Member of Parliament (MP) for Roseau North constituency, Danny Lugay went home with a full pay packet for November four months after a decision was taken to withhold his parliamentary income but in announcing the reinstatement of Lugay’s salary, the Speaker of the House, Joseph Isaac, threatened to tighten his scrutiny of MPs’ behaviour in the House.
On July 29, 2021, Isaac ordered the removal from the House, of opposition members who were protesting a motion passed by the government side to limit the Opposition Leader’s response to the Prime Minister’s budget to only 30 minutes.
The government members and the Speaker argued that since Linton was not present for the Prime Minister’s budget presentation, the two hours response time that was previously allocated to him, had to be withdrawn.
However, opposition MPs insisted that Linton should not be punished for taking the same action as the Prime Minister who has never been present during the Opposition Leader’s budget response.
After the matter came to a head, with the opposition parliamentarians ignoring the Speaker’s request to take their seats, Isaac called on Sergeant of Arms to evict the protesting MPs from the House. Although all Opposition members were thrown out on that day, the Speaker said they could return the following day with the exception of Lugay, who had to be physically removed from the building.
The Roseau North MP was later informed via a letter from Clerk of the House, that a decision had been taken to suspend his wages in accordance with Standing order 50:(3) (C).
Following that decision which he labeled “vindictive and wicked”, Lugay, who is the first MP to have such action taken against him, said he was seeking legal advice as he believed that the constitution makes provision for the protection of a parliamentarian’s salary. The matter, however, never reached the courtroom.
At the Second Meeting of the Second Session of the Tenth Parliament last week, the Speaker informed members of the House that Lugay would start receiving his wage retroactively from the start of November 2021.
“Members received their notice on the15th of November about the sitting and although, based on the rule, we should have prorated payment of his salary from the 15th of November I said no, let us start it from the 1st of November…because we understand the situation,” Isaac explained.
His concession to the Roseau North MP notwithstanding, the Speaker cautioned parliamentarians to ensure that they execute their right to strategize within the ambit of the rules of the House.
“Your strategy cannot be a punishment to yourself and then after your strategy fails or action has to be taken based on the rules, members go on the radio station in a big discussion and debate not referring to the rules but condemning decisions and putting members of this Honorable House in disgrace in the eyes of the public,” Isaac stated.
He said at the next meeting of the privileges committee, new disciplinary measures will be discussed for parliamentarians who bring the House into a state of disrepute, not only at a sitting, but in the public domain.
The Speaker sought to demarcate the line between a parliamentarian’s right to speak on any platform of his or her choice and taking of matters being debated in the House on the radio, “calling Members of the Honourable House corrupt and all bad names…”
Isaac added, “Members have to take their responsibilities seriously. We cannot be paid by the State to represent the people we said voted for us and when we are supposed to be in this Honorable House or on committees to do the work we are doing or taking actions that affect the work of the Honorable House.”
“So we’re going to go strictly based on the Standing Orders and I will be ruling without fear or favour based on the oath I took,” Isaac warned.
DNO shame on you for allowing such a despicable threat to an individual be published. Since you have already allowed it, you should condemn it and apologize to your readers and the victim. Allowing this, could only be encouraging further violence against persons. I am appalled by the person who so wantonly threatens and targets this man’s welfare. You’re a disgrace to whichever political party or affiliation.
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On closer inspection, we realize that we missed its likely intent due to its masked nature. DNO in no way condones violent statements or innuendo that advocates that harm be done to any individual due to party or political affiliation.
Isaac, in life the evil that people do always follow them; you are already disoriented, that is a curse, and the wickedness that you perpetrated on this man by withholding his salary, will have consequences on later.
Power corrupts, your head is slowed right now, but Roosevelt will not be able to hold on to power for a lifetime; what are you going to do when you do not have him as your crotch of survival?
You know how hard it is when people are broke; you sold your soul to Roosevelt because you are a failed bread baker, lucky for Luga he is a man, with self respect, and; he refused to be a puppet of Roosevelt, and so he has not jumped ship as you that low down little rat, you are nothing more than a black wet little river like your god Roosevelt.
The day of reckoning will come for people like you: Sodom and Gomora you will experience, you will only understand this metaphor when it is in your face!
The power of God is the greatest power of all!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque, why do you make such nonsensical comments with your dogmatic religious epithets., wow. As to your statement quote, “The power of God is the greatest power of all! ” Well, it is also the judge of our misdeeds, NOT YOU.
Are you conveying that God is also the judge of all persons?
That is correct!
I judge no one, nevertheless; the Bible told us Christians to rebuke them: If you are a saint of God ” a Christian” I am suppose to rebuke the conduct, behavior, and vile habits of people disoriented.
Anybody in Dominica, America, or anyplace on earth who practices the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah, must be rebuked!
