Leave of absence was granted to Sen. the Hon. Dr. Amery Browne and Sen. Damian Lyder, who are out of the country and to Sen. Jayanti Lutchmedial-Ramdial, who is ill. Mr. Vyash Nandlal, Mr. Colin Neil Gosine and Dr. Tim Gopeesingh were appointed temporary senators in their place.

The President of the Senate welcomed a delegation from the Jamaican House of Parliament, who were present at the Sitting.

Temporary Senators Nandlal, Gosine and Gopeesingh took the oath of allegiance.

The Whistleblower Protection Bill, 2022 and the Miscellaneous Provisions (Testing and Identification) Bill, 2021 were brought from the House of Representatives in the name of the Attorney General and the Minister of National Security respectively.

Three papers were laid. See Order Paper and Supplemental Order Paper for details.

One report was laid. See Order Paper.

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

Eight questions qualified for oral answer. See Order Paper. Question #124 was deferred.

The Leader of Government Business (Ag.) moved a motion that the St. Dominic’s Children’s Home (Incorporation) Bill, 2023 be carried over to the 5th Session and that the Special Select Committee of the Senate appointed to consider and report on the St. Dominic’s Children’s Home (Incorporation) Bill, 2023 be re-established in the 5th Session. The motion was carried.

Debate resumed on the private motion re Government’s commitment to democracy in Trinidad and Tobago, which was in progress when the Senate adjourned on April 23, 2024. Seven senators added their voice to the debate before the adjournment of the Senate.

Sen. Wade Mark raised a matter on the adjournment namely ‘the need for a status report on the Dragon field project given Shell’s indecision on its financial investment decision’. The Minister of Energy and Energy Industries, Hon. Stuart Young, MP, responded.

The Sitting concluded at 6:20 p.m.