Leave of absence was granted to Sen. Amrita Deonarine from today’s Sitting of the Senate.

The Senate paid tribute to former Senator Dr. Lester Henry, who passed on Tuesday October 25, 2022. A minute of silence was observed.

The President of the Senate, Sen. the Hon. Christine Kangaloo, informed of correspondence received from the Speaker of the House on the establishment of a Joint Select Committee to consider the Representation of the People (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2020, adopt the work of the Committee from the Second Session and present a report by 31st March, 2023.

The President of the Senate made appointments to Sessional Select Committees of the Senate.

The Finance Bill, 2022 was brought from the House of Representatives in the name of the Minister of Finance. Hon. Colm Imbert, MP, moved that the next stage of the bill be taken later in the proceedings. The motion was approved.

Thirty-two papers were laid. See Order Paper for details.

One report was presented. See Order Paper for details.

Five questions qualified for oral answer. All questions were answered.

The Leader of Government Business, Sen. the Hon. Dr. Amery Browne, moved motions for the establishment of Joint Select Committees on The Fisheries Management (No. 2) Bill, 2020 and The Shipping Bill, 2020, which will adopt the work of these Committees in the Second Session and present a report by March 31, 2023. He then moved a motion for the establishment of a Special Select Committee on a Code of Ethical Conduct and Behaviour for Senators and for the concurrence of the Senate on the establishment of a Joint Select Committee to consider the Representation of the People (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2020. Senators were appointed to each Committee. All motions were approved.

The Minister of Finance, Hon. Colm Imbert, MP moved the second reading of the Finance Bill, 2022. Sen. Mark and Sen. Deyalsingh made contributions to the debate before the wind up by the Minister of Finance. The bill was not committed to a Committee of the Whole Senate. The bill was read a third time and passed.

Sen. Wade Mark raised a matter on the adjournment regarding the CLICO Investment Fund. The Minister of Finance, Hon. Colm Imbert, MP, responded.

Sen. Mark raised a second matter regarding the failure of the Government to effectively address the rise in serious crime in Trinidad and Tobago. The Minister of National Security, Hon. Fitzgerald Hinds, MP, responded.

The Sitting concluded at 2:00 p.m.