Sittings
17th Sitting of the House of Representatives
1st Session - 13th Republican Parliament
The House paid tribute to former Parliamentarian, Mr. Edward Hart, who passed away on January 4, 2026. A minute of silence was observed.
Nineteen papers were laid. See the Order Paper.
Two urgent questions were posed and answered. See Order Paper.
There were 12 Questions on Notice listed for oral answer. See the Order Paper. Eleven questions were answered before the time for questions on notice expired.
The Leader of the House moved under Standing Order 126 that the Prime Minister and Attorney General be allowed to speak until the conclusion of their statements. The Prime Minister, Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP, spoke to the Parliament’s legislative agenda. The Attorney General then made a statement on the laying of the report of the Commission of Enquiry into the CLICO Matter.
- The Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was introduced by Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, who moved that the next stage of the Bill be taken later in the proceedings.
- The Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations) (Special Security and Community Development Measures) Bill, 2026 was introduced in the name of the Attorney General, who moved that the next stage of the Bill be taken later in the proceedings.
- The Tobago House of Assembly (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was introduced in the name of the Prime Minister, who moved that the next stage of the Bill be taken later in the proceedings.
All motions were approved.
The Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Sen. the Eli Zakour, moved the second reading of The Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill, 2026. Debate began on the bill. Six members contributed to the debate before the wind up by the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation. The bill was then committed to the Committee of the Whole for consideration clause by clause. The bill was approved with amendments. With 27 votes for, 11 votes against and no abstentions, the bill was read a third time and passed.
The Prime Minister, Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, MP, S.C., moved the second reading of The Tobago House of Assembly (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The Opposition Leader and Member for Arima, Hon. Pennelope Beckles-Robinson, MP, and the Member for Tobago West, Mr. Joel Sampson, MP, added their voice to the debate, before the wind up by the Prime Minister. The bill was committed to the Committee of the Whole to be considered clause by clause. The bill was approved with amendments. With 38 votes for, no votes against and no abstentions, the bill was read a third time and passed.
The Attorney General, Sen. the Hon. John Jeremie, S.C., moved the second reading of The Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations) (Special Security and Community Development Measures) Bill, 2026. Debate began on the bill. Seven members contributed to the debate before the wind up by the Attorney General. The bill was committed to a Committee of the Whole for consideration clause by clause. No amendments were made. With 27 votes for, 11 votes against and abstentions, the bill was read a third time and passed.
The Sitting concluded at 3:32 a.m. on Saturday 17th January, 2026.