KINGSTON, Jamaica — As the Standing Finance Committee continued its late-night examination of the Estimates of Expenditure ahead of next week’s Budget Debate, tempers briefly flared when Opposition Spokesman on Health, Dr Alfred Dawes, told Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie to “go home and play with his grandchildren”.

The exchange unfolded while the committee was reviewing the spending plans for the Ministry of Health and Wellness for the upcoming financial year. Dawes had been pressing officials about matters relating to the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), a line of questioning that appeared to irritate several Government members seated in the chamber.

As the questioning continued, frustration among Government Members of Parliament (MP) became more visible, prompting Dawes to challenge McKenzie’s involvement in the discussion at that stage of the proceedings.

His remark quickly drew objections from Government members, who labelled the comment disrespectful and out of order, particularly given McKenzie’s long tenure in Jamaican politics.

The committee then slipped into several minutes of heated off-microphone exchanges as members from both sides reacted to the statement.

Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton eventually intervened, urging calm and reminding Dawes of McKenzie’s veteran status in public life. He then appealed for members to return their focus to the issues concerning the ministry.

With tensions easing, the committee resumed its scrutiny of the ministry’s spending proposals and continued questioning officials about the allocations and programmes planned for the new financial year.