Parliament lauds Karl Chircop's honesty, integrity, commitment and loyalty

Parliament yesterday paid tribute to Karl Chircop and adjourned after speeches lauding his good qualities as a member of the medical profession, a politician and above all a family man who, according to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, had "values ingrained in him".

Flowers and a picture were placed on the seat usually occupied by Dr Chircop as Mr Speaker Louis Galea, Dr Gonzi and Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat led the tributes.

Dr Gonzi said that the whole of Malta had been shocked when Dr Chircop was taken ill a few weeks ago and had shown solidarity with his family, united in hope and prayers for a recovery.

Now, the whole country was in a state of mourning. Malta had lost a person who, despite his young age, had given a valid contribution.

Dr Gonzi recalled that when he was Social Policy Minister in 1998, Dr Chircop was shadow minister. During their debates, Dr Chircop was elegant in his delivery of an argument despite being tough.

He was always well prepared and believed in what he said. He was dedicated to his values and used them for the service of his country.

He viewed politics as an instrument to serve the people.

Dr Gonzi said that Dr Chircop respected his opponents. His arguments were always put forward in a sensitive manner, not least as he was a family doctor and his contact with people permitted him to enter into their "oases".

Concluding, Dr Gonzi said the late MP of 12 years "was a substantial and substantive contributor to the country". Expressing his condolences to the family on behalf of the government, the Prime Minister hoped that they would draw comfort from this as they mourned a dear husband and father.

Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat said Dr Chircop's passing away was a loss for the country, for the Labour Party and for his colleagues and him personally.

The country had lost a worthy representative of the people, who like many members of the House had put the interests of the citizen and the country above all else but had managed to attract admiration and trust. The MLP had lost a worker who reflected its ideals.

With great determination he had been raised in a working family, courageously worked for and achieved his ideals without ever forgetting his origins. He had striven so that everybody would have the right opportunities to move on in life.

His colleagues had lost a friend with whom they had laughed and cried, even disagreed, but in whom they had always found comfort. He had been a friend who considered it his duty to tell one what he felt, had never been a yesman, and had always been a true friend to all who had sought him out. The country and society had lost a person who could have given an enormous contribution to Malta's political and social development.

In the last weeks before he fell ill Karl Chircop had been enormously enthusiastic for the housing sector, which he had been assigned to shadow.

Dr Muscat said he personally had learned two lessons from Dr Chircop which most politicians would do well to keep in mind.

First, he had always found time for his family, and his four children would certainly remember him as a father who had been always present in their upbringing. Second, he was sure Dr Chircop would have wanted his organs to be donated, so that he could be of service to the very end, beyond his own life. Knowing this, his wife Adriana had insisted on this.

Dr Muscat said this was an example that should spur the House to give a new impetus to the culture of organ donation as a source of new hope proffered by families who themselves had lost all hope for their own loved ones.

He said it would be amiss if he were not also to mention Dr Chircop's mother Marion, who had first lost her husband and then her son in practically the same circumstances. While Karl had been in hospital in Malta she had taken turns to stay at his bedside, holding his hand and practically giving him a running commentary of what was going on around him, especially at times when he had shown some reflexes.

Dr Muscat specifically thanked Parliamentary Secretary for Health Joseph Cassar, who had always been there for the Chircop family and had done all that was possible in the circumstances. On behalf of the opposition and on his own behalf he expressed condolences to Mrs Chircop and her four children, as well as other members of the family.

Like Dr Gonzi's speech, Dr Muscat's was approved with the unanimous applause of members of the House.

Mr Speaker Louis Galea referred to the many tributes paid to Karl Chircop by individuals and organisations, saying they were genuine and well deserved. As an MP, Dr Chircop had always been well prepared, grasping arguments and working effectively to improve legislation. Like Dr Gonzi, Dr Galea was shadowed by Dr Chircop when he was a minister during the last legislature.

The Speaker said Dr Chircop had chosen the vocation of a politician and practised it with success. He was an example of honesty, integrity, commitment and loyalty which should be mirrored by everyone and passed on to future generations.

The House then observed a minute's silence and adjourned as a mark of respect.