Leave of absence was granted to Sen. the Hon. Rohan Sinanan and Sen. Wade Mark. Mr. Imran Mohammed and Ms. Racquel Ghany were appointed Senators on a temporary basis. Ms. Ayanna Lewis was appointed a Senator, with effect from February 14, 2017.

Temporary Senators, Mr. Imran Mohammed and Ms. Racquel Ghany, together with Permanent Senator, Ms. Ayanna Lewis, took their oaths of allegiance.

The President informed that, at a Sitting of the House of Representatives on February 13, 2017, the House agreed to the following motion: “Be it Resolved that this House adopt the Report of the Joint Select Committee appointed to consider and report on the Tax Information Exchange Agreements Bill, 2016, as an Interim Report and the time be extended for the Joint Select Committee to complete its work and report to this House by Thursday February 23, 2017”.

Eleven Papers were laid in the names of the Minister of Finance, the Vice-President of the Senate, Minister of Works and Transport and Minister of National Security. See Order Paper and Supplemental Order Paper for details.

One urgent question was posed. See Order Paper for details.

Four questions qualified for oral answer. Due to Sen. Mark’s absence, all questions were deferred for one week. See Order Paper for details.

The Acting Leader of Government Business moved a motion that the Senate extend the time for the JSC on the Tax Information Exchange Agreements Bill, 2016, to complete its work to Thursday February 23, 2017. The motion was approved.

Debate continued on the motion to Amend the Legislative Retirement Allowances Act. The motion was not approved.

Opposition Senator Wayne Sturge moved a motion on the unacceptable level of violent crime in Trinidad and Tobago. The motion was seconded by Sen. Ameen.

The Sitting concluded at 5:58 p.m. The Senate adjourned to a date to be fixed.