If you ever find me with my pants at my ankle indulging in the act of Sodom and Gomorrah, feel free to stone me to death. By the way there is a law in Dominica prohibiting Sodomy!
I done eh; I know but I doh talking eh!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahah!
(habits of people disoriented.)
So Gary; let that above read: “Christians are suppose to rebuke the habits of people who are disoriented.”
Be content with your convictions and belief.
Ayeeeeeee Judas, Judas! Shack cochon nee samdi eh!
Let me remind you Judas and the DLP that I along with Dr. Handbag and others still stand by our given January date for delivery of the voter reform from Denis Byron. If not, lots of people will not be happy. So go ahead, beat up on Danny and others all you want today for tomorrow it may be the same Danny to stretch a hand to you. Life is a cycle Judas, life is a cycle.
Who the hell care.Joseph Issac is now DANNY boss,bunch of UWP losers
That is the reason why the majority of Dominicans will never vote UWP .Brainless MANICOU and AGOUTI hunters.Loreen Bannis,Julius Timothy,Nichols Esprit,Dr.Curving Ferreira,Tahira Blanchard and Joseph Isaac all turned their backs on the corrupt UWP.Their blue boss campaigning on a platform of anti corruption while CONSPIRING to launder over $2,000,000ec into Dominica ,with the blessings of the Antichrist RATTLESNAKE Rodney.
My advice to our DOMINICANS, please ignore the hypocritcal Nonsensical Ridiculous Childish Despicable Thoughts of this “So Called Sitting Speaker” This is serious matter and ignoramous Stupidity idiotic thoughts and sayings coming from the despicable Voice of this Immature politically BLIND Incompetent Irrelevant Devious Speaker silly tone🔊 in addressing the states Honourable seated Honourable Parliamentary members who have been out there to represent their constituents and also to Speak Up loudly on behalf of the People of Dominica. It is Obvious that the Leadership of this FAKE FAILED LABOUR PARTY and its incompetent PRIME MINISTER and his Team are addressing Nonsensical Ridiculous Thoughts on their own Behalf making themselves look like idiotic political clowns which appears that these Outdated Clowns 🤡 should be out of our Government and our Parliament. Their interest is themselves and from my observations the LABOUR PARTY Leadership is a Nonsensical IMMATURE Political Clowns 🤡.
@Dominica Strong: Why don’t you simply ask his son, Lennox Honeychurch? Who can give you better information than him? And I am sure you should have no trouble finding him.
I do not blame Isaac for taking actions again someone who defeated him for a seat he held as a member of the U W P then walked over to the D L P to be given a job as a minister only to be shamefully rejected by the people of Roseau north in the next election but given a badly needed “WHAT U MA CALL IT” i HEAR A BELL RINGING VEGENCE
Mr. Speaker, you said you took an oath which means you are bound to serve the Commonwealth of Dominica and by extension the people of Dominica. You did NOT take a oath to serve the government of Dominica or its Prime Minister. Furthermore you took an oath to be IMPARTIAL in the house. My questions to you now:
1. Are you impartial?
2. Do you serve with, your hand on heart, the Commonwealth of DA or do you serve the PM of the country, namely R. Skerrit?
Are you man enough to contact DNO and answer those questions publicly.
Do you know how silly you are, Why didn’t you solicit the Hon. Lugay to represent him, then you could have The speaker on the stand and ask him your questions. If you are seeking to find out if someone is impartial, is this the questions you would ask, wow. What you are doing, is asking someone a question and hoping to get the answer you want, isn’t that childish. Your opinion on the matter should be focus on the incident which took as it relates to the Laws governing the House and the authority given to the speaker under the house rules to impose the necessary discipline on Hon. Lugay not your subjective feelings based on your political partisan beliefs.
We all know you are totally unhinged and delirious by that red kool aid. Get out of here corrupt little creature.
Is this how you were schooled for your profession to respond to an argument or comment, or are you an imposter. As to the red Kool-Aid , I have always disliked Kool-Aid whether red geen or purple growing up as a kid, so why now should I be interested in drinking such unhealthy drink. Look, I got just as much right as you got on this forum, why would you want me to get out, simply because I questioned your comment regarding the above matter.
If you think I’m going to enter into big conversation with a supporter of the most corrupt government on earth… Well, think again. Why don’t you seek conversation with your corrupt Idol instead? He might even award you a hundred dollar envelope.
No he isn’t man enough. These guys have no backbone or character. The country doesn’t matter to them…, only the money! But the day of reckoning is not far off.
Joseph Isaac is a snake…..he still suffering from de embarrassing defeat that Danny let go on his head in de last general election in Roseau North.
More votes for Danny!!!!!
