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{
    "id": 1203153,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1203153/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 70,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Deputy Speaker",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "THAT, noting that Standing Order 24 (6) provides that the debate on the Motion on the Address by the President shall be limited to not more than four sittings, and pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 97 (1), this House orders that the debate on the Motion on the Address by His Excellency the President under Article 132 (1) (a) of the Constitution delivered on the 29th September 2022 on the opening of Parliament shall be limited as follows- 1. No more than 20 minutes for the Mover in moving and 10 minutes in replying; 2. No more than 15 minutes for the designated Party Leaders; 3. No more than 10 minutes for the other Members speaking; 4. At least 10 minutes before expiry of the time, the Mover shall be called upon to reply. Hon. Speaker, in moving the Motion, permit me to inform the House, for the benefit of the newly elected Members, that parliamentary debates are oral exchanges of opinions intended to facilitate the House in the plenary to arrive at collective decision-making on certain issues. They can take place on special occasions such as opening speeches or at different stages of the examination of proposed legislation. They provide opportunities for us, as Members, to discuss Government policies, proposed laws and deliberate on current issues. They allow Members of Parliament to consider matters and address the concerns and interest of their constituents. Members can also speak about issues which are brought to their attention by the public. They are designed to enable the House reach an informed decision on any subject matter. With this understanding, debates are a critical mechanism for Members in this House. Indeed, each Member ought to have an opportunity to debate and address issues which affect the citizenry. The object of this Procedural Motion is to limit debate by allocating the Mover 20 minutes to move, 15 minutes for our designated Leaders and at least 10 minutes to any Member who will speak. Hon. Members, this move will save time and accord more Members an opportunity to make their contributions on the President’s Speech. In addition, approving this Motion will also allow more newly elected Members to make their maiden speeches, as they contribute on the Floor of the House. Further, when you calculate the time which is allocated for this Motion, it totals to 1,020 minutes. If each Member speaks for 10 minutes, you will notice that less than 102 Members will contribute to this Motion. I therefore seek for extension of the sitting time, through this Procedural Motion, to afford more Members time to debate the Motion. It is against this backdrop that I urge Members to support this Motion to enable the House to debate the President’s Speech, and allow more Members to make their contributions within the four sittings, as envisaged under Standing Order 24 (6). Hon. Speaker, I beg to move and request Hon. (Dr.) Makali Mulu, Member for Kitui Central, to second the Motion."
}