Sen. Helen Drayton is out of the country and was granted leave of absence by the President of the Senate.

The Vice President of the Senate then read a letter from the President of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago appointing Dr. Kriyaan Singh as a temporary Senator.

They then took the Oath of Allegiance as temporary Senators for today’s siting.

6 Papers were laid in the Senate. See the Order Paper.

Two Questions qualify for Oral Answer. See the Order Paper.

5 Reports were laid in the Senate. See the Order Paper.

The Attorney General moved the second reading of the Libel and Defamation (Amendment) Bill, 2013. Sen. Faris Al-Rawi was the first to join the debate followed by Sen. Anthony Vieira. Sen. the Hon. Devant Maharaj was next to contribute to the Bill followed by Sen. Camille Robinson-Regis, Sen. Dr. Rolph Balgobin, Sen. the Hon. Gerald Hadeed, Sen. Diane Baldeo-Chadeesingh, Sen. Dr. Dhanayshar Mahabir, Sen. the Hon. Raziah Ahmed, Senator Avinash Singh and Senator Shamfa Cudjoe. The Attorney General then rose to wind up the debate. The Bill was then committed to a committee of the Senate to be considered clause by clause.

The Senate has adjourned to to Tuesday 25th at 1:30 p.m where the Private Members Motion will be considered.

The Senators along with the President of the Senate sent best wishes the Assistant Marshal on her retirement.