The Clerk of the Senate read the Proclamation declaring the 2nd Session of the 11th Republican Parliament open. The National Anthem was then played.

Leave of absence was granted to Sen. the Hon. Dennis Moses, Sen. Gerald Hadeed and Sen. Daniel Solomon who are all out of the country, and to Sen. Taurel Shrikissoon and Sen. Sophia Chote, SC from today’s Sitting.

Ms. Ayanna Lewis, Mr. Gerald Ramdeen and Mr. Wayne Munro were temporarily appointed to replce Sen. the Hon. Dennis Moses, Sen. Gerald Hadeed and Sen. Daniel Solomon respectively for the duration of their absence.

Temporary Senators Ms. Ayanna Lewis, Mr. Gerald Ramdeen and Mr. Wayne Munro took their oaths of allegiance.

Following the adoption of the first report of the Committee on Government Assurances in the Senate on Tuesday July 5, 2016, the Speaker announced that with effect from Monday September 26, 2016, assurances made to the House by Ministers during questions, statements and matters on the adjournment will be recorded and monitored for implementation.

With effect from Monday September 26, 2016, the revised Standing Orders will be used.

Five papers were laid in the name of the Minister of Finance. See Supplemental Order Paper for details.

Prior to the adjournment of the Sitting, the Senate brought greetings to citizens in celebration of Republic Day on September 24. The Sitting concluded at 2:06 p.m. and the Senate adjourned to a date to be fixed.

The Bill was read a first time in the name of the Attorney General, who moved that the next stage be taken forthwith. The Senate agreed.

The Attorney General then moved the second reading of the Tobago House of Assembly Election (Validation) Bill, 2017, which was passed in the House on January 20, 2017. Sen. Wade Mark was first to enter the debate, followed by Sen. Dr. Dhanayshar Mahabir and the Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries. Ten Senators made contributions before the Attorney General rose to wind up the debate. The Bill was read a second time, then referred to a Committee of the Whole where it was considered clause by clause and approved without amendment. The Bill was then read a third time and passed. A division was taken at third reading, the result of which was 28 for, one against, no abstentions.

The President adjourned the sitting to its originally scheduled date of Tuesday January 24, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. The sitting ended at 3:23 p.m.