Debono advocates more ‘important major reforms’

Nationalist MP Franco Debono has advocated further reforms in the justice and home affairs sectors, underlining that his 24-point private member’s motion aimed to put such “important major reforms” high not only on the parliamentary but also on the national agenda.

He said that his aim behind the motion, seconded by Nationalist MP Joseph Falzon, was to continue to be vigilant on democracy and rights. The proposals he presented were positive and should not in any way be interpreted as a sign of no confidence in anyone.

He did not doubt that the Opposition would present other proposals complimenting the ones he was suggesting.

He invited the House Social Affairs Committee to make a detailed analysis of the prevalent situation in the Family Court.

It would have been desirable, he reiterated, to have discussed his motion before the ministries of Justice and Home Affairs had been separated. He said that the Justice Minister was involving him on various matters related to justice on a regular basis.

Dr Debono said his aim had always been to bring this reform forward so that things would be updated. He was satisfied that his motion acted as a catalyst.

A review was needed on the method of appointment of the members of the Bench. At present, appointments depended solely on the justice minister. Was this wise in a situation where there should be separation between the judiciary and the executive?

Most European countries had since introduced new systems and he felt Malta should explore the Scottish model where there was a Judicial Appointments Committee which gave the names of prospective judges and carried out a form of hearing of the prospective judges, although the Executive eventually made the appointment.

During his speech on Tuesday, Dr Debono said another review was needed of the impeachment procedure. Was the current situation good enough?

Coupled to that, was the Commission for the Administration of Justice effective enough for the enforcement of discipline, particularly in cases which were not serious enough to merit impeachment? Should the commission continue to be presided by the President? He did not think so.

The time had also come, Dr Debono said, to review the procedures of the Family Court, particularly compulsory mediation.

In his view, mediation work should be done by the judges, backed by a proper system.

Judges had everything that was necessary, including knowledge of the law and wisdom.

There was also need to continue to reform the police force and he suggested creating a task force for a stock-taking of the force followed by a proper strategy for growth, anticipating rather than reacting to events and requirements.

Such growth and development was also needed for the forensic laboratory.

With some work, such as DNA profiling, having been subcontracted to a private company, he asked if there was any law that regulated the possession of sensitive personal information by such a company.

He was also of the view that scene-of-crime officers should be independent of the police.

The rest of Dr Debono’s speech, together with the contribution of the opposition spokesman on justice José Herrera, will be carried later.

Speaker’s wake-up call to the media

Mr Speaker Michael Frendo has urged the media to exercise its duty in the vicinity of the House of Representatives without hindering MPs from entering the building.

MPs enjoyed this privilege on their way to Parliament and had to be respected. He referred to a ruling he had given in this regard last October.

Dr Frendo was acceding to a request by government whip David Agius who complained that last Monday, MPs were confronted with microphones and cameras without their permission in the vicinity of Parliament.

He referred to Dr Frendo’s ruling that MPs could not be hindered on their way to Parliament while members of the press had the freedom to do their duty.