Leave of absence was granted to Dr. Rai Ragbir, MP for Cumuto/Manzanilla, from today’s Sitting of the House.

The House paid tribute on the passing of former Minister in the Ministry of Education and Member for D’Abadie / O’Meara, Mrs. Lisa Morris-Julian. A minute of silence was observed.

The Speaker of the House, Hon. Bridgid Annisette-George, MP, informed of correspondence received from the Clerk of the National Assembly of the Parliament of Guyana expressing sympathy on passing of Mrs. Lisa Morris-Julian.

The House paid tribute on the passing of former Member of Pointe-a-Pierre, Mr. William Chaitan. Mr. Chaitan served during the 6th Republican Parliament. A minute of silence was observed.

Twenty-four papers were laid. See Order Paper.

Two reports were presented. See Order Paper for details.

One urgent question was posed and answered.

Six questions qualified for oral answer. See Order Paper. All questions were answered.

The National Emblems of Trinidad and Tobago (Regulation) (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was introduced in the name of the Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, Sen. the Hon. Randall Mitchell. The Leader of the House, Hon. Camille Robinson-Regis, MP, moved that the next stage of the bill be taken later in the proceedings. The motion was approved.

The Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Keith Rowley, MP, moved a motion that the House take note of the Statement by the President under section 9(1) of the Constitution setting out the specific grounds on which the decision to declare the existence of a state of public emergency was based. The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, S.C., MP, was the first contributor to the motion, followed by the Attorney General, Sen. the Hon. Reginald Armour, S.C. The Prime Minister then wound up the debate. The motion was approved.

The Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Keith Rowley, MP, moved a motion that the Proclamation made by the President on the 30th day of December, 2024 declaring that a state of public emergency exists in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago be extended for a further period of three months. Nine members contributed to the debate before the wind up by the Prime Minister. The motion was approved.

The Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, Sen. the Hon. Randall Mitchell, moved the second reading of The National Emblems of Trinidad and Tobago (Regulation) (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Debate began on the bill. Three members added their voice to the debate before the wind up by Sen. the Hon. Randall Mitchell. The bill was then committed to a Committee of the Whole to consider the bill clause by clause. No amendments were made. The bill was read a third time and passed.

The Sitting concluded at 11:10 p.m.