Speaker again calls for revision of Standing Orders

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Anton Tabone, yesterday again appealed to MPs to revise and strengthen the House Standing Orders, the set of rules and regulations that govern parliamentary procedure.

Speaking during the Sette Giugno ceremony in St George's Square, Valletta, Mr Tabone said a great leap forward in quality was needed.

"For example, what is preventing the Standing Orders of the House from being revised and strengthened?

"Why have we remained passive to a Management Efficiency Unit report on how Parliament can have more efficient and professional structures to acquire its autonomy?

"Why all this fear of change that is required and which has to be made?"

Mr Tabone said his was a genuine appeal from someone who had been an MP for the past 41 years.

Earlier, he said it was the duty of MPs to give a good example on national values.

Now that Malta was a member of the European Union, Parliament had a more important role than ever before. Fortunately, unanimity was obtained by Parliament in a majority of cases and this showed certain maturity.

Laws approved nowadays were more complex and influential and, as such, required more study and attention. Usually, both political groups represented in Parliament and the individual MPs understood this and, bar a few exceptions, there existed a spirit of cooperation. This helped parliamentary work to be quicker and more useful, easing the burden on Parliament's administrator.

However, Mr Tabone said, he would continue to appeal for the culture of mutual respect between members and towards the institution to be strengthened and for more commitment by MPs with regard to attending parliamentary sittings and committee meetings.

He said one should look at the future to see what was needed to strengthen Parliament and, in this way, reinforce the country's democratic environment. He referred to his now annual appeals for Parliament to be given a more attractive and professional look suitable to modern times.

"Let's together change what needs to be changed for Parliament, and particularly its members, to be able to give a better service in Malta and abroad through their participation in international fora." The ceremony was held at the foot of the Sette Giugno monument, which recalls the four Maltese nationals, Karmnu Abela, Guzeppi Bajada, Wenzu Dyer and Manwel Attard, who were shot dead by British troops in the 1919 bread riots.

Wreaths were laid by Mr Tabone, by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Opposition Leader Alfred Sant, Valletta mayor Paul Borg Olivier, representatives of the Nationalist and Labour parties and by family members of Karmnu Abela, among others.

The ceremony was preceded by a march along Republic Street by a police contingent and band.