With Parliament on its summer break, Randy Horton might have expected a gentle start when he was appointed Home Affairs Minister in July.

But after a national strike and a category three hurricane, his first few months in the job have been a baptism of fire.

"I don't know if it was a rude awakening but it was certainly an awakening in finding out what the Ministry was going to be like in the days ahead," said Mr. Horton.

"It's a very lively Ministry and calls for full attention 24 hours a day.

"I don't know whether anyone would want this job but it's a challenge I accepted and I was humbled that the Premier thought I was the person for this job. I was very moved when he asked me. In fact I was somewhat shocked."

He said Hurricane Fabian taught him the value of teamwork with so many playing a vital role in fixing up the Island.

"I take my hat off to every single member of the Regiment who came out to assist us."

He said an EMO debriefing later this month would discuss how to improve responses to hurricanes.

It might discuss tailoring Regiment training more closely to disaster relief, said the Minister.

Following Fabian came the Bermuda Industrial Union's national strike, which crippled transport and hampered hurricane repairs for three days.

Many of the workers who downed tools were employed in legally defined essential services, making their action illegal because they had not issued a 21-day strike notice.

And all the workers were striking illegally on the last day after Mr. Horton invoked the Trade Disputes Act and referred the process to arbitration.

He urged both employers and employees to develop relationships to make strikes a last resort but he has yet to announce what changes he has in mind after earlier hinting laws might need to be amended.

Some employers have urged on the spot fines for lawbreakers.

"We have to take a look at what should happen," said Mr. Horton.

"Obviously if the Minister makes a decision and the people decide the Minister's decision doesn't make a difference then we have a problem. I am not going to be specific but we have to take a very serious look at what should take place."

Term limits for work permits continue to be a hot topic, but Mr. Horton said there was no plan to change the current policy.

He had just met leaders from the International Business Forum the day he spoke to The Royal Gazette and said talks had been fruitful.

"We have a responsibility to help businesses feel more comfortable in the wake of policies we have come up with."

But he pointed out the policy had come about after a lot of consultation.

"We have a group of people answering questions companies have but there is no change of policy."

Balancing the work permit issue is the greatest challenge, said Mr. Horton, as it affected the quality of life on the Island.

He said the Finance Ministry was pushing ahead with unemployment insurance which employees and employers will contribute to.

The Minister dismissed the idea the fund should be limited to just hotel workers who might need it most.

"It's a question of principle. The Government believes there should be unemployment insurance and it should be shared among all."

Another thorny issue is the opt-out clause in the Employment Act 2000 which allows employees and workers to come to their own arrangement rather than adhere to set overtime compensation for work over 40 hours a week.

Previous Minister Terry Lister had advocated abolishing this clause and working out when overtime would kick in on an industry by industry basis.

The Minister admitted his newness in the job meant he was careful not to speak out without going through Cabinet but said he favoured Mr. Lister's approach.

Work on the new Police and court building would be likely to start next year in Court Street, said Mr. Horton.

"It was put back a year but I will not allow that period to be extended. I realise the facility in Hamilton is not adequate.

"I am very pleased the Police are able to carry out their duties even in what I consider to be conditions that are not up to par."

And work on Southside Police station should start even sooner with the tendering process beginning this month and work likely to start early next year.

He promised St. George's would still have a Police building which he said would be "more than a kiosk".

Splitting his time between the Ministry and the Fairmont Hamilton Princess where he is director of training, Mr. Horton has been working long hours.

"I find myself working 12 to 14 hours a day. It's a bit of challenge. I am enjoying it. It's made life much more exciting than it was before."