Leave of absence was granted to Sen. the Hon. Amery Browne, who is out of the country. Mr. Ndale Young was appointed temporary Senator in his place.

Temporary Senator, Ndale Young, took the oath of allegiance.

The President of the Senate informed of the change in membership to the JSC on Government Assurances.

52 papers were laid. See the Order Paper.

Seven Reports from Committees were presented. See the Order Paper.

Two urgent questions were posed and answered.

Five Questions on Notice qualified for oral answer. Question #76 was deferred for two weeks. See the Order Paper.

The Acting Leader of Government Business, Sen. the Hon. Paula Gopee-Scoon moved a motion that the Committee appointed to consider and report on the Fisheries Management (No. 2) Bill, 2020 be granted an extension to September 1, 2023 to complete its work and submit a final report. The motion was approved.

The Acting Leader of Government Business, Sen. the Hon. Paula Gopee-Scoon moved a motion that the Committee appointed to consider and report on the Shipping Bill, 2020 be granted an extension to September 8, 2023 to complete its work and submit a final report. The motion was approved.

Debate resumed (from February 28, 2023) on a Private Motion by Senator Wade Mark asking the Government to proclaim the remaining sections of the Data Protection Act. Three members made contributions (18 over three days of debate) before Senator Mark rose to wind up the debate. The Motion as amended by Sen. Gopee-Scoon was approved by a margin of 23 for, seven against and no abstentions.

Senator Mark moved a Private Motion asking the Senate to, inter alia, reaffirm its commitment to introduce a legislative framework on Parliamentary Autonomy. The Attorney General, Sen. the Hon. Reginald Armour, S.C., began his contribution.

Sen. Wade Mark raised a matter on the adjournment regarding the status of repairs to the North Chamber. The Acting Leader of Government Business, Sen. the Hon. Paula Gopee-Scoon, responded.

Sen. Mark raised a second matter on the failure of the Government to properly address claims that US $10 Million, in the name of the National Energy Company, went missing from the company’s First Citizens Bank account. The Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Hon. Brian Manning, MP, responded.

The Senate brought greetings to the Spiritual Shouter Baptist community on the occasion of Spiritual Shouter Baptist Liberation Day on March 30. The Senate also brought greetings to commemorate Easter Celebrations 2023. The Sitting concluded at  6:30 p.m.