Debate on Foreign Services Bills Ends Abruptly After MPs Argue

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Debate on the Foreign Services Bill 2024 and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bill 2024 came to an abrupt end Wednesday morning after Opposition Leader Michael Pintard sought to address the matter that led to their two-session suspension.

This is the first session for the official Opposition since they were suspended back in December.

Pintard rose to contribute to the debate but was seeking to speak out on what he called misinformation about injuries to the deputy speaker and sergeant-at-arms when the mace was thrown out of the window.

Pintard says the statements came days after the matter.

But the opposition leader didn’t get far. Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell quickly rose on a point of order saying it wasn’t the time nor the place.

He insisted the focus should be on the bills and not rehashing what happened weeks ago.

But Pintard wasn’t backing down. He again sought to continue saying the Bahamian public has the right to hear from the opposition about what happened.

Mitchell threatened that should Pintard not stick to the script, he would end the debate. Pintard did say that the opposition would support the bills.

As for what they were there to debate, the Foreign Services Bill makes provision for the establishment of the Department of Foreign Affairs; the administration of the foreign service; the establishment of The Bahamas’ Alrae Ramsey Institute of Foreign Affairs and related purposes.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bill repeals and replaces the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Act. It was passed but the entire Opposition caucus present opposed the bills.