The President of the Senate granted leave of absence to Sen. the Hon. Kevin Ramnarine and Sen. the Hon. Gerald Hadeed, who were both out of the country. Mr. Daniel Solomon and Rev. Barbara Grey-Burke were appointed to temporarily replace Senators Ramnarine and Hadeed during their absence.

The Adoption of Children (Amendment) Bill, 2014, which was passed in the House of Representatives on Thursday January 22, 2015, was read a first time in the name of the Minister of Gender, Youth and Child Development. The Leader of Government business moved that the next stage of the bill be taken at a sitting of the Senate on Tuesday February 3, 2015. Leave was granted.

Three Papers were laid. See the Supplemental Order Paper.

Three questions qualify for oral answer. See the Order Paper.

One Report was presented by Sen. Dr Victor Wheeler, The Eighteenth Report of the Joint Select Committee on Ministries, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (Group 2) on the Administration and Operations of the Government Human Resources Services Company Limited (GHRS).

Debate resumed (from November 18, 2014) on a Private Motion by Sen. Dr. Victor Wheeler which asks the Senate to call on the Government to take immediate steps to conduct a comprehensive review of the Regional Health Authority system in the delivery of health care in Trinidad and Tobago. Sen. Camille Robinson-Regis was the first to enter the debate, followed by Sen. Dr. Rolph Balgobin, Sen. Joy Abdul-Mohan and the Minister of the Environment and Water Resources, during whose contribution debate was suspended.

Tributes were paid in the Senate to former President of the Senate Joseph Emmanuel Carter, who passed away on 21 January 2015. The Senate then stood in silence for one minute as a mark of respect.

At the next sitting of the Senate, debate is expected on the Adoption of Children (Amendment) Bill, 2014.