Nothing that dlp do can erase de facts that after putting money on Isaac head he still lost in grand defeatist mode…..de office in stock farm didn’t do much to help his chances either
Do you think a Snake is the proper word to describe House speaker Issac. Let us be honest, if anyone is bitter about the last election, it is you, not Joseph Issac. The Hon. Joseph Issac lost his seat to The Hon. Lugay, but he got to be speaker of the house, he is where he always wanted to be, a servant of the people, in a distinguished position. Do you think if he was still following the UWP and the likes, he would get this opportunity to fulfil his passion to serve the people of Dominica. You are the one to stop the bitterness move on, your Party lost the last election, stop the bitterness, it’s in plain view by your constant comments on DNO.
Well said. UWP and their supporters are like Donald Trump and his MAGA worshipers, they cannot accept when they are beaten.. Democracy for them is when they win, and to be fair, i don’t see them winning anything soon. Their base numbers are dwindling and they just don’t know what else to do so they just keep lashing out. they are serial sour/bitter losers.
OK. Gary, J.I. Is not a snake, he is a serpent.
Gary, I strongly agree with you! First of all, we have way too many people in Dominica who will never come to know the meaning of respect, this is a very sad situation.
Secondly, it is the bitterness, jealousy, and envy that is keeping those people–the UWP and their followers–in that cage of defeat from which they cannot be freed.
Jealousy and envy provoke bitterness, influencing disrespect, none of which are part of the traits of Love. But God is Love, and He is the One who gives victory to those who have worked for it.
Unfortunately, the UWP and their followers have no understanding of this logic– what a sorry group of people!
And the noose is being tightened, democracy and people’s rights being snuffed out. I see Roosevelt Skerrit offered an olive branch again. How cynical can one get. You call that an olive branch bro when to me it is like a boutou bwa diabe you stuffing down my pants while asking me if it hurts. Merry Christmas anyway.
This DLP? there is a day for all injustice. You created an unfair situation, now you behave like u doing Danny a favor. What the…….?
Banana republic pettiness. This government is as vindictive and arrogant as it gets.
Nobody describes Joseph Isaac better than Bob Marley song “ Who the cap fits”
Man to man is so unjust, children
You don’t know who to trust
Your worst enemy could be your best friend
And your best friend your worst enemy
Some will eat and drink with you
Then behind them su-su ‘pon you
Only your friend know your secrets
So only he could reveal it
And who the cap fit
Let them wear it
And who the cap fit
Let them wear it
Said I throw me corn (throw me corn)
Me no call no fowl (me no call no fowl)
I saying Cok-cok-cok (Cok-cok-cok)
Cluck-cluck-cluck (Cluck-cluck-cluck)
Ay
Some will hate you, pretend they love you now
Then behind they try to eliminate you
But who Jah bless, no one curse
Thank God
We’re past the worse
Hypocrites and parasites
Will come up and take a bite
And if your night should turn to day
A lot of people would run away
The unknown future is something that should never be feared to trust. Look where Hon. Joseph Issac is today, that is an example of someone who wasn’t afraid to trust the future. Your perception of The Hon. Joseph Issac actions as being unjust is rotted in your political partisan beliefs, that’s all it is, move on accept it that’s the nature of politics. If it was the other way, someone leaves the DLP to Join the UWP, who in your eyes would be unjust, it is in the eye of the be holder driven by their partisan political beliefs. What about The deputy leader of the UWP and his remarks made against his Leader in a private recording made public, would you recommend that sound to describe him. The actions of Joseph Issac were done in the open, plain sight, the deputy leader of the UWP used spoken words in private reveling his feelings about his leader and Party, his so-called friends betrayed him making the conversation public. Don’t you see a pattern, and how both men acted…
Honourable? What’s honourable about this viper?
Ah boy, that negro plantation is a piece of work.
Is this the same Joseph Isaac that once stood alongside of Danny Lugay and many Dominicans calling on the corrupt Skerrit to go? Wasn’t he the same one arrested by the police for calling on Skerrit to go? Boy Satan man and greedy people.
He has same JI initials as Judas Iscarriot and here is how Acts 1 describes his last days
Acts 1:17-20
17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.
20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.
I hope Joseph Isaac remembers this passage
@Money god, you people need to stop you all’s abuse of God’s Word, by using those messages to speak you all’s disgusting, carnal-minded thoughts.
That scripture you quoted above has nothing to do with the Speaker of the House–you have no clue of what you are asking him to remember. HOW FOOLISH!
Hypocrite. Why did you leave your country of milk and honey? Hypocrite!
Just take care of Judas Iscariot with a very good Christmas gift
Would thirty pieces of silver suffice?
He will settle for less, he comes fairly cheap.
Judas go boil an egg.
I could NEVER be inthe same room as Issac and Skerrit. I just could not. Your stupid games, one day, must end. You witheld the man’s salary for what? Y’all are so immature; Issac should thank God he made it thus far, after doubling (repeating) a form at DGS. Issac had a learnign diability, now you’re in your beak-shoes playing official–so arrogant. Oh please. The game of bebel continues….