Question NW2821 to the President of the Republic
29 October 2018 - NW2821
Maynier, Mr D to ask the President of the Republic
(1)Whether he attended the meeting during which the Cabinet agreed to issue a request for proposals for the Government’s proposed nuclear build programme on 9 December 2015; if not, why not; if so, (2) whether he supported the Cabinet’s decision to issue the request for proposals; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether he intends to give evidence on his role with regard to decision-making relating to the Government’s proposed nuclear build programme before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to Inquire into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector including Organs of State, chaired by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW3123E
Reply:
1. I attended the Cabinet meeting of 9 December 2015 in my capacity as Deputy President of the Republic. It was at this meeting that a decision was made to issue a request for proposals for a nuclear new build programme, and at which it was also agreed that any decision to proceed further with a nuclear build programme would take place after the Request for Proposals process had been completed and a final funding model developed.
2. Discussions in Cabinet are confidential and it is therefore not possible to provide information on individual contributions to the discussion. All members of Cabinet, regardless of their personal views, are bound by decisions taken by Cabinet and are collectively responsible for implementing those decisions.
3. I have publicly stated that I am available to give evidence at the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture should the Commission deem it necessary.