Leave of absence was granted to Sen. the Hon. Anil Roberts and Sen. the Hon. Dominic Smith, who are out of the country. Mr. Ashworth Jack and Mr. Daniel Rasheed were appointed temporary senators in their place.

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

Temporary Senators Jack and Rasheed took the oath of allegiance.

Sen. Ashworth Jack [Government Senator (Temporary)]

Sen. Daniel Rasheed [Government Senator (Temporary)]

The President of the Senate, Sen. the Hon. Wade Mark, announced appointments to Sessional Select Committees.

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

The Special Operations Bill, 2026 was brought from the House of Representatives in the name of the Attorney General, who moved that the next stage of the bill be taken on Wednesday 23 September, 2026. The motion was approved.

Two papers were laid. See the Order Paper.

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

Three Questions on Notice qualified for oral answer. Question #12 was deferred for two weeks.

Sen. Dr. Marlene Attzs [Independent Senator]

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

Sen. Dr. Natalie Chaitan-Maharaj [Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services]

Independent Senator, Sen. Dr. Marlene Attzs, moved a private motion calling upon the Government to prepare and table a National Workforce and Manpower Strategic Plan for Trinidad and Tobago. Debate began on the motion with three Senators making contributions before debate was suspended.

Sen. Dr. Marlene Attzs [Independent Senator]

Sen. Vishnu Dhanpaul [Opposition Senator]

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

Sen. Courtney Mc Nish [Independent Senator]

The sitting ended at 3:50 p.m.