(Trinidad Express) Every member of Parliament will be given an iPad before the end of October in a move to save paper and money and progress in terms of technology.
House Speaker Wade Mark and Senate President Timothy Hamel-Smith justified the purchasing of iPads, saying that it will strengthen the functioning of Parliament.
Mark disclosed the plan to provide iPads for all parliamentarians yesterday at a joint press conference at the J Hamilton Maurice Room, Office of Parliament, Tower D, International Waterfront Centre, Port of Spain where they spoke about the Parliament’s plans to observe World International Day of Democracy.
There are 42 members of the House of Representatives which includes Mark and 31 members of the Senate which includes Hamel-Smith.
“…Shortly all members of Parliament…will now be provided with an iPad where they can do their work electronically, where they will receive their documents electronically and where we will be able to reduce the paper load,” said Mark.
When pressed as to how much this initiative will cost taxpayers, Mark responded “There is no price to pay for democracy is priceless, we are committed to strengthening our Parliament…I am not to sure whatever decisions that are taken, whatever allocations are made, we are not within that realm at this time but we are certain that we will be able to provide all our Parliamentarians in the both Houses before the end of this year….all members of Parliament will be provided with iPads,”.
Hamel-Smith interjected saying that there will be significant savings in terms of purchasing paper. He added that other parliaments in the world have looked at the introduction of technology as a cost- saving device.
Questioned on the capital outlay and projected costs savings as well as procurement processes, Mark said.
“At the moment as I speak I do not have those facts before me, what I can tell you our commitment is to be very transparent as a Parliament, to be very accountable and to be very accessible…as soon as these iPads are acquired the cost known, I will make it available to the members of the media,”.
Asked from where and which company will be used to purchase the iPads, Mark said he did not have the details at present.
Questioned on whether it would not have been easier to email documents to Parliamentarians which they could access at their offices or ministries, Hamel-Smith responded saying that the Ipad was far less “obtrusive” and, unlike the laptop, it does not block the view of a member of Parliament.
He added that there will be an introductory workshop to ensure that all parliamentarians make good use of their iPad.
Parliamentarians are also provided with laptops courtesy the Parliament.
Mark disclosed that at the beginning of the year the laptops are provided and parliamentarians have the choice at the end of the parliamentary session to return the laptop or purchase it for a “nominal fee”.
He said the same principle will be applied with respect to the iPads.