No disrespect intended - Johnson Smith

Leader of Government Business in the Senate Kamina Johnson Smith has sought to dispel claims that she disrespected Senator Floyd Morris during last Friday's sitting of the Senate.

According to Johnson Smith, recognising that offence had been taken by her comments, she immediately apologised and withdrew the remark without any prompting from the Senate president or anyone else.

"I had tried to guide the Senate through the documents in the morning, in order to assist senators and focus the debate, but this was vehemently rejected by the opposition," said Johnson Smith in a release yesterday.

Pass it to a Joint Select Committee - Phillips

Opposition Leader Dr Peter Phillips is urging the Government to put the legislation establishing the National Identification System (NIDS) to a Joint Select Committee of Parliament.

"It is critical that the rights and privacy of all Jamaicans are protected while enabling better policies and strengthening the crime-fighting mechanisms.

"The People's National Party strongly supports the need for the establishment of a Joint Select Committee to fully deliberate on this critical NIDS bill and engage the public on all matters of concern so it can be resolved," said Phillips.