Leave of absence was granted to Sen. Dr. Desirée Murray, who is out of the country. Mr. Wesley Gibbings was appointed temporary independent senator in her place.

Sen. the Hon. Wade Mark [President of the Senate]

The seat of Sen. Deoroop Teemal seat was declared vacant. Sen. Sophia Chote, SC, was appointed by the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, to replace Mr. Teemal.

Sen. the Hon. Wade Mark [President of the Senate]

Independent senator, Sen. Sophia Chote, SC, and temporary independent senator, Sen. Wesley Gibbings, took the oath of allegiance.

Sen. Sophia Chote SC [Independent Senator]

Sen. Wesley Gibbings [Independent Senator (Temporary)]

The Senate paid tribute to former independent senator, Mr. Deoroop Teemal, who passed away on August 3, 2025. Mr. Teemal served as an independent senator during the 11th, 12th and 13th Republican Parliaments. A minute of silence was observed.

The Senate proceeded to pay tribute to Dr. Lenny Saith, who passed away on August 25, 2025. Dr. Saith served in various ministerial portfolios during the 3rd, 4th, 7th, 8th and 9th Republican Parliaments. A minute of silence was observed.

Sen. the Hon. Darrell Allahar [Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister]

Sen. Dr. Amery Browne [Opposition Senator]

Sen. Francis Lewis [Independent Senator]

Sen. the Hon. Wade Mark [President of the Senate]

Sen. Faris Al-Rawi SC [Opposition Senator]

Sen. Anthony Vieira SC [Independent Senator]

The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was brought from the House of Representatives. The Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs moved that the next stage of the bill be taken later in the proceedings. The motion was approved.

Twelve papers were laid. See Order Paper for details.

Sen. the Hon. Dr. Kennedy Swaratsingh [Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development and Minister in the Ministry of Finance]

Sen. the Hon. Darrell Allahar [Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister]

Eleven questions qualified for oral answer. All questions were deferred for two weeks.

The Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, Sen. David Nakhid moved the second reading of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2025 in the Senate. Opposition Senator, Sen. Faris Al-Rawi, was first to enter the debate, followed by Independent Senator Dr. Marlene Attzs. Fifteen additional senators contributed to the debate before the wind up by the Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs. The bill was committed to a Committee of the Whole Senate for consideration clause by clause. No amendments were made. With 16 votes for, 13 votes against and 1 abstention, the bill was read a third time and passed.

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

Sen. Faris Al-Rawi SC [Opposition Senator]

Sen. Dr. Marlene Attzs [Independent Senator]

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

Sen. Foster Cummings [Opposition Senator]

Sen. Anthony Vieira SC [Independent Senator]

Sen. Kenya Charles [Vice-President of the Senate]

Sen. Brian Baig [Government Senator]

Sen. Vishnu Dhanpaul [Opposition Senator]

Sen. Michael Simon Victor de la Bastide SC [Independent Senator]

Sen. the Hon. Phillip Alexander [Minister in the Ministry of Housing]

Sen. Melanie Roberts-Radgman [Opposition Senator]

Sen. Francis Lewis [Independent Senator]

Sen. the Hon. Eli Zakour [Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation]

Sen. Dr. Amery Browne [Opposition Senator]

Sen. Wesley Gibbings [Independent Senator (Temporary)]

Sen. Sophia Chote SC [Independent Senator]

Sen. the Hon. John Jeremie SC [Attorney General]

The Sitting concluded at 12:18 a.m. on Thursday 18 September, 2025.