Leave of absence was granted to temporary senators, Sen. Dr. Marlene Attzs and Sen. Courtney Mc Nish, who are out of the country. Temporary Senators Zola Phillips and John Heath, SC, were appointed temporary senators in their place.

Sen. the Hon. Wade Mark [President of the Senate]

Temporary Senators, Ms. Zola Phillips and Mr. John Heath, SC, took the oath of allegiance.

Sen. Zola Phillips [Independent Senator (Temporary) ]

Sen. John Heath [Independent Senator (Temporary)]

The Children’s Life Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was read for the first time in the Senate in the name of the Minister of Health. The Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services, Sen. Dr. Natalie Chaitan-Maharaj, moved that the next stage of the bill be taken later in the proceedings. The motion was approved.

The Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority (Repeal) Bill, 2025 was read for the first time in the Senate. The Minister of Finance, Hon. Davendranath Tancoo, MP, moved that the next stage of the bill be taken later in the proceedings. The motion was approved.

Sen. Dr. Natalie Chaitan-Maharaj [Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services]

Hon. Davendranath Tancoo, MP [Minister of Finance and Minister in the Ministry of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development]

69 papers were laid. See the Order Paper and Supplemental Order Paper.

Sen. the Hon. Darrell Allahar [Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister]

Sen. the Hon. John Jeremie SC [Attorney General]

Sen. Kenya Charles [Vice-President of the Senate]

Sen. the Hon. Dominic Smith [Minister of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence]

Sen. the Hon. Prof. Prakash Persad [Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training]

The Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services, Sen. Dr. Natalie Chaitan-Maharaj, making her maiden contribution, moved the second reading of the Children’s Life Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Sen. Dr. Amery Browne was first to enter the debate, followed by Sen. Dr. Desirée Murray (maiden contribution), the Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development (Sen. Dr. Kennedy Swaratsingh) and Sen. Anthony Vieira, SC. 12 Senators made contributions before the Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services rose to wind up. The bill was committed 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.

Sen. Dr. Natalie Chaitan-Maharaj [Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services]

Sen. Dr. Amery Browne [Opposition Senator]

Sen. Dr. Desirée Murray [Independent Senator]

Sen. the Hon. Dr. Kennedy Swaratsingh [Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development and Minister in the Ministry of Finance]

Sen. Anthony Vieira SC [Independent Senator]

Sen. Janelle John-Bates [Opposition Senator]

Sen. Kenya Charles [Vice-President of the Senate]

Sen. Francis Lewis [Independent Senator]

Sen. Deoroop Teemal [Independent Senator]

Sen. Faris Al-Rawi SC [Opposition Senator]

Sen. the Hon. Anil Roberts [Minister in the Ministry of Housing]

Sen. John Heath [Independent Senator (Temporary)]

Sen. Foster Cummings [Opposition Senator]

The Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development and Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Sen. the Hon. Dr. Kennedy Swaratsingh, moved the second reading of the Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority (Repeal) Bill, 2025.

Sen. the Hon. Dr. Kennedy Swaratsingh [Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development and Minister in the Ministry of Finance]

The Sitting concluded at 9:32 p.m.