Prime Minister Leona Romeo-Marlin attempted to put to rest concern expressed by the National Alliance (NA) about an apparent holiday season recess by the Council of Ministers from December 24 to January 8. The opposition party had queried exactly how government would function without weekly meetings during that time, after civil servants were informed all documents in need of decision must be submitted by December 18.
The prime minister spoke of a miscommunication and said officials were told this merely to avoid the end-of-year rush of advices. She explained that the council meets on Tuesdays with possible continuations on Thursday. As both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day fall on a Tuesday, there will be no scheduled meetings during those two weeks.
However, urgent meetings can still be held, cabinet members will keep on carrying out their individual tasks and government is to continue its day-to-day operations as normal on weekdays other than public holidays. The majority of ministers will also be on the island and available to meet if required.
The fact that Parliament goes on recess every summer is often criticised, but that situation exists in many countries and there’s a practical reason. As is the case with, for example, teachers at schools, it is best if all elected representatives go on vacation at the same time not to hamper the functioning of the legislature for lack of quorums on top of regular absentees for illness, grieving, etc.
The executive branch knows no such arrangement, which is why the NA faction said they had never heard of government taking an extended recess. Nevertheless, ministers do have a right to take their vacation days as long as they coordinate this with colleagues to ensure the county is not left rudderless.
