Leave of absence was granted to Sen. Janelle John-Bates and Sen. Dr. Marlene Attzs, who are ill. Mr. Sanjiv Boodhu and Mr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid were appointed temporary senators in place of Sen. Faris Al-Rawi, SC, who is out of the country, and Sen. John-Bates respectively.

The Senate announced the revocation of the appointment of Mr. Larry Lalla as a temporary senator.

Sen. the Hon. Wade Mark [President of the Senate]

Temporary senators Boodhu and Abdul-Hamid took the oath of allegiance.

Sen. Sanjiv Boodhu [Opposition Senator (Temporary)]

Sen. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid [Opposition Senator (Temporary)]

The Finance Bill, 2025 was introduced in the name of the Minister of Finance. The Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Sen. the Hon. Dr. Kennedy Swaratsingh, moved that the next stage of the bill be taken later in the proceedings. The motion was approved.

Sen. the Hon. Dr. Kennedy Swaratsingh [Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development and Minister in the Ministry of Finance]

Four papers were laid. See Order Paper for details.

Sen. the Hon. Eli Zakour [Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation]

Sen. the Hon. Dominic Smith [Minister of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence]

One urgent question was posed and answered. See Order Paper.

Sen. Dr. Amery Browne [Opposition Senator]

Hon. Wayne Sturge, MP [Minister of Defence and Minister in the Ministry of Homeland Security]

The Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Sen. the Hon. Kennedy Swaratsingh, moved the second reading of the Finance Bill, 2025. Debate began on the bill. Eleven members contributed to the debate before the wind up by the Minister in the Ministry of Finance. With 21 votes for, 6 votes against and 1 abstention, the bill was read a third time and passed.

Sen. the Hon. Dr. Kennedy Swaratsingh [Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development and Minister in the Ministry of Finance]

Sen. Dr. Amery Browne [Opposition Senator]

Sen. Francis Lewis [Independent Senator]

Hon. Dr. Rishad Seecheran, MP [Minister in the Ministry of Health]

Sen. Vishnu Dhanpaul [Opposition Senator]

Sen. Michael Simon Victor de la Bastide SC [Independent Senator]

Sen. the Hon. Dominic Smith [Minister of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence]

Sen. Sanjiv Boodhu [Opposition Senator (Temporary)]

Sen. the Hon. Eli Zakour [Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation]

Sen. Melanie Roberts-Radgman [Opposition Senator]

Sen. the Hon. Anil Roberts [Minister in the Ministry of Housing]

Sen. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid [Opposition Senator (Temporary)]

The Sitting concluded at 9:38 p.m.