Parliament yesterday approved the third reading of the Enemalta (Transfer of Assets, Rights, Liabilities and Obligations) Bill by 36 votes to 28 after the Opposition called a division.

The Bill now only needs the President’s consent to become law.

Both Whips informed Deputy Speaker Ċensu Galea that Opposition deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami, who is indisposed, was paired with Labour MP Deborah Schembri. Labour MP Marlene Farrugia voted for the Bill. In the vote on second reading yesterday week, she was not present in the House and said she could not approve the proposed law because she had still not seen any deal and had no way of knowing what was involved.

Energy shadow minister George Pullicino said the Bill aimed to enable the partial privatisation and selling of parts of the corporation and, for the first time, the government would become a minority shareholder in the energy-generating industry.

Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi told Parliament the new energy company would be retaining dispatch rights over electricity generation and it would be the body to decide whether to operate the BWSC or Electrogas plants or the interconnector. Its decision would depend on costs.

The House unanimously approved in third reading the Children and Young Persons (Care Orders) (Amendment) Bill; the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill; the Continental Shelf Bill; the Territorial Waters and Contiguous Zone (Amendment) Bill and the Criminal Code (Amendment No. 5) Bill.

Before the vote, Opposition whip David Agius and the Deputy Speaker joined PL MP Joe Debono Grech in auguring Dr Fenech Adami a speedy recovery and expressed solidarity with him and his family.