The Vice President granted leave of absence to Sen. the Hon. Timothy Hamel-Smith and Senator Corinne Baptiste-McKnight. Mr. Jamal Mohammed and Dr. Lennox Bernard were appointed to temporarily replace Sen. Hamel-Smith and Sen. Baptiste-McKnight respectively during their absence.

One Paper was laid. See Order Paper for details.

Three Questions qualified for Oral Answer, of which all were deferred to the next Sitting of the Senate. See Order Paper for details.

The Senate resumed debate on the Children Bill, 2012. Opposition Sen. Terrence Deyalsingh rose to provide the initial contribution to today’s debate followed by contributions by Independent Sen. Dr. Rolph Balgobin, Government Sen. the Hon. Brig. John Sandy, Opposition Sen. Pennelope Beckles, Government Sen. the Hon. Kevin Ramnarine, Opposition Sen. Shamfa Cudjoe, Independent Sen. Dr. James Armstrong, Independent Sen. Prof. Harold Ramkissoon, Government Sen. the Hon. Embau Moheni, Opposition Sen. Sherrie Ali, Independent Sen. Basharat Ali, Dr. Victor Wheeler, Albert Sydney and Elton Prescott, SC. Debate was then suspended.

The Senate adjourned to Tuesday May 22, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. at which time the Senate intends to resume debate on a Private Motion moved by Sen. Corinne Baptiste-McKnight which asks 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 10:00 p.m.