Leave of absence was granted to Sen. the Hon. Dr. Amery Browne, who is out of the country. Mr. Ndale Young was appointed temporary Senator in his place. Temporary Senator Karunaa Bisramsingh’s appointment was revoked and Mr. Dominic Smith was appointed temporary Senator in place of Sen. Anil Roberts, who is ill.

Temporary Senators, Mr. Ndale Young and Mr. Dominic Smith, took the oath of allegiance.

One paper was laid. See Order Paper.

One urgent question was posed and answered. See Order Paper.

Four questions qualified for oral answer. All questions were answered.

The Minister of Finance, Hon. Colm Imbert, MP, moved the second reading of The Finance (Supplementation and Variation of Appropriation) (Financial Year 2023) Bill, 2023, in the Senate. Debate began on the bill. Seventeen senators contributed to the debate before the wind up by the Minister of Finance. The bill was then read a third time and passed.

The Attorney General, Sen. the Hon. Reginald Armour, concluded the wind up of the debate on the Miscellaneous Provisions (Trial By Judge Alone) Bill, 2023. The Attorney General then moved that the bill be referred to a Special Select Committee of the Senate to consider and report on the bill by Tuesday June 6, 2023. Seven members were appointed to serve on the Committee.

Sen. Wade Mark raised a matter on the adjournment regarding the need for the Government to explain its decision to require the provision of a utility bill for processing the renewal of driver permits. The Minister of Works and Transport, Sen. the Hon. Rohan Sinanan, responded.

Sen. Mark raised a second matter regarding the need for the Government to address the rising unemployment and underemployment amongst university graduates in Trinidad and Tobago. The Minister of Labour, Hon. Stephen Mc Clashie, MP, responded.

The Sitting concluded at 9:37 p.m.