And while ti went over fairly smoothly, sparks flew when Senator Courtenay introduced the bill and disclosed that his firm Courtenay Coye LLP had acted for Fortis:
Eamon Courtenay, Leader of Government Business
"I wish to disclose to the Senate that for over a decade the law firm of which I'm a partner represents FORTIS Belize in the transaction underlying this bill."
Patrick Faber, UDP Senator
"Madam President, to begin with, to begin with, I don't understand how my friend, the leader of government business, so nonchalantly gets up and says that he has a conflict and expect us to just blink and look over that."
"In fact, Madam President, he now brings into question another senator as well who is his law partner at his law firm. So both of them, he has indicated, have acted - I'm not sure if he said just now that they continue to act for Fortis, but that has got to be a conflict."
"And so, Madam President, I would want to start there. These members should really recuse themselves from these proceedings, or at least the votes, if they have some stake."
Eamon Courtenay, Leader of Government Business
"My friend, Senator Faber, misrepresents what I said."
"I have, have never had, and will never have, any interest in Fortis Belize. Never ever. I am obliged if there is an issue in which a firm, in which I'm a partner, comes before the Senate to make the disclosure on the Senate floor. As I have done before, there is no provision unless he can find it, and there is none that disqualifies me from participating, having disclosed that my law firm advises Fortis Belize in a transaction that has concluded."
Patrick Faber, UDP Senator
"And he can try to be technical here, but it has got to be a major concern. Out of good conscience you should have recused yourself. How can you sit here telling me and the Belizean people that you will act in the best judgment on their part, on their behalf when in fact you have also said to Fortis Belize that you sir and your law firm will act on their behalf on these matters."
