The Vice President granted leave of absence to Sen. the Hon. Bhoendradatt Tewarie. Archbishop Barbara Gray-Burke was appointed to temporarily replace Sen. Tewarie during his absence.

The Regional Health Authorities (Amendment) Bill, 2011 was brought from the House of Representatives by the Minister of Public Utilities who moved that the next stage of the Bill be taken at a sitting of the Senate to be held on Tuesday April 17, 2012. This was approved by the Senate.

Ten Papers were laid. See the Order Paper.

The Senate continued debate on the Trinidad and Tobago Postal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2012. Opposition Sen. Terrence Deyalsingh rose to initiate the today’s debate followed contributions by Independent Sen. Helen Drayton, Government Sen. the Hon. Devant Maharaj, Opposition Sen. Shamfa Cudjoe, Independent Sen. Dr. James Armstrong, Sen. Terance Baynes, Opposition Sen. Fitzgerald Hinds, Independent Sen. Dr. Rolph Balgobin, Government Sen. the Hon. Fazal Karim, Opposition Sen. Pennelope Beckles and Independent Senator Albert Sydney. The Leader of Government Business in the Senate rose to conclude the debate. The Bill was considered in Committee and passed with amendment. The Bill was then read a third time and passed.

The Senate adjourned to Tuesday April 17, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. where the Senate intends to debate the following Bills: The Regional Health Authorities (Amendment) Bill, 2011, The Land Adjudication (Amendment) Bill, 2012 and The Registration of Titles to Land (Amendment) Bill, 2012. The sitting ended at 8:25 p.m.