The President granted Leave of Absence to Sen. the Hon. Dr. Lenny Saith. Mr. Noel Gayle was appointed to temporarily replace Dr. Saith during his absence from Trinidad and Tobago. Mrs. Lyndira Oudit was appointed an Opposition Senator, while the seat of Senator Cindy Devika Sharma was declared vacant.

Sen. Prof. Ramesh Deosaran moved a Private Motion which asks the House to appoint a Joint Select Committee to establish a legislative framework to govern the financing of election campaigns. Sen. Laurel Lezama was first to enter the debate, followed by Sen. Wade Mark. Some four Senators made contributions before debate was suspended.

There were three matters raised on the Motion for the adjournment. First, Senator Wade Mark raised the matter of the status of missing persons in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The Minister of National Security responded.

Sen. Mark then raised the matter of the alleged reports of financial mismanagement and disregard of the financial regulations in the Ministry of Local Government. The Minister of Local Government responded.

The third matter raised by Sen. Mark was “Government’s abolition of Old Age Pension in favour of a Senior Citizens Grant.” The Minister of Social Development responded.

At its next sitting the Senate expects to consider the Central Bank (Amendment) Bill, 2009 and the Insurance (Amendment) Bill, 2009.