The following hon. Members made and subscribed before the Assembly, the Oath of Allegiance prescribed in the Third Schedule of the Constitution and signed the Roll of Membership – Dr. the Hon. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, GCSK, FRCP (Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External Communications, Minister of Finance, Minister for Rodrigues and Outer Islands) Hon. Paul Raymond Bérenger, GCSK (Deputy Prime Minister) Hon. Shakeel Ahmed Yousuf Abdul Razack Mohamed (Minister of Housing and Lands) Hon. Rajesh Anand Bhagwan (Minister of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change) Dr. the Hon. Arvin Boolell, GOSK (Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries) Hon. Govindranath Gunness (Minister of National Infrastructure) Hon. Anil Kumar Bachoo, GOSK (Minister of Health and Wellness) Hon. Christian Harold Richard Duval (Minister of Tourism) Hon. Ashok Kumar Subron (Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity) Dr. the Hon. Mrs Jyoti Jeetun (Minister of Financial Services and Economy Planning) Hon. Patrick Gervais Assirvaden (Minister of Energy and Public Utilities) Hon. Dhananjay Ramful (Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade) Hon. Darmarajen Nagalingum (Minister of Youth and Sports) Hon. Muhammad Reza Cassam Uteem (Minister of Labour and Industrial Relations) Hon. Mahomed Osman Cassam Mahomed (Minister of Land Transport) Hon. Mrs Marie Arianne Navarre-Marie (Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare) Hon. John Michaël Tzoun Sao Yeung Sik Yuen (Minister of Commerce and Consumer Protection) Dr. the Hon. Kaviraj Sharma Sukon (Minister of Tertiary Education, Science and Research) Hon. Sayed Muhammad Aadil Ameer Meea (Minister of Industry, SMEs and Co- operatives) Dr. the Hon. Mahend Gungapersad, PDSM (Minister of Education and Human Resource) Dr. the Hon. Avinash Ramtohul (Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation) Hon. Lutchmanah Pentiah (Minister of Public Service and Administrative Reforms) Hon. Ranjiv Woochit, OSK (Minister of Local Government) Hon. Mahendra Gondeea, OSK (Minister of Arts and Culture) Hon. Georges Pierre Lesjongard (Leader of the Opposition) Hon. Dhaneshwar Damry (Junior Minister of Finance) Hon. Ms Joanna Marie Bérenger (Junior Minister of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change) Hon. Gilles Fabrice David (Junior Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries) Hon. Mrs Eileen Karen Lee Chin Foo Kune-Bacha (Junior Minister of Youth and Sports) Hon. Jean Sydney Pierre (Junior Minister of Tourism) Hon. Mohammad Fawzi Allymun (Junior Minister of Local Government) Hon. Mrs Anishta Babooram (Junior Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare) Hon. Hambyrajen Narsinghen (Junior Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade) Hon. Kuvalayan Kugan Parapen (Junior Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity) Hon. Mrs Marie Veronique Leu-Govind (Junior Minister of Arts and Culture) Hon. Ms M. G. S. Anquetil Hon. G. T. Apollon Dr. the Hon. F. I. Aumeer Hon. B. Babajee Hon. C. A. Baboolall Hon. V. V. Baloomoody Hon. R. S. Beechook Hon. N. S. Beejan Hon. L. L. M. Caserne Hon. Ms M. R. Collet Hon. Ms R. B. Daureeawo Hon. A. C. Duval Hon. J. Edouard Hon. R. Etwareea Hon. J. F. François Hon. Mrs D. Henriette-Manan Hon. R. Jhummun Hon. S. Jugurnauth Hon. M. E. Juman Hon. K. Lobine Hon. C. Lukeeram Dr. the Hon. S. Prayag Hon. J. P. F. Quirin Hon. A. Ramdass Hon. C. Ramkalawon Hon. K. Rookny Hon. M. R. Saumtally Hon. Mrs M. A. A. Savabaddy Hon. M. Seeburn Dr. the Hon. Ms B. Thannoo Hon. P. Venkatasami SPEAKER – ELECTION The Ag. Clerk: Hon. Members, in accordance with the provisions of Section 32 of the Constitution and of Standing Order 7 of the Standing Orders and Rules of the National Assembly, the Assembly will now proceed with the election of a Speaker. I will, therefore, invite two hon. Members to move and to second the election of a Member present in this Assembly or otherwise, to be nominated to the office of Speaker and to take the Chair of the Assembly as such.

