The President of the Senate granted leave of absence to Sen. Prof. Gerard Hutchinson and Sen. Jayanti Lutchmedial-Ramdial. Mr. Francis Lewis and Dr. Tim Gopeesingh were appointed to replace Senators Hutchinson and Lutchmedial-Ramdial.

The Miscellaneous Provisions (Global Forum) Bill, 2024, which was passed in the House of Representatives on September 13, 2024 was read a first time in the name of the Minister of Finance. The Minister moved that the next stage be taken later in the proceedings. The Senate agreed by a margin of 23 for, six against, no abstentions.

There are three Urgent Questions listed for oral answer. The questions have been appended to the Order Paper.

The Leader of the House moved that a Special Select Committee on the St. Dominic’s Children’s Home Incorporation Bill, 2023 be appointed to report by March 31st, 2025, that the Committee be allowed to adopt the work of the previous Commitee in the 4th Session, and that the following Members be appointed to the Committee: Mr Anthony Vieira (Chairman), Ms. Donna Cox, Mrs. Renuka Sagramsingh-Sooklal, Mrs. Laurel Lezama-Lee Sing and Mr. David Nakhid. The Senate agreed.

The Minister of Finance moved the second reading of the Miscellaneous Provisions (Global Forum) Bill, 2024. Sen. Wade Mark was first to enter the debate, followed by Sen. Sunity Maharaj, the Attorney General, Sen. Damian Lyder. The Minister of Finance then rose to wind up.  After second reading, the Bill was  referred to a Committee of the Whole Senate, where it was considered clause by clause and approved without amendment. The Bill was then read a third time and passed.

Before adjourning, the Senate extended greetings to national community on the occasion of Republic Day. The Sitting adjourned at 6:01 p.m.