Leave of Absence was granted to the following members for today’s Sitting:
Dr. Tim Gopeesingh, MP for Caroni East
Mr. Ganga Singh, MP for Chaguanas West and
Hon. Colm Imbert, MP for Diego Martin North East.

Six papers were laid in the names of the Minister of Finance and the Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister including the Customs (Amendment to the First Schedule) Order 2016 and the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2016. Papers 1, 3 & 4 will be referred to the Public Accounts (Enterprises) Committee. See Order Paper and Supplemental Order Paper for details.

One urgent question was posed to the Minister of National Security. See Order Paper for details.

Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC, MP, sought leave to move the adjournment of the House on a definite matter of Urgent Public Importance namely the failure of the Ministry of National Security to address the safety and security of state witnesses who have put their lives at risk to give evidence on most important criminal prosecutions in our country. The Speaker of the House was not satisfied that this matter qualified under Standing Order 17.

Hon. Faris Al-Rawi, having been authorized by Cabinet, made a statement on the production and publication of the legislative agenda so that the general population can have direct insight into matters of legislative priority for this Government. The Government’s legislative agenda will be released today via the Parliament’s website.

The Attorney General, Hon. Faris Al-Rawi, MP, made a statement informing that the commitments given in November 2015 to CFATF are well in tow and that the local issues arising out of the Panama Papers are receiving active attention with particular focus on enabling the efforts of requisite lawful investigative and prosecutorial agencies in and outside of Trinidad and Tobago.

The debate on the Strategic Services Agency (Amendment) Bill 2016 which began at the 18th Sitting of the House on Friday March 18, 2016 continued at today’s Sitting. The Bill was taken to the Committee of the Whole where no amendments were made. The Bill was then read for a third time and passed.

The Sitting concluded at 8:17 p.m. The House adjourned to Friday April 22 2016 at 1:30 p.m.