Leave of absence was granted to Sen. the Hon. Hassel Bacchus and Sen. Damian Lyder, who are out of the country and to Sen. Anil Roberts, who is ill. Mr. Ndale Young, Dr. Tim Gopeesingh and Mr. Colin Gosine were appointed temporary senators in their place.

Temporary senators Young, Gopeesingh and Gosine took the oath of allegiance.

The Senate paid tribute to former Senator and Chief Secretary, Mr. Hochoy Charles, who passed away on December 31, 2023. A minute of silence was observed.

The Senate paid tribute to former parliamentarian and fifth Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Basdeo Panday. A minute of silence was observed.

The Senate paid tribute to former parliamentarian, Mr. Fazal Karim, who passed away on January 22, 2024. A minute of silence was observed.

Nineteen papers were laid. See the Order Paper.

One Report, The First Report of the Joint Select Committee on National Security, Fourth Session (2023/2024) of the Twelfth Parliament on an inquiry into the Criminal Justice System in Trinidad and Tobago to determine strategies to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness, was presented in the name of Sen. Dr. Paul Richards.

Four questions qualified for oral answer. All questions were answered.

The Leader of Government Business, Sen. the Hon. Dr. Amery Browne, made a motion that the Senate establish a Special Select Committee to consider and report on The Miscellaneous Provisions (Trial by Judge Alone) Bill, 2023 and that the Committee adopt the work done in the third Session and report by March 31, 2024. The motion was approved.

The Leader of Government Business, Sen. the Hon. Dr. Amery Browne, moved a motion that this private bill be referred to a Special Select Committee for consideration. The motion was approved.

Debate resumed on a private motion (adjourned on November 28, 2023) raised by Sen. Wade Mark, regarding the Development of the Dragon Gas Field in Venezuela. Three senators added their voice to the debate today before the wind up by Sen. Mark. With 15 votes for, 16 votes against and no abstentions, the motion was not carried.

Sen. Mark raised a matter on the adjournment on the need for the Government to explain the decision to sell CLICO’s shareholding in Methanol Holding International Limited contrary to a statement made in the Senate on April 25, 2023. The Minister of Finance, Hon. Colm Imbert, MP, responded.

Sen. Mark raised a second matter namely the need for the Government to explain why the National Insurance Board does not hold a directorship on the Board of Massy Holdings Limited despite being the largest shareholder in the company’s current structure. The Minister of Finance, Hon. Colm Imbert, MP, responded.

The Sitting concluded at 6:30 p.m.