Sittings
31st Sitting of the House of Representatives
1st Session - 13th Republican Parliament
Leave of absence was granted to Hon. Colin Neil Gosine, MP for Chaguanas West, from sittings of the House during the period May 19-24, 2026 and to Mr. Stuart Young, MP for Port of Spain North / St. Ann’s West from today’s Sitting.
Three Papers were laid. See the Order Paper.
The Deputy Speaker informed of correspondence received from the President of the Senate, regarding the adoption of the Special report of the JSC on National Security on the continuance of membership of a member. He informed that with the adoption of the report, Sen. John-Bates has now ceased to be a member of that Committee.
Two urgent questions were posed and answered. See Order Paper.
The Minister of the People, Social Development and Family Services, Hon. Vandana Mohit, MP, made a statement on the introduction of the new Standard Means Test.
The Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Sen. the Hon. Eli Zakour, made a statement on Caribbean Airlines’ comprehensive review of route performance, profitability, and strategic alignment.
The Victims’ Rights Bill, 2026, which was passed in the Senate on May 15, 2026, was read a first time in the name of the Minister of Justice. The Minister of Justice, Hon. Devesh Maharaj, MP, moved that the next stage of the bill be taken later in the proceedings. The motion was approved.
The Leader of the House, Hon. Barry Padarath, MP, moved that the Elections and Boundaries Commission (Local Government and Tobago House of Assembly)(Amendment) Bill, 2026 be restored in the second session of the 13th Republican Parliament to resume proceedings.
Debate resumed (from May 1, 2026) on a Private Motion by the Member for Arouca/Lopinot, asking the Government to establish and implement an adequate, evidence-based national road safety system. Five members contributed to the debate before the wind up by Mr. Marvin Gonzales, MP. The motion was not approved.
The Member for Arouca/Lopinot, Mr. Marvin Gonzales, MP, raised a privilege motion against the Speaker of the House, Hon. Jagdeo Singh, MP, in his capacity as Chairman of the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee.
The Deputy Speaker, Dr. Aiyna Ali, MP, ruled that no prima facie was established in the matter against Hon. Jagdeo Singh, MP.
The Minister of Justice, Hon. Devesh Maharaj, MP, moved the second reading of the Victims’ Rights Bill, 2026. Mr. Keith Scotland, MP was the sole contributor to the debate. The bill was committed to the Committee of the Whole for consideration clause by clause. No amendments were made. With 26 votes for, no votes against and no abstentions, the bill was read a third time and passed.
The House considered the senate amendments to the Criminal Records (Rehabilitation of Offenders) Bill, 2026. With 26 votes for, no votes against and no abstentions, the amendments were approved.
The House brought greetings to the national community on the observances of Indian Arrival Day and Corpus Christi.
The Sitting concluded at 7:31 p.m.