Politicians had a “dearth of data” while debating the Rosewood Tucker’s Point SDO, Ombudsman Arlene Brock stated yesterday.Ms Brock revealed she has launched an investigation to see how much information should be made available ahead of any future Special Development Orders.Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce (BEST) and the United Bermuda Party welcomed Ms Brock’s comments, saying there hadn’t been enough information for anyone to assess how much financial trouble the resort was really in.Ms Brock said in a statement: “The amendment requiring the vote by the entire legislature for SDO applications is historic and commendable.“However, decision-making and engagement with this new transparency should not be based on the old adversarial paradigm that characterised too much of the recent debate.“There seemed to be a plethora of opinions, but a dearth of data.“Decisions of such national importance require thoughtful and respectful exchange. Now that the political process has run its course, we have an opportunity to reflect and learn lessons.“The quality of decision-making by legislators depends on the quality of information provided to them.”Stuart Hayward, of BEST, said: “BEST commends the Ombudsman for her independence and initiative in taking this important step of furthering democracy in our Island.“We were frustrated repeatedly during the debates and decisions on the SDO from the ‘dearth of data’ the Ombudsman refers to.“If legislators are asked as they were in the SDO debate to make weighty decisions that involve the surrender of tens (if not hundreds) of millions of dollars of public amenity value, they must have not only all available information but also unfettered access to any information they consider relevant to the decision.“It should not be that Ministers who have a hefty stake in the outcome of a decision are able to filter or otherwise control access to the information pertaining to that decision.“Whether this is done deliberately or benignly is not the point. Halfway transparency is still not transparent.”Government repeatedly stated Tucker’s Point needed the SDO so development could take place and help it avoid financial ruin.But Mr Hayward said inadequate financial information was provided, meaning nobody could see for themselves that:l Tucker’s Point was in dire need;l the SDO would satisfy that need;l Bermuda’s tourism fortunes would “fly or fail” dependent on the SDO.He added that there were also unanswered environmental, cultural and historical questions surrounding the issue.“As we have said before, this is a new process, and the Government is to be congratulated for taking this first step,” said Mr Hayward.“It is clear to us, however, as it must be to the Ombudsman, that there are further steps that must follow to complete the process.”UBP Deputy Leader Trevor Moniz said: “Government has made a habit of introducing very important measures at very short notice with very little information.“This Government has not been willing, on too many occasions, to share information that Ministers have with the Opposition and with the public.“We see this over and over again with the Budget briefs. This is yet another example of the Ombudsman confirming Government is being opaque.”Mr Moniz also said Government shouldn’t be getting credit for opening the SDO debate up to the public.“Government had been advised that the practice of not brining SDOs to Parliament was probably unlawful,” he said.“I don’t think they deserve credit for that. I’m getting a little bit fed up with that.”It’s understood Ms Brock, who is politically independent, received no official complaints about the SDO procedure before launching her investigation.But she said she hopes to clarify the type of information, standards and criteria needed in making decisions to grant future SDOs.“I hope our recommendations will assist in more reasoned, evidence-based debate for future applications,” she said.A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Environment said: “The Ministry/Minister looks forward to reading the report once completed and reviewing the Ombudsman’s recommendations.”Anyone with views on what kind of information should be provided on future SDOs should deliver a written submission to 14 Dundonald Street, Hamilton, by 5pm on Friday, May 6, or e-mail info[AT]ombudsman.bm.Ms Brock said several people didn’t submit their concerns over Bermuda’s archives until she had completed her report.“That was too late,” she said.l Tucker’s Point will be rechristened Rosewood Tucker’s Point at a ceremony in the hotel lobby on Thursday, April 14, at 1.30pm. Premier Paula Cox, Tourism Minister Patrice Minors, Environment Minister Walter Roban, Bank of Bermuda CEO Phil Butterfield and Rosewood boss Alex Alt will be in attendance.lUseful websites: www.ombudsman.bm; www.best.org.bm; www.gov.bm; www.tuckerspoint.com.