Why was the tobago house of assembly established

General Objectives. To ensure that the Tobago House of Assembly, its Committees and Constituency Offices have the necessary procedural, administrative and research support so that all functions can be effectively carried out.

To provide all members with the requisite parliamentary advice and assistance, regardless of party affiliation or office. To be efficient and effective in the service delivered, while at the same time, ensuring that resources are utilised responsibly and to their maximum capacity.

The Constitution provides that when the House of Representatives first meets after any general election and before it proceeds to the dispatch of any other business, it shall elect a person to be the Speaker of the House from among members of the House who are not Ministers or Parliamentary Secretaries.

Persons who are not members of either the House of Representatives and Senate may also be elected provided he is a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago and is not disqualified for election as a member of the House of Representatives. The Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago recognizes that Parliament may regulate its own procedures and that an order of the House of Representatives is a legitimate decision of the house. Our constitution provides for the House of Representatives to elect a person to preside over it as a Speaker of the House either from among the members of the House of Representatives or from among persons who are not members of the either House.

Section 5 provides for the Speaker or, in the Speaker's absence, the Deputy Speaker, to preside in the House or on Committees. The Speaker's powers, function and duties may be categorized as manifold or multifunctional, and include traditional, ceremonial,statutory and constitutional duties. While presiding in the House, the chief characteristics required are authority and impartiality. The Speaker is required to give a completely objective interpretation of Standing Orders and precedent and is considered to be the guardian of the privileges of the members of the House of Representatives.

The Speaker presides over the debates in the House but cannot participate. The Speaker maintains order, enforces the rules as necessitated, interprets Standing Order and the practices of the House, deals with points of order and give rulings when called upon to do so. Current Speaker of the House of Representatives is Mrs. Brigid Annisette-Georger. Deputy Speaker is Mr. Esmond Forde.

Parliament makes laws for the peace, order and good governance of Trinidad and Tobago through Bills passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate, that are assented to by the President. For more information about the Parliament of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago visit the Parliament website. Legal proceedings for and against the State are taken:.

Apart from the Prime Minister, the Attorney General is the only member of the Cabinet specifically mentioned in the Constitution relating to the Executive. This may be because the Attorney General is responsible for the administration of legal affairs in Trinidad and Tobago and legal proceedings for and against the State. The Constitution also provides that in exercising his powers, the Attorney General shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority. He is also ex-officio, a judge of the High Court and can therefore sit in that Court.

The Constitution provides for the Chief Justice to be appointed by the President after consultation with the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. For more information about the Judiciary of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago visit the Judiciary website.

The Puisne Judges have in all respects equal power, authority and jurisdiction. The High Court is a superior court of record and unless as otherwise provided by Parliament shall have all the powers of such a court including all power as is vested in the Supreme Court of Trinidad and Tobago immediately before the commencement of the Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago There is vested in the High Court all such original jurisdiction as is vested in and exercisable by the High Court of Justice in England under the provisions of the Supreme Court of Judicature Consolidation Act U.

The other judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President acting in accordance with the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission. Appeals from the Court and the Board lie with the Court of Appeal. There are no Administrative Courts in Trinidad and Tobago, but there is a provision for an ombudsman under section 91 of the Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Act, The Court of Appeal is a superior court of record and unless as otherwise provided by Parliament, has all the powers of such a court.

In hearing appeals, the Court is comprised of three judges sitting together, except when the appeal is from a Summary Court or from the decision of a High Court in Chambers. In such cases, two judges would comprise the Court. It is a public one. Consequently, a Public Interest Desk was established to allow the public to give their input on governance of the island. After , the THA was formed into seven divisions, each representing a developmental concern.

Today the THA comprises two main arms, the Legislative Arm and the Executive Arm , and 10 divisions — nine with particular remits plus the Office of the Chief Secretary, which oversees the others. These functions are supported by the Assembly Legislature Secretariat and headed by the Presiding Officer.

The Clerk of the Assembly is responsible for the efficient discharge of functions of the business of the Assembly. The Executive arm of the Assembly is headed by the Chief Secretary in his capacity as leader of the Executive Council.

The Council has individual and collective responsibility for carrying out the tasks of the Assembly through its divisions. Each division is led by a secretary, with an administrator serving as the accounting officer responsible for producing the desired results of the division. The Chief Administrator is the most senior public officer in the administration and is attached to the Office of the Chief Secretary.

The elected Assembly continues for four years from the date of its first sitting after any primary election, and then stands dissolved unless the Assembly, by resolution, dissolves itself at an earlier date.

The President, after consultation with the Prime Minister and the Chief Secretary, fixes the date of a primary election. The date of that election must fall between two and three months after the dissolution of the Assembly.