Ivan Camilleri, Brussels
Government MPs miss Brussels energy meeting
Government MPs were absent from a two-day meeting in Brussels discussing the future energy policy of the EU, with Malta only represented by Labour MP Joe Mizzi.
The joint parliamentary meeting with MEPs, which started yesterday, a public holiday in Malta, is debating the EU's future direction, particularly the need to create an integrated energy network across the 27 member states and increasing the use of renewable energy.
Despite being a highly charged subject in Malta, none of the government MPs was able to make it to Brussels for the meeting, which is normally attended by backbenchers.
Asked by The Times why no one from the government backbench was present, whip David Agius said "due to various circumstances no MP from the government's side could attend this meeting". He gave no more details.
Incidentally, during yesterday's official speech on the occasion of Sette Giugno, Speaker Michael Frendo repeated his predecessor's appeal for Parliament to be adequately prepared to face the additional challenges created for member states' parliaments by the new EU Lisbon Treaty.
Admitting that Malta's House of Representatives was still not prepared to face these challenges, Dr Frendo said empowering Parliament to be able to participate better in the EU sphere "has become very urgent".
Malta is the only member state which has so far failed to appoint a permanent representative in Brussels to represent the interests of its House. All other member states have a fully-fledged representative office up and running in the EP's building in Brussels with one or more officials.
Though office facilities have been made available to the island for the past years, former speaker Louis Galea has cited lack of funds as the main reason.
Spain's parliament, which until last year was also absent from the EP building, opened a representative office earlier this year, leaving Malta the only absent member state.
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E. Azzopardi
Jun 9th 2010, 00:18
And they tell us "Energy" is one of our priorities. And it should be seeing how we are paying through our noses for it!!.
But then talk comes cheap. UNACCEPTABLE !!!!
L.Farrugia
Jun 8th 2010, 14:19
@Joseph Grech it-tort mhux tal-amministrazzjoni prezenti izda tal-opposizzjoni li ma tridx tikkopera mal-Gvern dwar il-pairing. J. Muscat and Co hasbu li jekk ma ghatux il-pairing iwaqqaw il-Gvern, fil-fatt minflok ghamlu dan qed jitfaw lil Malta lura.
Joe E Galea
Jun 9th 2010, 07:47
@L Farrugia: Ara veru ma tafx x'int tghid!! No.1 There was no important vote to be taken in Paliament. No.2 Since Joe Mizzi was absent the Government could send someone and still remain in majority. No. 3 Please stop denying the obvious with your partisan crap.
It seems that the PN MP's preferred to take a holiday rather than do their job. It seems that in this article all the blue blinkered commentators have gone on holiday especially the J Martinelli type. If it was the other way round, you could have seen them in here demonising the PL and glorifying their PN.
Joe Grima
Jun 8th 2010, 13:22
Asked by The Times why no one from the government backbench was present, whip David Agius said "due to various circumstances no MP from the government's side could attend this meeting". He gave no more details
It would have been more interesting had the interviewer followed up with the obvious supplementary : What various circumstances? , This trip fell during a long weekend. I have a suspicion that MPs would have preferred to stay with their families during this weekend than travel to boring Brusels for one more boring EU meeting. That may be understandable but not excusable for MPs who have a job to do. Joe Mizzi also has a family but he knew where his priorities as a sittiing MP should place him on this occasion.
Joseph Grech
Jun 8th 2010, 11:37
@ The Hon. Prime Minister and P.N. Whip David Agius
'Asked by The Times why no one from the government backbench was present, whip David Agius said "due to various circumstances no MP from the government's side could attend this meeting". He gave no more details.''
Is this the way the present administration is working for the good of Malta and the Maltese? SHAME!
And Dr. Michael Frendo, the new Parliamentary Speaker expects people to respect parliament!
We are living in times when real democracy is being eroded fast. No wonder N.G.O.s are protesting very forcefully. The only thing which interest this administration is its clinging to power no matter what. Inefficient and irresponsible Ministers (Ms. Dolores Cristina) stay on despite the fact that they have let people down very, very seriously. We used to think the ''hnizrijiet'' (abuses) of the past were gone never to return.
Under this P.M. abuses and corruption have seen the light of day once again....Shame!