Attorney General, Anil Nandlall insisted that government enjoyed the constitutional right to take monies out of the Contingencies Fund if it needed to do so. “We are saying this is a statement of excesses which the Executive is empowered to lay in the National Assembly under the conditions set out in Article 218 (3) of the Constitution of Guyana,” he said.
Greenidge, however, vehemently countered that the constitution could not be read in isolation of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act. “Article 218, to which reference is made, it was never intended and could not be intended for a carte blanche for the Minister of Finance to spend whatever he likes whether or not there is a shortfall,” he told the House.
The Constitution Act always takes precedent over all other Acts.
In other words, where Acts and Regulations have contrary wordings and intentions, the Constitution Act takes precedent.