Government Senator Lucille Moe has called for an adjustment to the regulations that would allow members of the Senate to participate in sittings remotely.
While making her first appearance since December in the Upper House on Wednesday, Moe complained about having to be physically present in the room at the Worthing Corporate Centre – the temporary location for meetings of the Senate and the House of Assembly – in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the necessity to be socially-distanced.
She pointed out that while the rules permitted members of the House of Assembly to participate in those sittings remotely, the same did not apply to the Senate.
“Why all these months can no provision be made for Senators?” Moe asked, as she observed that the required technology was already in place at the Worthing Corporate Centre.
Moe’s presence at today’s sitting comes two weeks after Opposition Senator Caswell Franklyn questioned repeated submission of excuses for her absence from meetings of the Senate. He suggested to Senate President Reginald Farley that Moe’s seat “must be declared vacant in accordance with the Constitution of Barbados”.
Moe’s appeal was made during her contribution to debate on a resolution to vest the former Glendairy Prisons property in Barbados Tourism Investment Inc. for tourism development. (GC)
