The Speaker of the House of Assembly says he is going to be naming members and revoking speaking privileges in the House of Assembly if MHAs can’t keep the chirping and cat calls down to a minimum.
NDP Leader Jim Dinn
The issue was raised as a Point of Privilege in the House of Assembly by NDP Leader Jim Dinn prior to debate on legislation to create a Disability Advocate’s Office.
“Good debate, give and take, I don’t mind that, but this chirping., I will say it’s worse in these last three days I think, than what I’ve seen in the last six years I’ve been here” said Dinn.
Independent member, Eddie Joyce
The Independent member for Bay of Islands, and the MHA with the longest amount of time in the House of Assembly, Eddie Joyce, agreed.
“Not only is the chirping continuous, it’s getting so personal,” says Joyce. “And this is the first time in my twenty-something years in this House, that I had to wear an earphone to hear answers or questions.”
Speaker Paul Lane says he’ll make a ruling in the coming days, but says he’s ready to take action.
“Hopefully we can reflect over the weekend, but when we come back next week, if I continue to hear this, I’m going to start naming members,” he said in scolding members of the House.
“And I’m sure that’s not something that your constituents want to hear your name in a negative light. And if it continues after that, I will be revoking speaking privileges in the House. It’s a sad thing that I even have to talk about this. It really is a sad thing.”
