Article Image Alt Text

Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Senator Lisa Cummins.

Minister Cummins: I apologise

Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Senator Lisa Cummins, has offered an apology for attending the sitting of the Senate earlier this week to take part in the debate on the Integrity in Public Life Bill.

On Wednesday afternoon, when President of the Senate Sir Richard Cheltenham read correspondence from the Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kenneth George, indicating that Cummins had tested COVID-negative and was cleared to resume her duties in the Senate, concern about her presence was raised by Opposition Senator Caswell Franklyn, as well as Independent Senator Monique Taitt. Cummins was subsequently allowed to enter the Chamber, but not before Taitt, Franklyn and his Opposition colleague, Senator Crystal Drakes, exited the Chamber. At the time, Cummins defended her decision, citing that she was declared negative and had written confirmation.

Cummins’ apology came in a statement released yesterday evening, where she explained that she was instructed by the health authorities to self-monitor for a period of seven days and was given a COVID-19 test on Tuesday of this week. The Minister indicated that on Wednesday morning just after 5 a.m., she received the results of the test and was advised at the time that she was COVID-negative and not infectious. The Minister was a member of a group representing the Government, who welcomed the contingent of nurses from Ghana last week Thursday, nine of whom tested positive on arrival and another three tested positive yesterday.

“COVID-19, as all of us [know], certainly especially those of us in policymaking and who interacted with this in any way, shape or form over the last few months, has been a global pandemic that has resulted in anxieties, fears, concerns and genuine discomfort for many people the world over, Barbados has been no different. To that extent, I am comfortable that it is the right thing to do to apologise,” she stated.

She continued, “I have always prided myself on the ability to make proper decisions, measured choices, sensible choices that take into account not just myself but those around me, and I wish that on this occasion I could have made a different decision. If I had to do it all over again, I most certainly would.”

The Minister, reflecting also on the Integrity in Public Life Bill, which was defeated in the Senate on Wednesday evening on account of inadequate votes, said it is an issue she believes in and she is “deeply disappointed” that they “were unable to get the support of everyone around this important piece of legislation”.

“We have invested a significant amount of time in consultations and in resources to ensure we had the best piece of legislation that covers all aspects of integrity in public life. I remain committed to ensuring that this piece of legislation becomes a part of the Government’s arsenal to ensure we protect the people of Barbados,” she said.

With that in mind, she indicated her apology is in keeping with her stance to “practise integrity and to do the right things, for the right reasons at all times”.

Barbados Advocate

Mailing Address:
Advocate Publishers (2000) Inc
Fontabelle, St. Michael, Barbados

Phone: (246) 467-2000
Fax: (246) 434-2020 / (246) 434-1000