Leave of Absence was granted to Sen. Daniel Solomon who is out of the country. Mr. Wayne Anthony Munro was appointed on a temporary basis to replace Sen. Solomon in his absence.

Senators were informed that at the 10th Sitting of the House of Representatives on November 27th 2015, Dr. Bhoendradatt Tewarie was appointed to serve on the Joint Select Committee to consider and report on the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property (Amendment) Bill 2015 and Mr. Prakash Ramadhar, MP was appointed to serve on the Joint Select Committee to consider and report on the Whistleblower Protection Bill 2015.

Mr. Gerald Hadeed was appointed to replace former Senator, Mr. Vasant Bharath.

Six Papers were laid in the names of the Vice-President of the Senate, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of National Security and the Minister of Social Development and Family Services. See the Order Paper for details.

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

Leader of Government Business, Hon. Franklin Khan, moved a motion that Sen. Wade Mark replace Sen. Rodger Samuel on the Joint Select Committee on Public Administration and Appropriations and that Sen. Rodger Samuel replace Sen. Wade Mark on the Public Accounts Committee. This motion was approved.

The Minister of Finance moved a Motion asking the Senate to increase the loan ceiling under the Development Loans Act. In so doing he moved that two related Motions (on the Guarantee of Loans Act and External Loans Act) be considered simultaneously. Sen. Wade Mark dissented, and the Senate instead considered two Motions together and the third separately. Motions to increase the loan ceiling under the Development Loan Act and to increase the debt limit under the Guarantee of Loans Act were agreed upon.

The Minister of Finance moved a Motion asking the Senate to increase the loan ceiling under the External Loans Act. The motion to increase the loan ceiling under the External Loans Act was agreed upon.

Hon. Franklin Khan (on behalf of the Government Bench), Sen. Wade Mark (on behalf of the Opposition Bench) and Sen. Melissa Ramkissoon (on behalf of the Independent Bench) extended Season Greetings and New Year Wishes to Members and Staff of the Senate and to the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago at this last sitting for 2015. The President of the Senate also joined in extending Christmas greetings. The 7th Sitting ended at 12:36 a.m. on Wednesday 9th December 2015. The Senate was adjourned to a date to be fixed.