Budget funds approved

The House of Representatives yesterday ended 44 hours of debate on the financial estimates of the nine ministries by passing through all stages the Appropriations Bill, authorising the expenditure of €1,901,907,362 from the Consolidated Fund. The amounts respresents the whole amount approved by the Committee of Supply.

All votes were approved after a division called by the opposition.

Finance Minister Tonio Fenech read the Budget speech on November 9, followed by the Leader of the Opposition a week later. The Prime Minister replied to Dr Muscat's address yesterday week. The House yesterday also approved through all stages the Supplementary Estimates for 2009, amounting to €190,672,000.