Trinidad and Tobago

Oversight

Oversight tools

Parliament/Chamber has the power to summon members of the government

Yes

Sources: Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago – Sec. 68

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Parliament/chamber has the power to summon senior government officials

Yes

Sources: Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago – Sec. 68

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Parliament has the power to approve key government appointments

Key government appointments include, for example, ambassadors or the head of the central bank.

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No

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Parliament/chamber has the power to approve key government appointments

Yes

Number of written questions asked, per year

Depending on a parliament’s system – both written and oral questions may be registered.

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161

(2020)

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Number of written questions answered by the government, per year

Depending on a parliament’s system – both written and oral questions may be registered

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96

(2020)

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Percentage of written questions answered by the government, per year

The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of written questions answered by the number of questions that were asked.

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59.6%

(2020)

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Parliament/chamber has power to carry out inquiries

The power of a parliament to carry out inquiries and the way in which they are done varies across parliaments. The aims and objectives of parliamentary inquiries cover a large spectrum: from a general examination of an issue of public interest to an investigative inquiry into a specific topic, the results of which may have penal implications.

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Yes

Sources: Parliamentary inquires may be carried out by the involvement of Parliamentary Committees, for example Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Public Accounts Enterprise Committee (PA{E}C) and Joint Select Committee (JSC)

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Number of parliamentary inquiries, per year

The total number of inquiries/investigations can include those carried out by any committee (permanent or ad-hoc) or specialized body within parliament. In the case an inquiry/investigation spans more than one year it is ounted once in the year it was initiated. The power of a parliament to carry out inquiries and the way in which they are done varies across parliaments.

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21

(2020)

Notes: Inquiries are carried out by the Joint Select Committees which includes both chambers of the parliament.

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Head of State and/or Government

Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of Government

Some parliaments elect the Head of Government or approve the nomination for the Head of Government. Others do not play a role.

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Parliament does not play a role

Notes: Following a general election, the President must appoint as Prime Minister a Member of the House of Representatives who is the leader in the House of the party which commands the support of the majority of members of that House.

Sources: Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Section 76.

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The Head of Government is also the Head of State

No

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Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of State

Parliament elects the Head of State

Notes: The Constitution provides for an Electoral College consisting of all the Members of the Senate and all the Members of the House of Representatives assembled together and convened and presided over by the Speaker of the House. The President is elected by the Electoral College voting by secret ballot.

Sources: Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago – Sec. 26, 28, 29.

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Impeachment and confidence motions

Parliament is automatically dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted

In some countries, the adoption of a motion of no confidence in the Government automatically leads to the dissolution of Parliament in certain countries. In other cases, a new government can be formed.

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No

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Chambers that can be dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted

In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that can be dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable

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No information available

Impeachment procedure

There is a procedure for parliament to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution

There is a procedure to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; The Head of State; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)

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The Head of Government

Individual members of the Executive

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Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment

In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable

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Lower chamber

No confidence processes

There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution

There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)

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The Head of Government

Individual members of the Executive

Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence

In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable

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Lower chamber