Secret settlements cause MLA concern
(CNS): An opposition member told the government benches that government must stop agreeing to non-disclosure when it comes to settling legal claims with public money. As the parliament was asked to vote an extra appropriation for the 2016 budget of $350,000 for the Ministry of Health and Culture as a part payment in a 15-year-old claim against the government, the problem of the secrecy surrounding these settlements was raised by the member for East End, Arden McLean.
“The people need to know …and people need to be held accountable,” McLean said, after he asked about the payment and was given very little detail about what is part of a much bigger payment yet to come.
Premier Alden McLaughlin, who spoke for the current health minister, Dwayne Seymour, told his parliamentary colleagues that, as the former minister, he was aware of the particular case. But he said he could not speak about it as the case is sealed and negotiations were ongoing, despite the age of the case. The premier warned that there would be an even greater sum appropriated in the next budget.
The case relates to an accident in which a person was badly injured and the government has been held liable. It has been going through the courts for several years but is sealed and the press are also prohibited from revealing any of the details in order to protect the plaintiff.
But even though the public is prevented from knowing any of the details, they will be footing the bill. McLean noted the unsatisfactory nature of the situation and said the Office of the Attorney General should be arguing in court for some of the details, including how government has been held liable, to be made public so they know why so much of their cash is being spent settling these cases.
Category: Government Finance, Politics
Secret societies have secrets.
wonder how they would hide these secrets if a foi request was made? jan?
I thought better of the Premier than to say that the case is SEALED but negotiations are continuing. What kind of negotiator is that , seals the case but continue to negotiate it . I really think that he should be MADE to give more details about that payout . .
caymanians…cant you see you keep voting in career politicians??? why? they ga make us into a 3rd world country? we well on the way there??
Nothing in the NRA Law says they have to disclose any information in this case!!
as privy council states…..justice delayed is justice denied…i recall reading it in a previous case!!??????
15 yrs. oh my….governments seem to drag cases and the courts seem to allow it? why is that?
it good to keep secret. if they disclose, because of mentality here, the recipient may/would be in danger….? i know, if i hot one, i wouldnt want anyone to know. especially the struggling caymanians
psst…most settlements may be their family y friends???!!!????
CIG doesn’t like to admit they plan badly and are open to liability all over the place.
Right. Doing them a real favour by delaying settlement for 15 years! More likely a) CIG embarrassed b) don’t want to encourage others who have suffered similar loss.
did you remember the case of the young lady in West bay who was injured during child birth and the mother sued but the hospital was exempted from liability under the law. The government is just trying to have a conscience stop bashing them for this. Why are you not demanding better health care professionals and service?
Cant trace the kick backs if its not made public.
Which side sought the secrecy order?
The unauthorized use of Government credit cards and undue influence in attempts to have unsuitable family members placed in specific positions of employment is what concerns me.
We really don’t need to know the name of the victim, his family, his nationality or his address…….. but very brief information surrounding the incident.
Eg. A jet ski collided with a government dock or a government owned vessel collided with a jet ski.
There should be transparency when it comes to the paying out of public funds, accident or no accident.
sssshhhh…….secret club…….