Speeches by Dr. Douglas De Couto, JP, MP

15 Mar 2023 Senate

Official Hansard Report - Senate

365 words

Thank you. In Head 38, with the Tax Commissioner, I would like to understand how the Government arrived at the target figure of $7.5 million for the debt collection and not perhaps a higher figure. Thank you. [Pause] Sen. Arianna Hodgson: It is quite a short answer. But there was a question about the means by which the Gaming Commission …

15 Mar 2023 Senate

Official Hansard Report - Senate

81 words

It was more a comment on the payroll tax collection. Because the employer has collected for the government and [not] paid it, the employer does not pay the government. They in fact are stealing from their employees. So I appreciate that there c an be tough times for companies, but I do not think we can really support businesses that …

15 Mar 2023 Senate

Official Hansard Report - Senate

160 words

Yes, if I might follow up actually on the most recent question that Senator Wight raised about, Why are overhead or pensions and health insurance going down, but salaries and wages are going up? And I appreciate the comment about the ebbs and flows. But it seems to me if we are going to reduce the amount that we are …

15 Mar 2023 Senate

Official Hansard Report - Senate

47 words

Yes, Madam Chairman. I believe I have a question outstanding on the Bermuda infrastructure fund costs. There were some detailed questions about the customs and courier duty costs. And I had two outstanding questions on the BCB mortgage guarantee. I believe that would be that. Thank you.

15 Mar 2023 Senate

Official Hansard Report - Senate

13 words

It is the infrastructure fund. Sen. Arianna Hodgson: Oh, the infrastructure fund. Sorry.

15 Mar 2023 Senate

Official Hansard Report - Senate

9 words

You answered the InnoFund one. Thank you, Junior Minister.

2 Mar 2023 Senate

Official Hansard Report - Senate

19 words

Point of order, Madam President. The President: Senator De Couto, what is your point of order? POINT OF ORDER

2 Mar 2023 Senate

Official Hansard Report - Senate

2,249 words

I believe the Senator is misrepresenting my statements, misleading the Se nate with — Sen. the Hon. Owen Darrell: Madam President, I will say this. I do not have the particulars because I am not going to spend much time on it. But anybody with a listening ear on this debate today can tell that Sen ator De Couto’s comments …

2 Mar 2023 Senate

Official Hansard Report - Senate

439 words

Thank you, Madam President. I would l ike to associate myself also with the many condolences that we have heard. And I will not go into detail on them. I just wanted to highlight a couple of outstan ding achievements I have seen in the athletic world over the past month. And as always, these are just a selection. There …

14 Dec 2022 Senate

Official Hansard Report - Senate

115 words

Thank you, Madam President. Of course, Senator Smith is not here. I know he would love to speak to this. Certainly, we commend allowing this premiere facility providing more access to our local athletes. Would this access i nclude the pool? That is my first question. Sen. the Hon. Owen Darrell: Madam President, teams that are currently using the National …

14 Dec 2022 Senate

Official Hansard Report - Senate

21 words

I have a second question. The President: You may ask it now. QUESTION 2: INCREASED ACCESS TO THE NATIONAL SPORT CENTRE

14 Dec 2022 Senate

Official Hansard Report - Senate

84 words

Would the Minister be able to provide an estimate of the additional costs i ncurred by this and if they are included in the budget or not? Thank you. Sen. the Hon. Owen Darrell: That is an excellent question, Madam President, and I would invite the Honourable Senator to read the Sports Policy, where it does say that in order …

14 Dec 2022 Senate

Official Hansard Report - Senate

35 words

Madam President, my question was, Did he have an estimate as to the act ual amount? Sen. the Hon. Owen Darrell: Over $600,000 over the next five years. It is in the policy, Madam President.

14 Dec 2022 Senate

Official Hansard Report - Senate

25 words

Thank you. The President: Thank you, Minister. 52 14 December 2022 Official Hansard Report Bermuda Senate Senator De Couto, do you have any additional questions?

14 Dec 2022 Senate

Official Hansard Report - Senate

522 words

No. The President: Would any other Senator care to ask questions on this Statement? Senator Robin Tucker, you have the floor. QUESTION 1: INCREASED ACCESS TO THE NATIONAL SPORT CENTRE Sen. Robin Tucker: Thank you, Madam Presi dent. My question really is just around the fact that the Statement read that football and cricket are Ber-muda’s national sports. So my …

14 Dec 2022 Senate

Official Hansard Report - Senate

162 words

Yes. Thank you, Madam President, and I am grateful for this opportunity to ask questi ons, and I am grateful to the Government for providing this detailed Statement in response to my previously written questions. As you know, I have not had the best success with those, so I am thankful. Going to my questions, I have taken care to …

14 Dec 2022 Senate

Official Hansard Report - Senate

29 words

Oh, yes. I will be happy to do that. The President: Please do so at this time. QUESTION 2: UPDATE ON THE TYNES BAY WASTE -TO-ENERGY FACILITY REFURBISHMENT PROGRAMME

14 Dec 2022 Senate

Official Hansard Report - Senate

103 words

So my s econd question would be, How would you break down that $22 million between monies spent locally with local firms and workers and so forth, or within the government staff, versus spent overseas, whether it be for equipment or for overseas consultants, speci alised knowledge workers, things like that? Bermuda Senate And if you will allow me, Madam …

14 Dec 2022 Senate

Official Hansard Report - Senate

380 words

Thank you. Can the Government provide an estimate of the relativity between the per person cost for a local worker, whether they be a local contractor or the gov-ernment, versus one of the overseas workers? And frankly, I would be happy with a, It’s more, it’s less or it’s the same. Thank you, Madam President. Those are my three questions. …

14 Dec 2022 Senate

Official Hansard Report - Senate

90 words

Thank you. I certainly appreciate that, Senator Robinson, and I appreciate the effort put into the detail. Thank you, Madam President. The President: Thank you. If there are no further questions on this Statement, we will then move on to the final S tatement that was given by Senator Arianna Hodgson, Junior Minister of Finance. And that was on the …