Acting Clerk, in accordance with the provisions of Section 32 of the Constitution and Standing Order 7 of the Standing Orders and Rules of the National Assembly, I move that Mrs Shirin Aumeeruddy-Cziffra be elected Speaker of the House. Acting Clerk, Mrs Shirin Aumeeruddy-Cziffra is a Barrister-at-Law and was called to the Bar in Mauritius in July 1974, and practiced law for about 26 years. During her professional career, she occupied several positions of responsibility. She was elected in Constituency No. 19, Stanley and Rose Hill in 1976 and then in 1982, 1983, and 1987. In 1982, she was appointed Attorney-General and Minister for Women’s Rights and Family Welfare. In 1987, she was elected Municipal Councillor and appointed Mayor of Beau Bassin- Rose Hill. From 1992 to 1994, she was the Ambassador of Mauritius to the Republic of France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. In 2004, Mrs Aumeeruddy-Cziffra was appointed Ombudsperson for Children and remained in that position up to 2011. From 2012 to 2021, she was Chairperson of the Public Bodies Appeal Tribunal following which, she resumed the profession of Barrister-at-Law. Mrs Aumeeruddy-Cziffra is known at the national, regional, and international levels as being deeply committed to the promotion of human rights. It is with pleasure that I move that Mrs Aumeeruddy-Cziffra be elected Speaker of this august Assembly. The Deputy Prime Minister rose and seconded. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr G. Lesjongard): Thank you, Acting Clerk. Il est de coutume que cette motion est aussi secondée par le leader de l’opposition, and I believe it is good for the proper functioning of this august Assembly. May I let it be recorded, Acting Clerk, that as Leader of the Opposition, I also second this motion. Allow me to seize this opportunity to wish Madam Shirin Aumeeruddy-Cziffra all the best. Thank you, Acting Clerk. The Ag. Clerk: Is there any counterproposal? There being no counterproposal, I declare Mrs Shirin Aumeeruddy-Cziffra elected to take the Chair of the Assembly as Speaker. I shall, therefore, invite hon. Mrs Shirin Aumeeruddy-Cziffra to come to the upper step to make and subscribe the Oath of Allegiance to or Affirmation or Declaration in the first instance and then to sign the Roll of Membership prior to taking the Chair of the Assembly. (The House having called hon. Mrs Shirin Aumeeruddy-Cziffra, to the Chair, she proceeds to the upper step of the Chair.) Mrs Shirin Aumeeruddy-Cziffra then made and subscribed before the Assembly the Oath of Allegiance prescribed in the Third Schedule of the Constitution and signed the Roll of Membership. Madam Speaker (Standing on the upper step): Rt. Hon. Prime Minister and Leader of the House, thank you. Hon. Deputy Prime Minister, hon. Leader of the Opposition, hon. Ministers, hon. Junior Ministers, hon. Members, thank you for your trust and confidence. First of all, let me congratulate each and every one of you for your personal success which has brought you to sit in the National Assembly in your various capacities. The future of our country is now in your hands, in whatever position you may occupy. I feel deeply honoured to become Speaker at such a challenging time. I look forward to hearing some excellent speeches, statements, and debates on burning issues for the betterment of Mauritius and its citizens who are full of hope. I am privileged to have been a Member here at a time when the first Mauritian Speaker was in the Chair. Sir Harilal Vaghjee will be my role model, even if I must be humble and strive only to do my best. I will, therefore, listen to you with an open mind, but without fear or favour. I know that you will express yourselves with conviction and passion, and I will naturally promote the fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed by Chapter II of our Constitution, in particular the liberty of opinion and expression. I will do my best to abide by the Standing Orders and Rules of the National Assembly which, of course, will need to be reviewed so that we enlarge the rights of one and all. I would like to thank the Acting Clerk and the whole staff who have done their best to ensure that this First Session of the Eighth National Assembly takes place as smoothly as possible. I count on them to continue to uphold the high standards of our august Assembly. My motto is contained in three Rs: Rights, Respect, Responsibility. Let us together restore the dignity of this House. By so doing, let us also inspire the people who are watching us and thus promote a scrupulous democracy, not just in the National Assembly but throughout the Republic of Mauritius. Thank you.

(Applause)

(Madam Speaker then takes the Chair) (The Mace which was, up to that time, under the Table, is placed upon the Table by the Serjeant- at-Arms) DEPUTY SPEAKER – ELECTION

Madam Speaker, in accordance with the provisions of Section 32 of the Constitution and Standing Order 7 of the Standing Orders and Rules of the National Assembly, I move that hon. Vedasingam Vasudevachariar Baloomoody be elected Deputy Speaker of the House. The Deputy Prime Minister rose and seconded.

Is there any other proposal? There being no counterproposal, I declare hon. Vedasingam Vasudevachariar Baloomoody elected as Deputy Speaker of the Assembly.

Madam Speaker, I would like to extend my warm congratulations to you on your election for this esteemed position. You can rest assured of my fruitful collaboration during your tenure of office. My heartfelt congratulation goes also to the Rt. hon. Prime Minister, to the hon. Deputy Prime Minister and to all hon. Members for placing their trust in me. I can assure all the Members that I shall conduct the affairs of the House in all fairness and uphold the dignity of the House. I wish all the hon. Members well. Thank you once again.

(Applause)

DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES – ELECTION

Madam Speaker, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 7 of the Standing Orders and Rules of the National Assembly, I move that the hon. Mohamed Ehsan Juman be elected Deputy Chairperson of Committees. The Deputy Prime Minister rose and seconded.

Is there any other proposal? There being no counterproposal, I declare the hon. Mohamed Ehsan Juman elected as Deputy Chairperson of Committees.

Madam Speaker, let me first congratulate you upon your election to this high office. I am deeply honoured to be elected by this august Assembly as Deputy Chairperson of Committees. I thank the hon. Prime Minister and the hon. Deputy Prime Minister. I will faithfully and diligently discharge the responsibilities conferred upon me to the best of my abilities. Thank you again, Madam Speaker. I wish all of us well. God bless!

(Applause)

Thank you.