Leave of absence was granted to Sen. Jayanti Lutchmedial, who is ill and Sen. Prof. Gerard Hutchinson, who is out of the country. Mr. Francis Lewis was appointed temporary senator in place of Sen. Prof. Hutchinson.

Sen. the Hon. Nigel de Freitas [President of the Senate]

Temporary Senator Lewis took the oath of allegiance.

Sen. Francis Lewis [Independent Senator]

Debate resumed on the Appropriation (Financial Year 2025) Bill, 2024. Ten Members made contributions before the Minister of Finance rose to wind up the debate. The Bill was then read a third time and passed.

Mr. Stuart Young SC, MP [Opposition Member]

Sen. the Hon. Anil Roberts [Minister in the Ministry of Housing]

Sen. the Hon. Allyson West [Minister of Public Administration]

Sen. the Hon. Dominic Smith [Minister of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence]

Sen. the Hon. Renuka Sagramsingh-Sooklal [Minister in the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs]

Sen. the Hon. Paula Gopee-Scoon [Minister of Trade and Industry]

Sen. David Nakhid [Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs]

Sen Laurence Hislop [Government Senator]

Sen. Francis Lewis [Independent Senator]

Sen. the Hon. Avinash Singh [Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries]

Mr. Colm Imbert, MP [Opposition Member]

Before adjourning, the Senate extended Divali greetings to the national community.

The Sitting concluded at 5:28 p.m.

Sen. the Hon. Richie Sookhai [Minister in the Ministry of Works and Transport]

Sen. the Hon. Anil Roberts [Minister in the Ministry of Housing]

Sen. Dr. Sharda Patasar [Independent Senator]

Sen. the Hon. Nigel de Freitas [President of the Senate]