Leave of absence was granted to Sen. Daniel Solomon who is ill. Mr. Sean Sobers was appointed to replace Sen. Solomon on a temporary basis.

Temporary Opposition Senator, Mr. Sean Sobers, took his oath of allegiance.

The International Financial Organisations (Corporacion Andina de Fomento) Bill, 2017 and the Indictable Offences (Pre-Trial Procedure) Bill, 2017 were brought from the House of Representatives in the names of the Minister of Finance and the Attorney General respectively.

Thirteen papers were laid in the names of the Vice-President of the Senate, Minister of Finance, Minister of Trade and Industry, Minister of Works and Transport and Minister of Housing and Urban Development. See Order Paper and Supplemental Order Paper for details.

Three Reports were presented. See Order Paper for details.

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

Three questions qualified for oral answer and were answered. See Order Paper for details.

The Acting Leader of Government Business raised a motion to allow an extension of six weeks to the JSC – Insurance 2016 in order for the Committee to complete its work and submit a report by April 28, 2017. The motion was approved. Another motion was raised to allow an extension of ten weeks to the JSC – Gambling (Gaming and Betting) Control Bill, 2016 in order for the Committee to complete its work and submit a report by May 19, 2017. The motion was approved.

The Acting Leader of Government Business moved a motion to appoint Mr. Gerald Ramdeen to the JSC on Energy Affairs, Ms. Khadijah Ameen to the JSC on Local Authorities, Service Commissions and Statutory Authorities (including the THA) and Mr. Wade Mark to the JSC on Land and Physical Infrastructure, all in lieu of Mr. Daniel Solomon. The motion was approved.

Debate continued on the Miscellaneous Provisions (Trial by Judge Alone) Bill, 2017. The Sitting adjourned before the completion of the debate.

Sen. Wade Mark raised a matter on the adjournment on negative effects of the Government’s decisions to dissolve the Tourism Development Company on March 9, 2017. The Minister of Tourism responded.

Sen. Khadijah Ameen raised a matter on the adjournment on the uncertainty of the continuation of the Citizen’s Security Programme. The Minister of National Security responded.

The Sitting concluded at 5:47 p.m. The Senate adjourned to Tuesday March 28, 2017 at 1:30 p.m.