Members
Parliament
Transparency
Dr. Douglas De Couto, JP, MP

Dr. Douglas De Couto, JP, MP

1768
Speeches
616,883
Words Spoken
69
Sittings Active
18 Mar 2024 Senate
Official Hansard Report - Senate
935 words
Madam President, let us get a few things out of the way. Last year ’s debt repayment of $50 million. We are glad to see that tranche paid off. But remember that is only because they overborrowed previously and stashed that money in the Sinking Fund. So it is sort of like a revolving door or borrowing from Peter to …
18 Mar 2024 Senate
Official Hansard Report - Senate
369 words
So, of course, Madam President, we support proposals to increase spending in digital and IT infrastructure. But we are concerned the outcomes won’t match the monies invested based on Government ’s track record. Of course w e advocate for increased spending to increase our crumbling infrastructure. Why was it not maintained in the first place? This spending should have happened …
18 Mar 2024 Senate
Official Hansard Report - Senate
217 words
“The Government is not providing the House of Assembly or the public the [analytical] information that would help them understand Government ’s financial statements and its financial condition.” The Government is not providing the House of Assembly or the public the information . . . The 2014 Public Treasury Act requires the Government to prepare true consolidated statements, but it …
18 Mar 2024 Senate
Official Hansard Report - Senate
125 words
Madam President, the OBA has a vision for the future where [there is ] prosperity for all people, strong, safe and healthy communities, where the Government will be responsible with the people ’s money to enable a just and fair society. The OBA will g et Bermuda there, to that future recovery through delivery , actions , clear outcomes , …
18 Mar 2024 Senate
Official Hansard Report - Senate
139 words
Under the One Bermuda Alliance debt reduction will be a major priority. We should have minimum debt. The current levels are not acceptable. We have leveraged the future of Bermuda ’s children, and we need to stop that. Short of betting on the CIT, how would we reduce the debt? We will have to make some tough decisions together with …
18 Mar 2024 Senate
Official Hansard Report - Senate
160 words
With a much smaller debt, we could have over $100 million more to spend on taking care of our people. More for our infrastructure. More for reduc ing taxes. We would create and fund a long-term plan for infrastructure and for paying down the debt and building a strong financial future for Bermuda. Importantly, to create accountability we would ensure …
18 Mar 2024 Senate
Official Hansard Report - Senate
53 words
Madam President, the looming pension crisis must be resolved. We would take immediate action. But that doesn’t mean shock or unpleasant surprise. Changes can be implemented on a stepped or gradual basis so that all pension- holders understand how the changes will impact them and we can all make our plans accordingly. Tourism
18 Mar 2024 Senate
Official Hansard Report - Senate
218 words
Madam President, we would boost tourism . We would aggressively search for and court investors who we can trust to deliver and who will be good partners with access to capital who do not need to be propped up by the Bermuda Government. Good investors who will stay in Bermuda for a while to see their investment through, not just …
18 Mar 2024 Senate
Official Hansard Report - Senate
307 words
Madam President, to address the cost of living, we would also cut red tape. I have talked about innovative building approaches. We want to make it easier and cheaper and faster to construct comfortable, high- quality homes , focusing on places like the City of Hamilton and brownfield sites. We do not need to sacrifice our precious little remaining natural …
18 Mar 2024 Senate
Official Hansard Report - Senate
256 words
Madam President, looking to your particular professional interest of health care, we would reverse the block grant for the hospital, allowing it to return to a fee -for-service model. We appreciate that this may be controversial for some, but I think it is best summed up by saying It is not working today and the continued failure of this Government …
18 Mar 2024 Senate
Official Hansard Report - Senate
351 words
Madam President, government services must be efficient and effective. While some departments (and I won’t name them, but we all know the bright spots) have shown creativity and innovation, the PLP Government leaders have kicked the can down the road for too long and failed to support our civil service workers with the tools, training and support needed to provide …
18 Mar 2024 Senate
Official Hansard Report - Senate
220 words
Finally, Madam President, we must understand and keep first in our minds that it is imperative for us to develop and encourage a vibrant local economy, driven by local businesses owned by and employing Bermudians. IB has been a huge success for our Island, but it cannot be a giant glass tower standing alone. We must urgently restore our communities …
18 Mar 2024 Senate
Official Hansard Report - Senate
2,776 words
Madam President, in conclusion, let me say w e have covered a lot of detail. And of course, time prevents us from commenting on many other important areas. But we have sought to show Bermudians that we understand the reality they face today. We want to give them a firm idea of how we would handle their money , their …
18 Mar 2024 Senate
Official Hansard Report - Senate
148 words
Point of order, Madam President. Misleading the Senate. The airport deal had multiple external reviews by esteemed third parties. Thank you. Sen. Lindsay Simmons: Madam President, I stand with what I said. Madam President, it is easy to write a Reply littered with negativity and pessimism. But, again, I ask the OBA, Where are your solutions? To emphasise my point …
18 Mar 2024 Senate
Official Hansard Report - Senate
20 words
Madam President, point of order. The Senator is misleading the Senate. The OBA did table the Equality Bill. Thank you,
18 Mar 2024 Senate
Official Hansard Report - Senate
1,270 words
Point of order, Madam President. The Senator is misleading the Senate. We specifically said we would support agriculture by working with local farmers and agriculture experts on a right - tack approach. Thank you, Madam President. The President: Thank you, Senator De Couto. Carry on, Senator Simmons. Sen. Lindsay Simmons: Again, Madam President, I stand by what I said. Madam …
18 Mar 2024 Senate
Official Hansard Report - Senate
4,100 words
Madam President, point of order. That is imputing improper motive. I would like her to retract that statement. Thank you. Sen. Lindsay Simmons: Madam President, that’s not true. That was in their Reply. Bermuda Senate So once again, the OBA proved to make comments that either demonstrates their character by purposefully misleading the people or their incompetence by not simply …
18 Mar 2024 Senate
Official Hansard Report - Senate
434 words
Point of order, Madam President. The budget explicitly includes increased tax revenues so I don’t see how it could be said to have not raised taxes. Thank you, Madam President. The point of order is that the Senator is misleading the Senate. Thank you. Sen. Leslie Robinson: Madam President, I am talking about increased taxes and I am talking about …
18 Mar 2024 Senate
Official Hansard Report - Senate
84 words
Point of order, Madam President. The Senator is misleading the Senate. Early retirement is not a sacrifice if somebody voluntarily chooses to take it, at their option. Thank you, Madam President. The President: Thank you for your comment. Sen. Leslie Robinson: Madam President — The President: Senator Robinson, carry on. Sen. Leslie Robinson: Madam President, and these are our people …
18 Mar 2024 Senate
Official Hansard Report - Senate
28 words
Madam President, point of order. This is the second time the Senator has misled the Senate. The President: Senator De Couto, it is not a point of order.