Updated: Cabinet meeting on ministerial pay ends - Refund among possibilities discussed

Adds video comments by Jean-Pierre Farrugia - A Cabinet meeting lasting for more than two hours ended at 11.45 a.m. today, with the prime minister and ministers tight-lipped on what had been decided.

The meeting discussed a climb-down in the controversial issue of raises given to ministers.

The meeting came in the wake of a meeting held yesterday between the Prime Minister and Nationalist MP Jean-Pierre Farrugia, who had warned he would back an opposition motion to stop the increases unless changes were made.

Ministers after the meeting refused to comment, while Dr Gonzi only said that the issue had been discussed.

Dr Gonzi is due to meet the PN parliamentary group at PN headquarters at noon.

According to reports which could not be officially confirmed, an idea under discussion is that ministers will continue to receive the parliamentary honoraria along with their ministerial salary, but they will be asked to refund the difference given to them when the honoraria was raised to 70% of civil service pay scale one, from the previous 50%. (The honoraria was raised to €26,000 from €19,000)

The ministers had started to receive the honoraria at €26,000 in 2008 but backbenchers have still to get theirs.

The raise is now expected to apply to all MPs as from last month.

It is understood that the refund by the ministers, if such a decision is taken, will amount to €14,000 each.

In comments this morning, Jean Pierre Farrugia said public opinion was clear on this issue and it made sense for the issue to be resolved.

Dr Farrugia said he did not believe he was the least popular MP among his colleagues.

Asked if MPs deserved the raise, he said there was a time for everything.