Robert Morgan and Phillip Paulwell have sent a firm message to Members of Parliament: absenteeism and consistent lateness will not be tolerated when the new legislative year opens.

Morgan, deputy leader of government business in the House, and Paulwell, leader of Opposition business, made the joint position known in an interview with journalists after the Opening Ceremony for the Orientation of Members of Parliament on Tuesday at Gordon House.

For years, absenteeism has been a sore subject in Jamaican politics, with critics pointing to rows of empty seats during debates and thinly attended committee meetings.

Committees, in particular, are often described as the “engine room” of parliamentary work, where legislation is examined in detail and Government spending is scrutinised. Yet, past reports have shown that some members rarely appear, raising questions about whether the nation’s lawmakers are fulfilling their duties.

But, Paulwell said the Opposition had agreed to make punctuality and consistent attendance a priority in the new term.

“As part of my own orientation with my members, we made that point absolutely clear. We are not going to tolerate absenteeism. In fact, we are insisting on punctuality. So you’re going to find in this score of Opposition members that we’re going to be here on time, and we’re going to be here in good numbers, and very importantly, in relation to the oversight committees, we intend to be very active and vigorous,” said Paulwell.

Morgan echoed the sentiment, acknowledging that attendance had fallen short in the past but expressing optimism that the situation would change in this cycle.

“There’s always room for improvement. We know that there are some members who did not attend as much as they should, but I think we’re turning a new leaf, it’s a new parliamentary group. Everyone has been renewed in their mandate so there will be efforts,” he said.

In the meantime, Paulwell highlighted concerns over the public’s limited engagement with parliamentary meetings, noting that he hopes to see improvement in this area during the current term.

“People need to watch the Parliament and we have to find a way to make it far more interesting because people believe that it’s boring or that we are fighting each other inside and not conducting the business as we should. So I’m hoping that as we start this new term there will be that education that will take place and that even when we get up to speak sometimes we must remember that there’s a public out there who needs the explanation,” he said.

Morgan, who also stressed the importance of public participation, acknowledged that while some Jamaicans may be discouraged by heated debates, such exchanges stem from passion rather than hostility.

“I think there have been occasions where persons in the public may misunderstand the robustness of debate. Sometimes the parliamentarians go too far, we admit that. But this is the business of the country. This is the most important deliberative body in the country. The laws that are passed here impact the lives of every single Jamaican, even Jamaicans who don’t live in Jamaica so there will be passions ignited at times, there will be strong, aggressive approaches by both sides in defence of whatever objective they have and I think that’s something that we need to understand,” Morgan said.

He added that the public should understand that strong debate isn’t the same as conflict, and that he, House Leader Floyd Green, and Paulwell are working to ensure discussions are managed so the public can see and appreciate the parliamentary proceedings.

Government Members of Parliament (back row, from left) Andrew Morris, St Elizabeth North Western; Donovan Williams, Clarendon Central; Audrey Marks, Manchester North Eastern; Heroy Clarke, St James Central; and (front row, from left) Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert, Trelawny Southern; Duane Smith, St Andrew North Western; Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, St Andrew West Rural; and Robert Morgan, Clarendon North Central at the Opening Ceremony for the Orientation of Members of Parliament on Tuesday at Gordon House.

Opposition Members of Parliament (back row, from foreground) Natalie Neita-Garvey, St Catherine North Central; Dr Kenneth Russel, St Ann South Eastern; Richard Azan, Clarendon North Western; Damion Crawford, St Catherine North Western, and (front row, from foreground) Phillip Paulwell, Kingston Eastern and Port Royal; Julian Robinson, St Andrew South Eastern; Angela Brown-Burke, St Andrew South Western; and Andrea Purkiss, Hanover Eastern at the Opening Ceremony for the Orientation of Members of Parliament on Tuesday at Gordon House.