Parliament rose for a 10-week summer recess in view of the migration from the Palace to the new Renzo Piano building at the entrance of Valletta, a move which both sides of the House highlighted during the adjournment.

Deputy Speaker Ċensu Galea reported that, since January, there were 79 plenary sessions and 90 permanent committee meetings.

Nine ministerial statements were made and MPs considered two petitions, 65 motions, 10 Private Member’s Bills and 35 Bills.

Only three of the Bills were passed after a division, the rest being unanimously approved.

So far in this legislature, about 11,000 parliamentary question were tabled, including 4,000 in the past six months.

There were 68 adjournment speeches and the Speaker was asked to give a ruling 13 times.

Sources told Times of Malta that, last week, the Speaker, Anġlu Farrugia, established a record by giving three rulings within 24 hours, breaking the previous record of two rulings in the 1920s.

Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech traced Parliament’s history at the Palace since 1850, saying that when one entered the Chamber early before a sitting one could feel the presence of leaders like Sir Paul Boffa, Dom Mintoff (who served for 51 years), George Borg Olivier and Eddie Fenech Adami.

He said that about 1,600 laws had been approved since Independence 50 years ago.

Mr Grech said that apart from continuing to serve as the President’s office, the Palace would also be used in preparedness for Malta’s presidency of the European Union in 2017.

Deputy Opposition leader Mario de Marco recalled that the first parliamentary sittings were held in the Tapestry Room.

In 1976, the armoury was transformed into the present Chamber on plans by architect Richard England.

From the legislative point of view, the Palace had seen Malta transform itself into a strong democracy. Parliament sits again on October 13.