Leave of absence was granted to Sen. the Hon. Dr. Amery Browne, Sen. the Hon. Allyson West, Sen. the Hon. Donna Cox and Sen. the Hon. Avinash Singh, who are out of the country. Mr. Michael Seales, Ms. Yokymma Bethelmy, Mr. Harvey Borris and Mr. Ndale Young were appointed temporary Senators in their place.

Sen. the Hon. Nigel de Freitas [President of the Senate]

Temporary Senators Mr. Michael Seales, Ms. Yokymma Bethelmy, Mr. Harvey Borris and Mr. Ndale Young took the oath of allegiance.

Sen. Michael Seales [Government Senator (Temporary)]

Sen. Yokymma Bethelmy [Government Senator (Temporary)]

Sen. Harvey Borris [Government Senator (Temporary)]

Sen. Ndale Young [Government Senator (Temporary)]

The Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2023 was brought from the House of Representatives in the name of the Minister of Finance, Hon. Colm Imbert, MP, who moved that the next stage of the bill be taken forthwith. The motion was approved.

Hon. Colm Imbert, MP [Minister of Public Utilities]

The Minister of Finance, Hon. Colm Imbert, MP, moved the second reading of The Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2023. Nineteen members contributed to the debate before the wind up by the Minister of Finance. The bill was committed to a Committee of the Whole for consideration clause by clause. With 19 votes for, 9 votes against and 2 abstentions, the bill was approved with amendments. With 19 votes for, 8 votes against, 3 abstentions, the bill was read a third time and passed.

Hon. Colm Imbert, MP [Minister of Public Utilities]

Sen. Wade Mark [Opposition Senator]

Sen. Charrise Seepersad [Independent Senator]

Sen. the Hon. Renuka Sagramsingh-Sooklal [Minister in the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs]

Sen. Anthony Vieira SC [Independent Senator]

Sen. Jayanti Lutchmedial-Ramdial [Opposition Senator]

Sen. Dr. Maria Dillon-Remy [Independent Senator]

Sen. Dr. Varma Deyalsingh [Independent Senator]

Sen Laurence Hislop [Government Senator]

Sen. Damian Lyder [Opposition Senator]

Sen. Amrita Deonarine [Independent Senator]

Sen. Dr. Paul Richards [Independent Senator]

Sen. the Hon. Reginald Armour SC [Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs]

Sen. Anil Roberts [Opposition Senator]

Sen. Deoroop Teemal [Independent Senator]

Sen. the Hon. Paula Gopee-Scoon [Minister of Trade and Industry]

Sen. David Nakhid [Opposition Senator]

Sen. Hazel Thompson-Ahye [Independent Senator]

Sen. the Hon. Randall Mitchell [Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts]

Sen. Evans Welch [Independent Senator]

The Sitting concluded at 2:38 a.m. on Friday July 21, 2023.