The President granted leave of absence to Sen. Annette Nicholson-Alfred and Sen. Helen Drayton. Dr. Rolph Balgobin and Mrs. Parvatee Anmolsingh-Mahabir were appointed to temporarily replace Senators Nicholson-Alfred and Drayton respectively. The President then announced the names of members who would serve on Sessional Select Committees of the Senate. He further announced that condolences to former Members of Parliament would be taken later in the proceedings.

The Finance Bill, 2009, which was passed in the House on Friday January 16, 2009 was brought from the House and read a first time in the Senate. The Minister in the Ministry of Finance moved that the next stage of the Bill be taken later in the proceedings. Leave was granted.

Two Papers were laid, one by the Minister in the Ministry of Finance and the other by the Minister of Energy and Energy Industries on behalf of the Minister of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education. See the Order Paper for details.

Three Questions qualify for written answer. See the Order Paper for details.

The Minister in the Ministry of Finance moved the Second Reading of the Finance Bill, 2009. Sen. Mark was first to enter the debate, followed by Sen. Prof. Ramesh Deosaran. A total of 11 Senators made contributions before the Minister concluded the debate. The Bill was read a third time and passed.

Before adjourning the Senate, The President announced the passing of two former Members of the Senate, Mr. Irwin Merritt and Dr. David Quamina. Tributes were paid to both Senators by Sen. the Hon. Conrad Enill, Sen. Wade Mark, Sen. Prof. Ramesh Deosaran and Sen. the Hon. Danny Montano. The Senate then stood for a moment of silence.

At its next sitting the Senate will debate the Finance (Supplementary Appropriation)(2008) Bill, 2009. The Senate adjourned at 9:24 p.m.