This afternoon, Arvin Boolell, on a point of law, asked that he be allowed to speak on the IBA (Amendment) Bill. He explained that last Friday, it was agreed that Minister Vikram Hurdoyal was going to ask for adjournment. He said that he was abroad at the time and was surprised that the debate continued. Navina Ramyad, Government Chief Whip, explained that it had never been decided that the Minister of Public Service will ask for the adjournment of the proceedings. The Speaker then gave his ruling. He explained that it is tradition for the list of speakers to be decided by the two whips. He added that the practice is that if a member is not in the chamber when it is his or her turn to speak on a bill, he or she loses the right to speak. Opposition members then went on a walk-out.
During the summing-up of debates on the IBA (Amendment) Bill, Pravind Jugnauth started by denouncing what he called “Boolell’s cinema”. He said that the leader of the PTr could have come to Parliament on Tuesday, November 23. But he did not. He missed two sessions, he said. He added that last Friday, he expected to see the Honourable Boolell make his entrance. But he never showed up. He added that once Arvin Boolell lost his turn, he contested.
