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{
    "id": 176766,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/176766/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 214,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Omingo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 180,
        "legal_name": "James Omingo Magara",
        "slug": "omingo-magara"
    },
    "content": "Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, I agree that this is a very important Ministry. I, however, do not agree that we are taking Parliament for granted. Immediately we took over, in terms of getting our chemistry and re-alignment right, we have taken initiative to engage Parliament. The only thing that we have not actualised, but there is a program of action--- My Ministry has written to the Departmental Committee on Finance, Trade and Planning seeking 3802 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES December 03, 2008 appropriate time to engage Parliament so that it is not used just as a rubber stamp. For example, we presented something to the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Finance, Trade and Planning. I was given a soft landing because, essentially, it is the Minister who is supposed to present the Cabinet proposal. However, this was kindly accepted by the Committee. That is one of the things that we have done and it is just a starting point. I agree that it is wrong to take Parliament for granted and turn it into a rubber stamp. For that reason, we want to engage Parliamentarians, especially through the Departmental Committee on Finance, Trade and Planning in order to be up to speed with our negotiations. Trade negotiation is not an issue we can take for granted. We are starting to engage Parliament. I believe that it is the role of the relevant Departmental Committee to bring Parliament up to speed, particularly on EPA, which is a very critical agreement that we signed. It was for the purpose of protecting Kenyan exports to Europe. This is an issue that we must handle collectively as a Government. I believe my Ministry will be up to speed with this. Come March, 2009, we should be having that policy in place. We shall have engaged parliamentarians to remove the cobwebs that block our understanding of trade negotiations."
}