Sittings
4th Sitting of the Senate
2nd Session - 13th Republican Parliament
The following temporary appointments were made in the Senate: Ms. Zola Phillips in lieu of Sen. Dr. Desiree Murray, Mr. Wesley Gibbings in lieu of Sen. Candice Jones-Simmons, Mr. Sanjiv Boodhu in lieu of Sen. Vishnu Dhanpaul, Mr. Daniel Rasheed in lieu of Sen. the Hon. Leroy Baptiste and Mr. Ashworth Jack in lieu of Sen. David Nakhid.
The President of the Senate announced that today was the anniversary of the September 11 attacks in the United States of America. The President of the Senate remembered those citizens of Trinidad and Tobago who passed away on that occasion 25 years ago. The Senate then observed a minute of silence in memory of those lives lost.
The President of the Senate acknowledged receipt of a letter by Sen. Alicia Lalite-Etienne indicating her successful defence of her doctoral dissertation at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine. The President congratulated the Senator on this significant achievement.
Fifty-four papers were laid. See Order Paper.
Three questions qualified for oral answer. See the Order Paper.
The Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was introduced in the name of the Attorney General. The Minister of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence moved that the next stage of the bill be taken later in the proceedings. The Senate agreed.
The Minister of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence, Sen. the Hon. Dominic Smith, moved the second reading of the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill, 2026. Debate then began on the bill, with seven Senators making contributions before the Minister of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence rose to wind up. The Bill was considered in Committee of the Whole and approved without amendment. The Bill was then read a third time and passed. A division was taken at third reading, the result of which was 29 for, one against, with no abstentions.
The Leader of Government Business moved a motion to consider the House of Representatives amendments to the Miscellaneous Provisions (Heritage Petroleum, Paria Fuel Trading and Guaracara Refining Vesting) (Amendment) Bill, 2026. Debate then began on the motion. With 17 votes for, 6 votes against and 7 abstentions, the motion was approved.
One urgent question was posed and answered. See Order Paper.
Independent Senator, Sen. Anthony Vieira, SC, raised a matter on the adjournment namely the fragility or resilience of the Trinidad and Tobago water supply, food supply and critical logistics systems. The Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development, Sen. the Hon. Kennedy Swaratsingh, responded.
The Sitting concluded at 8:30 p.m.