Leave of absence was granted to the following Members for today’s Sitting:
Hon. Nicole Olivierre (MP for LaBrea)
Hon. Esmond Forde (MP for Tunapuna)
Dr. Bhoendradatt Tewarie (MP for Caroni Central)
Hon. Camille Robinson-Regis (MP for Arouca/Maloney)
Hon. Anthony Garcia (MP for Arima)
Dr. Roodal Moonilal (MP for Oropouche East)

The House paid tribute to Former Minister and Former Member of Parliament for St. Ann’s East, Mr. Lincoln Myers who passed away on Tuesday 15th March 2016.

Hon. Faris Al-Rawi presented the second interim report of the Joint Select Committee appointed to consider and report on the Whistleblower Protection Bill, 2015.

In keeping with Standing Order #26, Prime Minister Question Time was a feature of this Sitting. As such, Hon. Dr. Keith Rowley, MP, answered questions posed by a number of Members of the Opposition. See the Order Paper for details.

Five Urgent questions were posed and answered. See Order Paper for details.

Two questions qualified for Oral Answer. Question #71 was deferred. See Order Paper for details.

Dr. Fuad Khan, MP made a request for leave to move the adjournment of the house on definite matters of Urgent Public Importance namely the denial of jobs for returning medical graduates who have completed their internships and need jobs in the public sector in order to maintain their provisional registration on the medical board. Mr. Rudranath Indarsingh, MP also made a similar request highlighting the failure of the Government to effectively deal with the rising tide of dismissal, termination and retrenchment of workers. The Speaker was not satisfied that these matter qualified under the Standing Order 17 and advised the Member to pursue this matter under Standing Order 16.

The Attorney General moved a Motion asking that the Joint Select Committee on the Whistleblower Protection Bill, 2015 be allowed an extension of seven (7) weeks in which to complete its work and to produce a final report by April 29, 2016. The motion was approved.

The Attorney General moved the second reading of the Strategic Services Agency (Amendment) Bill 2016. Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP, was the first to enter the debate. View the progress of this Bill.

Prior to the adjournment, Members of the House expressed greetings to the nation as we anticipate upcoming celebrations of Easter and Spiritual Baptist Liberation Day. The Sitting concluded at 7:00 p.m. The House adjourned to Friday April 1st 2016 at 1:30 p.m.