THE DIASPORA Affairs Committee of Parliament is scheduled to have its first meeting on December 3 at Gordon House.

Parliament appointed the committee in March 2009, but since that time no meeting had been set.

Committee Chairman Dr Ronald Robinson told The Gleaner recently that Jamaican groups in the Diaspora had made submissions to Parliament on a number of issues. In particular, Jamaican groups in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom have submitted papers for discussion at the committee level.

As part of its terms of reference, the parliamentary committee has been mandated to determine a national approach to policy on diaspora matters. It has also been asked to explore constitutional amendments or other policy shifts on parliamentary representation for Jamaicans overseas.

The Diaspora Affairs Committee is expected to hear submissions from Jamaicans on a number of issues, such as the dual citizenship debate and representation in the Senate on behalf of the diaspora.