House to pay respects to Guido de Marco

Parliamentarians will pay their last respects to President Emeritus Guido de Marco tomorrow when the House meets again for the first time after the summer recess.

The sitting will be a tribute to Prof. de Marco who was an MP for 33 years before being appointed President in 1999. He died in August aged 79.

MPs are also expected to offer condolences to President George Abela and Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi who lost their fathers earlier this month.

The tribute will take place after question time and the laying of papers, with other business being put off to another sitting.

“It is customary for Parliament to adjourn in circumstances like these, rather than continue with its normal work. However, the House Business Committee, which sets out Parliament’s agenda, will still be meeting to determine when the pending legislation will be discussed,” Labour Whip Joe Mizzi said.

Even though the Budget looms on the horizon, it is unlikely a date will be set for its presentation in the next House Business Committee, according to Nationalist Whip David Agius.

“I believe it is still too early to set a date for the Budget since the consultation is ongoing. It would be premature,” Mr Agius said, insisting Parliament had other pending work to attend to.

Among that work is the continuation of the second reading of the Private Guards And Local Wardens Bill, amendments to the Ombudsman Bill and the Protection Of Children (Hague Convention) Bill, which is also in its second reading.

In the coming days, MPs will be meeting William Shija, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association general secretary who will be visiting the island.

“One of the issues we will discuss with the general secretary is illegal immigration, something I already raised in a speech at the Commonwealth general assembly in Kenya earlier this month,” Mr Agius said.