Leave of absence was granted to Sen. the Hon. Paula Gopee-Scoon and Sen. Khadijah Ameen. Mr. Augustus Thomas and Ms. Racquel Ghany were appointed to replace Senators Gopee-Scoon and Ameen respectively.

Temporary Senators Mr. Augustus Thomas and Ms. Racquel Ghany took their oaths of allegiance.

The Tax Information Exchange Agreements (United States of America) Bill, 2016 was brought from the House of Representatives by the Minister of Finance. The next stage of the Bill will be taken later in the proceedings.

Twenty Papers were laid in the names of the Minister of Finance, Vice-President of the Senate, Minister of Education, Minister of Works and Transport and Minister of Health. See Order Paper for details.

Senator W. Michael Coppin presented the Report of the JSC – Tax Information Exchange Agreements Bill, 2016.

Four urgent questions were posed. See Order Paper for details.

Ten questions qualified for oral answer. See Order Paper for details.

One Bill was introduced in the name of the Attorney General.

Hon. Colm Imbert, MP moved the 2nd reading of the Tax Information Exchange Agreements (USA) Bill, 2016 in the Senate. Debate ensued on this Bill. The Bill was committed to a Committee of the Whole Senate to be considered clause by clause. No amendments were made. The Bill was read a third time and passed with 29 votes for, 0 votes against and 1 abstention.

The Sitting concluded at 9:18 p.m. The Senate adjourned to Tuesday March 14, 2017 at 1:30 p.m.