Leave of Absence was granted to Sen. the Hon. Christine Kangaloo, President of the Senate and Sen. the Hon. Dennis Moses, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs as both senators are out of the country. Ms. Alisha Romano and Mr. Rohan Sinanan were appointed to temporarily replace Senators Kangaloo and Moses respectively during their absence.

Temporary Senators, Ms. Alisha Romano and Mr. Rohan Sinanan took their oaths of allegiance.

Eight (8) Papers were laid in the names of the Minister of Labour and Small Enterprise Development, Minister of Education, Minister of Finance, Minister of Works and Transport and Minister of Housing and Urban Development. See Order Paper for details.

Three Questions qualified for oral answer. All questions were answered. See the Order Paper.

A private motion was moved by Senator Wade Mark to ask Government to take stock of Agenda 2030, to commit to help implement this new framework through all acts of legislation and to request that the Government table a report on the implementation of the national strategy for the Sustainable Development Goals for a thorough review by Parliament. This motion was seconded by Sen. Wayne Sturge. The debate on this motion followed.

Senator Wade Mark raised as a matter on the adjournment of the Senate, the issue of the failure of the Minister of Finance to identify the range of goods and services currently zero rated and which would attract the 12.5 per cent VAT rate effective from 1st January 2016. The Minister of Finance responded.

Senator Wade Mark raised as a matter on the adjournment of the Senate, the issue of the worsening crime situation in Trinidad and Tobago. The Minister of National Security responded.

The 6th Sitting of the Senate ended at 6:40 p.m.