Sittings
38th Sitting of the Senate
3rd Session - 11th Republican Parliament
The Vice-President of the Senate informed that Sen. the Hon. Christine Kangaloo was acting as President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Leave was granted to Sen. Jennifer Raffoul and Sen. Taurel Shrikissoon. Mr. Garvin Simonette, Mr. Elton Prescott, SC and Mr. Ronald Duke were appointed temporary Senators in their absence.
Temporary Senators Simonette, Prescott and Duke took the oath of allegiance.
Forty-one papers were laid. See Order Paper for details.
One report was presented.
Five urgent questions were posed before the time for urgent questions expired.
Ten questions qualified for oral answer. Questions #169, #187 and #196 were deferred for two weeks.
Sen Anita Haynes made a request for leave to move the adjournment of the House on a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the failure of the Government to take necessary steps to address the continued increase in homicides and serious crimes. The Vice-President was not satisfied that this matter qualified under this Standing Order.
Sen. Gerald Ramdeen also sought leave to move the adjournment of the House on a matter regarding the decision made by the Government to close the PETROTRIN refinery without providing a plan on how this decision will be implemented and how the Government intends to counter the adverse consequences of this decision. The Vice-President was satisfied that this matter qualified under Standing Order 16 and ruled that this matter be stood down to 6:00 p.m.
The Leader of Government Business moved a motion to grant an extension to September 26, 2018 to the JSC appointed to consider and report on the Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority Bill, 2018 in order for the Committee to complete its work and submit a final report. The motion was carried.
The Attorney General moved the second reading of the Payments into Court Bill, 2018. Debate began on the Bill. Following the debate, the Bill was taken to Committee for consideration clause by clause. The Bill was read a third time and passed, with amendments.
At 6:00 p.m., Sen. Gerald Ramdeen raised a matter (approved earlier) regarding the decision made by the Government to close the PETROTRIN refinery without providing a plan on how this decision will be implemented and how the Government intends to counter the adverse consequences of this decision. Debate began on the matter.