Leave of absence was granted to Sen. Sophia Chote, S.C., who is ill. Mr. Josh Drayton was appointed a temporary Senator in her absence.

Temporary Senator Josh Drayton took the oath of allegiance.

The Finance (Variation of Appropriation) (Financial Year 2018) Bill, 2019 was brought from the House of Representatives. The Minister in the Ministry of Finance moved that the next stage of the Bill be taken later in the proceedings.

Four papers were laid. See Order Papers for details.

One Report was presented.

Three urgent questions were posed.

Eleven questions qualified for oral answer. Question #41 was deferred for two weeks.

The Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Sen. the Hon. Allyson West, moved the second reading of The Finance (Variation of Appropriation)(Financial Year 2018) Bill, 2019. Debate began on the Bill. Following the debate, the Bill was read a third time and passed.

Sen. Wade Mark raised a matter on the adjournment regarding the recognition / certification of trade unions. The Minister of Labour and Small Enterprise Development responded.
Sen. Taharqa Obika raised a matter on the need for the Government to ensure better long term urban planning including housing development in the borough of Point Fortin. The Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries responded.

The Sitting concluded at 9:27 p.m. The Senate adjourned to Tuesday January 22, 2019 at 1:30 p.m.