Sittings
10th Sitting of the Senate
3rd Session - 11th Republican Parliament
Leave of absence was granted to Sen. the Hon. Franklin Khan and Sen. Foster Cummings who are both out of the country. Ms. Ayanna Lewis and Mr. Ndale Young were appointed in their absence.
Temporary Senators, Ms. Ayanna Lewis and Mr. Ndale Young took their oaths of allegiance.
The President of the Senate informed that, via correspondence dated January 29, 2018 from the Speaker of the House, the House of Representatives agreed to refer the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2018 to a Joint Select Committee for consideration and report by March 31, 2018. Subject to the concurrence of the Senate, six members of the Senate are to be appointed to this Committee.
Three papers were laid in the name of the Minister of Finance. See Order Paper for details.
One report was presented. See Order Paper for details.
Five urgent questions were posed and answered. See Order Paper for details.
Four questions qualified for oral answer. See Order Paper for details.
Senator Hosein made a request for leave to move the adjournment of the House on a definite matter of public importance namely the failure of the Government to properly manage and administer our nation’s prisons resulting in the safety and security of prison officers and their families being compromised as well as inmates. The President of the Senate was not satisfied that this matter qualified under the Standing Order.
Acting Leader of Government Business, Sen. the Hon. Clarence Rambharat, moved a motion that the Senate concur with the House of Representatives in the establishment of a Joint Select Committee to consider and report on the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2018. Six senators were appointed. The Senate agreed to this motion.
The Minister of Health moved a motion to Approve the Dental Profession (Amendment to the Schedule) Order, 2017 and debate began on the motion. Sen. Haynes is first to enter the debate, followed by Sen. H.R. Ian Roach, Sen. Ronald Huggins, Sen. Wade Mark, Sen. Dhanayshar Mahabir, Sen. Saddam Hosein, Sen. Melissa Ramkissoon, Sen. the Hon. Jennifer Baptiste-Primus, Sen. Gerald Ramdeen, Sen. Stephen Creese and Sen. Sophia Chote. The motion was approved.
Sen. Wade Mark raised a matter on the adjournment namely the failure of the Government to ratify the Paris climate agreement. The Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs responded.