President of the Senate Hon Alvina Reynolds has attempted to rubbish claims she says were made on the local talk show News-spin hosted by Timothy Poleon.
The senate president claim that, on the show, her appointment as a Civil Status Marriage Officer was brought into question and that her presidency constituted full-time employment therefore disqualifying her from serving as a marriage officer.
The senate president says, “while the Office respects the right of media practitioners to raise questions about public officials, it is important that such discussions are guided by an accurate understanding of the laws and constitutional arrangements governing our parliamentary institutions.”
Ms Reynolds contends that “Section 29 of the Constitution provides for the election of the President of the Senate from among the members of the Upper House.
Importantly, Section 124(2)(a) of the Constitution distinguishes the offices of President of the Senate and Senator from positions in the public service for the purposes of interpreting the Constitution.”
She suggested that Poleon was guided by Section 17(5)(a) of the Civil Status Act which indicates that a person who holds full-time employment is disqualified from appointment as a marriage officer.
“The Office wishes to make it clear that Hon. Alvina Reynolds does not hold any separate full-time employment, whether in the public or private sector.”
“The Office therefore respectfully invites Mr. Poleon to identify the legal provision or official classification upon which he relied in describing the presidency of the Senate as full-time employment.
Should no such authority be available, the Office trusts that he will take the opportunity to clarify the matter for the benefit of his audience.
The Office of the President of the Senate remains committed to upholding the Constitution, respecting the laws of Saint Lucia and maintaining the dignity of Parliament.
It welcomes informed discussion and legitimate public scrutiny of the conduct and responsibilities of parliamentary officeholders.”
The written statement, signed by Reynolds, claimed that “holding a parliamentary office is not the same as being employed in an ordinary full-time government position.”