability in regards to the Smart/BTL issue. But, he began straying to another topic - the pharmaceutical contracts that Minister Michel Chebat spoke of earlier. That's when the speaker hit the brakes, telling him to stick to a single issue. But Faber would not let it go, and he and the speaker got into it.
Valerie Woods, Speaker of the House
"I have been in this chair for at least 7 meetings and on the matter on standing order 13 and I appreciate the broad categories can lend us down a path that contravenes standing order 13, therefore member of Collet I am asking you to restrict your comments to that matter of public concern. I have given you leeway by using transparency and accountability where you stated the matter of public concern being that of BTL and SMART matter. Now you are entering into another one. At this rate there may be 10-12 if I continue to allow you to use the broad term to be so creative with it. I ask you to confine your comments to the singular matter."
Hon. Patrick Faber, Area Representative, Collet
"Madam Speaker, guided. If you don't want me to talk about these contracts that were given to the member for Corozal Bay sister-in-law and the CEO's sister's company getting these pharmaceutical company these contracts..."
Valerie Woods, Speaker of the House
"Member I am addressing you. There is a standing order that refers to no member referring to my conduct. It's not me. You just said earlier member, "if you don't want me" addressing, responding to me after I made a point of order clarification to you. To be clear, it's not about me. And I want that on the record. Thank you."
Hon. Patrick Faber, Area Representative, Collet
"Guided Madam Speaker and if I came across that I was attacking you in any way, I apologized. But Madam Speaker, the truth is that on the opposition side, we have a right to speak and you know I listen to my colleague's complaint earlier this week that again she put forward a question and you disallowed the question on what was paid to the governor of Central Bank?..."
Valerie Woods, Speaker of the House
"Member for Collet I will ask you take your seat."
The speaker then cautioned him not to question her conduct by insinuating that she allows and disallows things on whim. Faber stood up to defend his comments, and that's when the PM decided to throw in a few punches too.
Hon. Patrick Faber, Area Representative, Collet
"You are the chief decision maker; you decide what goes on. And so if we can't say that you made a decision and we can't raise our concern about it, then how can that be fair? We might not be able to change Madam Speaker, in fact what you said prevail today. My friend did not ask the question as to what the governor was paid. She didn't get to ask that question. I am hoping that the prime minister will still answer us."
Valerie Woods, Speaker of the House
"Member, I am going to ask you to be in your seat for the rest of the proceedings just resume your seat. Thank you."
"You are going to respond Prime Minister...?"
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"I am going to respond to the honorable member from... I think that he just messed up everything from the member of Albert asking for bipartisanship and for us to be more decent with one another. I could see why he is sitting over there and not where over this end and where he is now known as Mr. 47%, because that's all he got from his party. He can't even get 50% because of that very same kind of behavior. How did the leader of the opposition refer to him: he shouldn't be on the morning show winding and crying sounding like a wounded hog."
Valerie Woods, Speaker of the House
"Mr. Prime Minister."
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"I am quoting the leader of the opposition."
Valerie Woods, Speaker of the House
"Allow me to respond member for Collet."
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"He behaves like a child, like a baby. I guess the therapy is not working."
Valerie Woods, Speaker of the House
"Mr. Prime Minister, I beg you to take that back, please."
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Well, I am no therapist, I probably will take it back, but maybe he didn't take his meds or something, but that's okay."
