The Vice-President announced that the President of the Senate was Acting as President of the Republic. The Vice-President also granted leave of absence to Senator Elton Prescott SC, Senator Victor Wheeler and Senator Helen Drayton. Mr. Rabindra Moonan, Prof. Karl Theodore and Dr. Lennox Bernard were appointed to temporarily replace the President of the Senate, Senator Wheeler and Sen. Prescott respectively.

The Vice-President announced the appointment of members to the four Sessional Select Committees of the Senate.

Tributes were paid in the Senate to former Independent Senator Prof. Julian Kenny, who passed away on August 9, 2011.

32 Papers were laid. See the Order Paper.

The Vice-President announced the appointment of several Senators to Committees as follows: Public Accounts Committee: Mr. Bhoendradatt Tearie replacing Mr. Subhas Panday, Joint Select Committee – Municipal Corporations and Service Commissions: Mr. Devant Maharaj replacing Mrs. Therese Baptiste-Cornelis, Joint Select Committee – Group 1: Mrs. Verna St. Rose-Greaves for Mrs. Rudrawatee Nan Gosine-Ramgoolam, Joint Select Committee – Group 2: Mr. Bhoendradatt Tewarie for Mrs. Mary King, Joint Select Committee -Accommodation: Mr. Bhoendradatt Tewarie and Mr. Devant Maharaj replacing Mrs. Mary King and Mrs. Rudrawatee Nan Gosine-Ramgoolam respectively.

The Minister of Finance obtained leave to move two related Motions pertaining to increases in borrowing. Sen. Dr. Lester Henry was the first to enter the debate, followed by Sen. Subhas Ramkhelawan and the Minister of Food Production, Land and Marine Resources. 16 Senators made contributions before the Minister of Finance rose to conclude. Both Motions were approved.

The Minister of Finance then moved a third Motion asking the Senate to approve an increase in borrowing under the External Loans Act. Sen. Dr. Lester Henry was first to enter the debate, followed by Sen. Subhas Ramkhelawan and Sen. David Abdulah. Eight Senators made contributions before the Minister of Finance rose to conclude. The Motion was approved.

At the next sitting the House will consider two bills, which are currently before the House of Representatives. Before adjourning, greetings were extended to the nation on the occasion of Independence. Also greetings were extended to the Muslim community on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, which was celebrated on the same day.