The Vice President granted leave of absence to Sen. the Hon. Anand Ramlogan, SC, and Sen. the Hon. Kevin Ramnarine. Archbishop Barbara Gray-Burke and Mr. Kevin Bhagaloo were appointed to temporarily replace Sen. Ramlogan and Sen. Ramnarine respectively during their absence.

The Vice-President of the Senate rose to state that the following matter raised by the Leader of Government Business in the Senate has been referred to the Committee of Privileges for full consideration and report.

“An allegation of contempt of the Senate by Senator Fitzgerald Hinds in that he deliberately mischaracterized a newspaper report to reflect adversely on the conduct of the Prime Minister on March 27, 2012”.

Four Papers were laid. See Order Paper for details.

The Minister of Education moved the second reading of the The Regional Health Authorities (Amendment) Bill, 2011. Opposition Senator Faris Al-Rawi rose to initiate the debate with his contribution followed by contributions by Independent Sen. Dr. Victor Wheeler, Government Sen. David Abdulah, Opposition Sen. Terrence Deyalsingh, Independent Sen. Helen Drayton, Government Sen. Nicole Dyer-Griffith, Opposition Sen. Dr. Lester Henry and Independent Sen. Prof. Harold Ramkissoon. The debate was then suspended.

The Senate adjourns to Tuesday April 24, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. at which time the Senate intends to debate a Motion by Sen. Corinne Baptiste-McKnight which moves that the contributions of all who served in the offices of President and Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago be recognized. The sitting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.