Sittings
27th Sitting of the Senate
1st Session - 13th Republican Parliament
The President of the Senate granted leave of absence to Sen. Foster Cummings, Sen. Candice Jones-Simmons and Sen. Sophia Chote, SC. Mr. Sanjiv Budhu, Dr. Deborah Mc Fee and Mr. Wesley Gibbings were appointed to temporarily replace Senators Cummings, Jones-Simmons and Chote, SC respectively.
Tributes were extended in the Senate to former Independent Senator Stephen Creese, who passed away on March 27, 2026. The Senate then observed a minute of silence.
One paper was laid. See the Order Paper.
There are six questions on notice listed on the Order Paper. One question was deferred until the return of the member who posed the question.
The Minister of Justice and Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General, Hon. Devesh Maharaj, MP, moved the second reading of the Probation of Offenders (Amendment) Bill, 2026. Debate then began on the bill, with seven members making contributions before the Minister of Justice rose to conclude the debate. The Bill was then read a second time and referred to a Committee of the Whole Senate to be considered clause by clause. The Bill was approved with amendments. The Bill was then read a third time and passed. At third reading, a division was taken, the result of which was 29 for, none against and no abstentions.
Sen. Dr. Amery Browne moved as a matter on the adjournment, “The need for the Government to update the Parliament on Trinidad and Tobago’s campaign for a non-Permanent Seat on the United Nations Security Council.” The Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs responded.
Before adjourning, the Senate extended greetings to the national community to commemorate the occasion of Easter. The sitting ended at 9:22 p.m.