Taxpayers' money is being well spent on the Government's four-day workshop in Tobago, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says.

"If I were to do a cost benefit analysis, I think the benefit will far outweigh the cost. It is not exceedingly expensive I'm told, I don't have a total figure. For example, the hotel that we're staying in is all-inclusive so it is not if you eat more or eat less it makes a difference. That is one of the reasons why our staff chose this particular hotel and of course workshops have been held here in the past, they do have the facilities," Persad-Bissessar said yesterday in response to a question from the Express on the cost of the entire workshop.

Members of the People's Partnership Government went to Tobago on Wednesday and will be there until tomorrow undergoing training and lectures at the Coco Reef hotel

Yesterday, on day two of the workshop, Dr Daniel Shapiro, internationally acclaimed founder and director of the Harvard International Negotiation Programme, taught members of the Government the art of negotiation.

"It was very interesting for us. Prof Daniel Shapiro presented, it was really a remarkable session. We discussed conflict resolution, networking as a team," Persad-Bissessar said.

She said they also discussed core values in working together, whether in Government or in the constituency.

"There were some heated exchanges in terms of the concepts and the principles, but I think it was well received. As a new Government it is very important as we continue to maintain good relations with the people," she added.

Senior journalist Tony Fraser also presented on the importance of the role of the media in communicating Government's message to the people, yesterday. Today, she said Martin Daly SC will present to the Government members on separation of powers and Reginald Dumas on governance for an effective and high performing public service.

However, members of the media were asked to leave the Coco Reef hotel around lunch time yesterday.

A female official of the hotel told media members that they could stay but must put away their cameras. Then a male employee came and said he was instructed that all media should leave.

Press secretary Garvin Nicholas later said this was done to ensure the workshop flowed smoothly without any distractions, but apologised for the manner in which this was communicated to the media.