Speeches by Dr. Douglas De Couto, JP, MP

7 Nov 2025 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly

41 words

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Given the recent Pink Ferry breakdown since the last session, will the Honourable Minister please advise this Honourable House whether or not the Min-istry has a specific plan to modernise the Pink Ferry service? Thank you.

7 Nov 2025 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly

5 words

P oint of order .

7 Nov 2025 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly

33 words

The Member is imputing improper motive, Madam Deputy Speaker. I act here on behalf of my constituents who are quite anxious to know the topic of these questions. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.

7 Nov 2025 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly

12 words

Yes, thank you. Does this review consider purchasing new ferries? Thank you.

7 Nov 2025 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly

25 words

Thank you. Another supplemental. Does this review consider using other boats currently available in Bermuda, perhaps on a charter basis from private individuals? Thank you.

7 Nov 2025 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly

90 words

Yes, thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker . My question concerns the portion of the s tatement that refers to the amendments to the work policy that all work permit holders have proficiency in the English language. It is my understanding that there could be up to 150 Cuban nationals working at the Fairmont Southampton site who have come here directly …

7 Nov 2025 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly

4 words

Yes, thank you, supplemental.

7 Nov 2025 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly

24 words

Did the employer of these Cuban nationals make representations to the G overnment that they speak English in compliance with the policy? Thank you.

7 Nov 2025 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly

6 words

Second supplemental, Madam Deputy Speaker .

7 Nov 2025 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly

71 words

Thank you, Minister , much appreciated. So, can you confirm that we should expect that upon renewal of these Cuban nationals' work permits that they will all be English speakers or have Englishspeaking proficiency? And because the question was asked, I just used this as a specific example. I find, Madam Deputy Speaker , that using specific examples can help …

7 Nov 2025 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly

29 words

Yes. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker . Does the Honourable Minister have a view of the prevalence of non- native English speakers in the work permit population? Thank you.

7 Nov 2025 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly

12 words

Yes, thank you, Madam Speaker. I jumped the gun last time. [Laughter]

7 Nov 2025 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly

265 words

I would like to thank St. Mary's Church for their “[Remembrance of] A ll Souls” service on Sunday night, a service of remembering those who we've lost. I want to thank Minister Weeks for his moving remarks at that service. Thank you to Father Williams for inviting me [and to] Reverend Santucci for his remarks and his singing. And we …

26 Sep 2025 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly

126 words

Yes, good morning, Mr. Speaker, and thank you very much. To the Honourable Premier and Minister of Finance, David Burt, will the Honourable Minister please provide for this Honourable House the projected bal-ance of the tax refund reserve fund as at the end of September 2025? Thank you. Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I respect …

26 Sep 2025 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly

88 words

Yes, Mr. Speaker. Also, to the Honourable Premier and Minister of Finance, will the Honourable Minister please provide for this Honourable House the aggregate amount of the first instalment CIT [Corporate Income Tax ] payments for the largest 5, 10, 25 and 50 CIT payers , where largest with respect to the size of each CIT payer ’s first instalment …

26 Sep 2025 House of Assembly

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With your leave, may I make a comment for the record regarding the question?

26 Sep 2025 House of Assembly

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1 words

Okay.

26 Sep 2025 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly

40 words

Thank you. Bermuda House of Assembly The Speaker: All right. Thank you. The second question this morning is from MP Dwayne Robinson and also to the Premier and the Minister of Finance. MP Robinson. QUESTION 1: FAIRMONT SOUTHAMPTON REQUIRED FUNDING

26 Sep 2025 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly

50 words

Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Honourable Minister please provide for this Honourable House the date when he will provide the Ministry's plan for the future of the Pink Route ferry service, including returning to its previous full schedule and operating with a modernised fleet of vessels? Thank you.

26 Sep 2025 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly

72 words

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Honourable Premier referred to consultation with the relevant members of industry in crafting these regulations. Could the [Honourable] Premier briefly share with this House some of the top topics that arose out of that consultation, or top concerns of the industry? Thank you. Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, those matters are in the …