Sittings
11th Sitting of the Senate
3rd Session - 11th Republican Parliament
Leave of Absence was granted to Sen. H.R. Ian Roach from today’s Sitting. Ms. Stacy Cummings was appointed temporary Senator in Sen. Roach’s absence.
Temporary Senator, Ms. Stacy Cummings, took her oath of allegiance.
The Insurance Bill, 2016, was brought from the House of Representatives.
Twenty-four Papers were laid in the names of the Minister of Finance, Minister of Public Utilities, Minister of Public Administration and Communications, Minister of National Security, Minister of Trade and Industry and Vice-President of the Senate. See Order Paper and Supplemental Order Paper for details.
Two reports were presented. See Order Paper for details.
Four urgent questions were posed. See Order Paper for details.
Six Questions qualified for oral answer. Questions #15 and #32 were deferred. See Order Paper for details.
Sen. Wade Mark made a request for leave to move the adjournment of the House on a definite matter of urgent public importance namely the failure of the Government to adequately ensure that the National Security framework of Trinidad and Tobago is effective and efficient. The President of the Senate was not satisfied that this matter qualified under Standing Order 17.
The Attorney General moved the second reading of The Miscellaneous Provisions (Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters, Proceeds of Crime, Financial Intelligence Unit of Trinidad and Tobago, Customs and Exchange Control) Bill, 2017. Debate began on the Bill.
Sen. Wade Mark raised a matter on the adjournment which addressed the issue of revenue shortfalls that have been foregone owing to the absence of mechanisms in quarrying industry by the Government. The Minister of Energy and Energy Industries responded.
Sen. Taharqa Obika raised a matter on the adjournment regarding the need for the Government to properly explain the sudden resignation of the Chairman of the Economic Development Advisory Board and the potential adverse impact of his resignation on the work of the Board. The Minister of Planning and Development responded.