This week in Parliament, our Progressives Opposition members will request updates on a range of pressing matters, including questions on the still unopened Mental Health Facility, strengthening the Misuse of Drugs Act regarding drugs like fentanyl, how is the CAL Barbados route doing and the impact of the proposed airport extension.

Here are the questions that will be asked: 

Hon Roy McTaggart – Leader of the Opposition & MP for George Town East: 

1. To Ask: The Hon Minister for Tourism & Ports (MP George Town Central)
“Can the Minister state (a) why the extension of the Owen Roberts Int’l.  Airport runway has been almost doubled from the original recommendations of the consultants to build 1,000 ft. of runway to now consideration that the planned extension will be 1,900 feet into the North Sound and (b) whether the consultants or the government have considered the increased environmental and other adverse impacts including on the passage of boats and on the communities that the longer runway extension will impinge on and (c) what steps the government will take to mitigate those impacts?”

2. To Ask: The Hon Deputy Premier & Minister for Financial Services & Commerce & Investment, Innovation and Social Development (MP West Bay South)

“What resources have the Ministry provided, or is providing, to support the network of Cayman Islands overseas offices?”

3. To Ask: The Hon Premier & Minister for Finance, Education, District Admin & Lands (MP Cayman Brac East)

“Will the Premier & Minister for Finance provide a full schedule of the fees and charges that have been increased, or planned to be increased, in 2024 and 2025 for core government and public sector entities, setting out the charge in 2023, revised charges for 2024 and 2025; the percentage increases over the 2023 figure; and the total additional revenue expected to be generated in each year?”

4. To Ask: The Hon Premier & Minister for Finance, Education, District Admin & Lands (MP Cayman Brac East)

“Will the Premier & Minister For Finance advise the house of the quantities of ‘non-monetary gold’, including gold bullion, imported into the Cayman Islands for the years 2019 through 2023 and a breakdown of the total revenue (including import duty, etc.) derived from the importation, and (b) what quantities and total revenues are projected for 2024 and 2025?”

5. To Ask: The Hon Premier & Minister for Finance, Education, District Admin & Lands (MP Cayman Brac East)

“Can the Premier & Minister For Finance tell the House what additional revenue was expected to be raised in 2024 and 2025 by the increase in stamp duty on “high-end” property that was announced in the budget but which she has now told the Chamber of Commerce has been reconsidered?”

6. To Ask: The Hon Premier & Minister for Finance, Education, District Admin & Lands (MP Cayman Brac East)

“Will the Premier update the House on the progress of any work undertaken across government and with the RCIPS to develop and implement an anti-gang strategy for the Cayman Islands?”

7. To Ask: The Hon Premier & Minister for Finance, Education, District Admin & Lands (MP Cayman Brac East)

“Will the Premier inform the House how many vacancies there are within the RCIPS for officers in neighbourhood policing teams and for police community support officers?”

8. To Ask: The Hon Premier & Minister for Finance, Education, District Admin & Lands (MP Cayman Brac East)

“Can the Premier and Minister for Finance say what measures are being taken to ensure that budget expenditure targets are kept or adjusted to ensure the projected surplus of about $43.0 million in 2024 and $53.2 million in 2025 will be achieved or exceeded?”

9. To Ask: The Hon Minister for Border Control, Labour & Culture (MP Bodden Town East)

“Can the Minister update the House on what is happening with the Minimum Wage Report presented to Government in October last year and when the Government intends to make it public and to put forward recommendations in regard to the report?”

Mr. Joey Hew – Deputy Leader of the Opposition & MP for George Town North:

1. To Ask: The Hon Deputy Premier & Minister for Financial Services & Commerce & Investment, Innovation and Social Development (MP West Bay South)

“Will the Minister advise the House what targets for improved customer service have been set for the NAU following the introduction of the improved systems announced on February 5th, 2024?”

2. To Ask: The Hon Minister for Sustainability & Climate Resiliency (MP West Bay Central)

“Will the Minister tell the House how many years of use are left at the George Town Landfill if filling continues at the current rate?”

3. To Ask: The Hon Minister for Planning, Agriculture, Housing & Infrastructure (MP North Side)

“Will the Hon. Minister update the House on (a) whether the Deloitte Report “Assessment of a Public Transport Strategy” has been accepted by Cabinet and is being actioned, and (b) What is being planned in the current budget to advance improvements in public transportation?”

4. To Ask: The Hon Minister for Planning, Agriculture, Housing & Infrastructure (MP North Side)

“Will the Hon. Minister advise the House on what progress is expected this year and on reviewing the National Development Plan?”

5. To Ask: The Hon Minister for Planning, Agriculture, Housing & Infrastructure (MP North Side)

“Will the Hon. Minister update the House on the Progress of completing (a) the Eddie Sanchez Memorial Park and (b) the Seafarers Park?”

Mr. Moses Kirkconnell – MP for Cayman Brac West & Little Cayman:

1. To Ask: The Hon Minister for Tourism & Ports (MP George Town Central)

“Will the Minister update the House on (a) the number of paying passengers travelling on Cayman Airways between the Cayman Islands and Barbados since the route was launched, (b) what are the forward bookings for the route out to September 2024, (c) what is the amount of increased business that Cayman Airways has seen on the Los Angeles route with the introduction of the extra flights as part of the arrangements with Barbados?”

2. To Ask: The Hon Minister for Tourism & Ports (MP George Town Central)

“Can the Minister update the House on plans over this year to improve airlift for Cayman Brac and Little Cayman and whether he is considering changes to direct flights between Miami and Cayman Brac?”

Ms. Barbara Conolly – MP for George Town South:

1. To Ask: The Hon Minister for Health & Wellness and Home affairs (MP Prospect)

“Will the Minister advise the House (a) whether the Poinciana Rehabilitation Center, also known as the Long Term Mental Health Residential Facility, is still expected to be handed over to the Government by the end of March 2024; (b) what is the expected opening date of the facility, and (c) how many staff are presently hired to operate the facility after it open?”

2. To Ask: The Hon Premier & Minister for Finance, Education, District Admin & Lands (MP Cayman Brac East)

“Will the Minister publish by the end of March 2024 a full evaluation of the free school meals programme, giving the total costs and benefits of the programme and comparing them with those expected in the original business case?”

3. To Ask: The Hon Premier & Minister for Finance, Education, District Admin & Lands (MP Cayman Brac East)

“Will the Minister tell the House what action is taken to both challenge and support public schools that do not improve their inspection ratings over time?”

Mr. David Wight – MP for George Town West:

1. To Ask: The Hon Minister for Health & Wellness and Home affairs (MP Prospect)

“Can the Minister advise the House when she will bring the amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Act to address the ‘hallucinogenic substances and amphetamine derivatives’ currently not included in the law that she mentioned last year in responding to a question from the Opposition on stricter sentences for importation and distribution of Fentanyl and other opioids?”

2. To Ask: The Hon Minister for Youth, Sports and Heritage (MP East End)

“How many Caymanian athletes does the Minister anticipate will be selected to compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris later this year?”

– The Progressives