Post Cabinet Briefing Summary – Thursday 9th June, 2016

The Honourable Stuart Young, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister and the Office of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs, addressed members of the media during the Post Cabinet Press Briefing today (Thursday 9th June, 2016) at the Office of the Prime Minister, St. Clair, Port of Spain.

Minister Young reported on a significant decision taken by the Cabinet as part of the continued fight against crime – the extension of legislative provisions which deal with the availability of bail for specified offences. These offences include kidnapping for ransom, gang related activities and the illegal possession of firearms.

At present, persons charged with the aforementioned offences are not eligible for bail. However, these legislative provisions come up for expiry in two (2) months – August 2016. It is the Government’s intent to solicit the Opposition’s support for the extension of these provisions as the legislation requires a special majority vote.

Minister Young expressed that the Government looks forward to the Opposition’s support as they continue the fight against crime and highlighted that, while in Opposition, the People’s National Movement (PNM) supported this legislation as a weapon against the criminal element.

The Government is seeking to extend these legislative provisions for two (2) years – until August 2018. The legislation will be referred to as the Miscellaneous Provisions (Anti-Gang and Bail) Bill 2016 and is scheduled to be presented to the Parliament in a few weeks – before the Parliament goes on recess.