Leave of absence was granted to Sen. the Hon. Donna Cox and Sen. Damian Lyder. Mr. Michael Seales and Mr. Colin Gosine were appointed temporary senators in their place.

Temporary Senators Seales and Gosine took the oath of allegiance.

The President of the Senate, Sen. the Hon. Nigel de Freitas, informed of correspondence received from the House of Representatives re change in membership of Joint Select Committees.

The Senate paid tribute to former Chief Justice and former Independent Senator, Michael de la Bastide, who passed away on March 30, 2024. Mr. de la Bastide served from 1981-1986. A minute of silence was observed.

The Senate also paid tribute to former Government Senator, Amrika Tiwari-Reddy, who passed away on April 7, 2024. Ms. Tiwari-Reddy served during the 3rd Republican Parliament. A minute of silence was observed.

The Miscellaneous Provisions (Administration of Justice) Bill, 2023 was brought from the House of Representatives in the name of the Attorney General.

Eighteen papers were laid. See the Order Paper.

Two reports were presented. See Order Paper.

Three urgent questions were posed and answered. See Order Paper.

There are ten Questions on Notice listed on the Order Paper. All questions were answered.

The Leader of Government Business, Sen. the Hon. Dr. Amery Browne, moved a motion that the Special Select Committee appointed to report on the Miscellaneous Provisions (Trial By Judge Alone) Bill, 2023, be granted an extension to May 31, 2024 to complete its work. The motion was approved.

He moved another motion that the Joint Select Committee appointed to report on the Representation of the People (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2020 be granted an extension to June 30, 2024 to complete its work. The motion was approved.

The Minister of Finance, Hon. Colm Imbert, MP, moved a Motion to approve the Notification of the appointment of Mrs. Patsy Latchman-Atterbury to the office of Director General of the Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority. Four senators contributed to the debate before the wind up by the Minister of Finance. A division was taken, the result of which was 23 for, six against and one abstention. The Motion was approved.

The Senate then considered a Motion in the name of the Minister of Finance to approve the Notification of the appointment of Mrs. Helen Thomas-Brown to the office of Deputy Director General – Domestic Tax of the Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority. In so doing, the Senate also agreed to debate a similar Motion to appoint Mr. Riad Juman to the office of Deputy Director General – Customs and Excise of the Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority. Two Senators made contributions before the Minister of Finance rose to wind up. Divisions were taken for both motions, the result of which was 23 for, six against and one abstention.

Senator Wade Mark raised as a matter on the motion for the adjournment of the Senate, the failure of the Government to adequately resource the Repatriation Advisory Committee to carry out its work with respect to repatriating Trinidad and Tobago nationals stranded in the Middle East. The Minister of National Security responded.

Senator Sunity Maharaj next raised, the need for Government to address the recommended salary increases for several of this country’s uppermost public officials contained in the 117th Salaries  Review Commission Report. The Minister of Finance responded.

At the next sitting, Private Business will take precedence. The sitting ended at 3:35 p.m.