 Prime Minister Honourable Philip J. Pierre delivered his second budget summary address. The Prime Minister's brutal fiscal management abilities, in conjunction with the industrious policy implementation efforts by the technocrats, resulted in a favourable economic outturn. I'm pleased to report that the government was able to stay within its budget ceiling and the economy performed much better than anticipated. The priority areas for the upcoming fiscal year include national security and public healthcare. 9. That the Convention on this Honourable House is that when the Prime Minister of Finance delivers the estimates, the leader of the opposition responds in the after. That has been the Convention on this House. Every member of parliament was provided with a copy of the draft estimates for 2023-2024 up to five days before the commencement of the debate. So to use the excuse that there is no speech available, it's actually the leader of the opposition is failing his duty to the people of Saint Lucia. He is failing his duty to the taxpayers of Saint Lucia and I think it must be noted that these games with the people's finances must stop Mr Speaker. 8. 7. The semi-professionalization of football. People are very excited that for the first time in Saint Lucia's history, footballers will be paid to play football. It's a step in the right direction and I think our young people can benefit from knowing that they don't have to be on the blocks. They can play some football and get some compensation and of course eventually you would see the physiotherapists, those who want to get involved in videography and the other aspects of sport entertainment could definitely benefit from that commercial activity. 6. Saint Lucia welcomed the inaugural British Airways Silver from Guyana on March 27. The new service from London Gatwick is the only non-stop flight between Guyana and the UK via Saint Lucia. This flight between Guyana and Saint Lucia would help a lot in building that bond, that Caribbean unity, that Caribbean togetherness. But it would also help us as we welcome visitors from Guyana. We need to start thinking about multi-destination marketing. So you can come to Guyana, stay in Saint Lucia, you can come to Saint Lucia and come over to Guyana with the ease that this flight offers. 5. Officials of the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment and the counterparts from the United Nations World Food Program, WFP continue to find June protocols to improve the shock-responsiveness of Saint Lucia's social protection system. What we are doing here is to review protocols that we have developed that speaks to clear roles and responsibilities in terms of response, identify what those roles are, at what point, what do we do, how do we do it so that again when you have that response, it is already established. We have rehearsed it, we have practised it and we can run seamlessly with it. 4. Additional ground assets, including bicycles and motor vehicles were officially handed over to the High Command of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force. I pledged to give the police all the resources that the country's fiscal position can afford at the time. This will be used to assist us in our crime-fighting strategies. In as much as we are happy to have these to assist in our crime-fighting strategies, these can also be used, especially the truck, in times of disaster. 3. It is a good thing that we have our assets to assist us in what is happening now. Along with support from a contingent from the regional security system, the Police Powers Act strengthens the hand of the police force to mount strategic operations to take immediate control of an area affected by escalated crime. We have now seen some level of normalcy in terms of business before. To be honest, I have seen a lot of high-ranking officers walking on the streets I guess that has created a level of reassurance, a level of confidence for the general populace. 2. Our theme for this year will emanate from one of the pillars of our national youth policy and it states to empower young people and communities as agents of peaceful and safe national coexistence. A number of activities will be planned for communities in St. Lucia including Peace Camps in partnership with Development Alternatives Inc. DIA and the National Youth Council NYC funded by the United States Agency for International Development USA. The farmers are being trained to optimize soil fertility and improve crop yields through a collaborative program between the Ministry of Agriculture and the United States Agency for International Development, USAID. Soil quality is directly linked to food quality and quantity.