At precisely 10 a.m. the Clerk of the Senate will read the Proclamation indicating the place and time for the commencement of the Third Session of the Ninth Parliament. The National Anthem will then be played.

The President indicated that His Excellency the President wishes to address both Houses of Parliament assembled together. The sitting was then suspended and Senators proceeded to the Parliament Chamber to await the arrival of His Excellency.

His Excellency Prof. George Maxwell Richards, TC, CMT, Ph.D, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, addressed members of both Houses assembled in the Parliament Chamber.

The President granted leave of absence to the Attorney General, Sen. the Hon. John Jeremie, SC, who was out of the country. Mr. Noel Gayle was appointed to temporarily replace Sen. Jeremie during his absence from Trinidad and Tobago.

The Leader of Government Business moved that the Address by His Excellency the President on the Occasion of the Ceremonial Opening of the Third Session of the Ninth Parliament of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago be printed as a House Paper. Leave was granted.

The Minister of National Security moved that the next stage of the Bill be taken on Friday January 15, 2010 at 10 a.m. Following brief discussions, the Senate agreed to begin debate on the Bill on Monday January 18, 2010 at 1:30 p.m.

At its next sitting, debate will commence on the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2010, which is in the name of the Minister of National Security.