Your predecessors advocated parliamentary autonomy. You went beyond that and in May last year presented a Bill to this effect. Why is autonomy so important?

Parliament is the country’s highest institution, beyond the government and the Opposition, and as such it should be self-administered.

It is ridiculous that Parliament is still considered like a government department while its budget is being drawn up.

So why has there been no development since May 2014?

We discussed this initiative, drafted the Parliamentary Services Act and handed it over to the government and the Opposition. Last year, our budget was increased by €300,000 to strengthen the institution. I also strengthened our international relations unit by engaging five officers.

What is lacking?

We need the law.

Why has this law not been enacted after almost 18 months?

It is up to the government to include it in Parliament’s agenda.

Let’s take something that materialised. During this year’s Sette Giugno celebrations you spoke about broadcasting Parliament’s TV on a free-to-air platform. This became a reality. Why is it so important?

Parliament requires immediately accessible democracy.

Prior to the internet, the Standing Orders provided for transmission on the radio.

Concurrently, with the move to the new Parliament building these were amended. I promised to ensure that people will be able to follow proceedings from their homes. I wanted these transmissions to be accessible to everyone, even to a pensioner on €500 a month who cannot afford cable TV. We achieved this.

In July the Prime Minister said that after direct transmissions started, parliamentarians became less amicable.

There may have been instances where MPs behaved in a certain manner because of the cameras. Do you agree?

This is a transitory period. The House of Commons faced a similar problem. MPs are maturing. They are better prepared.

The Eurobarometer published last July indicates that 55 per cent of Maltese trust Parliament. That is higher than the 27 per cent and 46 per cent trust enjoyed by political parties and courts respectively. However, it also means that almost half the Maltese do not trust Parliament. Do you think that MPs are responsible for this lack of trust?

There is great scope for more trust. Transparency and accountability will increase trust.

Last year a Bill on standards in public life was presented. So far nothing happened. Why?

It is the government’s prerogative to place it on Parliament’s agenda. There is a government commitment to Greco (Group of States against Corruption, Council of Europe) that by the end of this year, or at the latest early next year, this Bill will be debated in Parliament.

The media raise several questions about the declaration of assets submitted by ministers and MPs. Are you satisfied with the current situation?

No, absolutely not. I have always said that I am not happy. As things stand I am just a repository. A minister or an MP just hands in his or her declaration of assets and everything stops there.

Can you not enquire further about them?

No.

Do you wish to be able to enquire about them?

I cannot investigate them. I cannot even make an observation about them. I can only show them to those who ask to see them. People know that certain declarations merit further explanation. There are questions that deserve an answer.

A minister or an MP hands in his or her declaration of assets and everythings tops there

Public standards’ legislation is crucial in providing such answers; the Commissioner for Standards should be empowered to investigate.

Do you agree that Parliament hindered the latest process for a judge’s impeachment?

No. Absolutely not. My ruling was grounded on the principle that a motion ceases to exist when the proponent is no longer an MP. When this motion was going to be considered, Lawrence Gonzi was no longer an MP. This ruling is based on other rulings, including an Australian one.

The Maltese Parliament is a part-timers’ Parliament. Has the time come for full-time MPs?

I set the example by being the first full-time Speaker. This allows for better and more focused work. I think that the option for full-time MPs should be discussed in future. I believe there should be a choice, for example, similar to that in the Portuguese Parliament, allowing for a hybrid composition.

Obviously, full-timers deserve adequate remuneration.

The government’s electoral manifesto promised that MPs’ attendance would be registered and available online. What are your views?

I agree. I was a member of the political party proposing it and agreed. Discussions are ongoing with the Leader of the House, Louis Grech, so that this is reflected in the Standing Orders.

Another electoral promise is that MPs’ honoraria is linked to attendance in Parliament. Do you agree?

The mechanics have to be agreed upon between the parties. We follow agreed-upon amendments to the Standing Orders. I have my views. I believe mere presence is not enough: participation is necessary.

Do you agree that unjustified absence from Parliament should lead to a deduction in the honorarium?

I believe that serious forsaking of parliamentary work should lead to sanctions.

Ministers do not receive honoraria. How can you deduct from their honoraria for unjustified absence?

Mechanics have to be developed leading to penalties for unjustified absence.

Is MPs’ honoraria appropriate?

Compared with other parliaments our honorarium is among the lowest, if not the lowest, in Europe. A report has already been drawn up by the Ombudsman, the Chief Electoral Commissioner and the Auditor General and it appears that the government will address the issue in the following legislature.

You ended your political career in the manner you were not envisaging. Does this still affect you?

I always look forward. It was not a pleasant experience.

How is your relationship with the Prime Minister?

We have a good working relationship. What happened between us was in the political forum. I am the president of the House and he is the Prime Minister of Malta.

You started your term as Speaker with the Opposition voting against you, claiming it was voting against the manner in which you were nominated, rather than against you personally. What are your views about the Opposition’s position?

I did not consider it as a personal affront. Obviously, I was not pleased that a division was called. I work with everybody.

How do you describe your relationship with the Opposition?

Good. I have a good relationship with everyone.

The scrutiny of the executive arm of the government is at the heart of Parliament. Are you happy with the current situation?

Parliament is exercising scrutiny, the Opposition is doing its duty and should keep doing its work.

The Opposition claims some parliamentary questions are not being answered. What are your views?

This happens on several occasions and in every legislature. The Speaker cannot compel a minister to answer the question or part of it or to add to the information.

The answers to parliamentary questions should be a message to the public. Every five years the Maltese electorate goes to the polls and should bear this in mind.

Should Prime Minister’s Question Time be introduced in Malta, along the lines of the House of Commons?

I think we should stick with the current system. We may lengthen the question time. Scrutiny has to take place when the Opposition is asking questions, irrespective of whether they are directed at the Prime Minister or ministers.

What are your views about the proposals for parliamentary hearings prior to certain appointments, including those of regulatory authorities?

One may introduce such a system. This already takes place in certain instances like, for example, when it comes to the appointment of the Ombudsman. It is being proposed that the Standards Commissioner be appointed along these lines.

But these are officers of Parliament. Should this arrangement be extended to others, for example the Communications Authority and Mepa?

Such a development requires an evolving process which must mature over time. It’s more than simply moving on from one method to another.

Last June you spoke about parliamentary privilege and said there should be a mechanism to protect citizens. Is it not ironic that the same privilege created by Parliament as a protection against the monarch’s abuse may now be abused by the protected against the helpless who elect them?

Compared with other parliaments our honorarium is among the lowest, if not the lowest,in Europe

In Europe, one does not encounter a citizen’s right remedy procedure against MPs, although it may be found in other countries, including Australia.

Should it be introduced in Malta?

Yes. No parliamentarian should abuse a person or a company by attacking them and hiding behind parliamentary privilege.

There should be a remedy handled by the Speaker. I have discussed this with the Speaker of New South Wales Parliament.

In the Maltese Parliament, MPs may speak for 40 minutes. This is among the longest in the world. Isn’t it too much?

This should be addressed. Both sides are discussing an amendment to the standing orders to allow a maximum of 20 minutes. In New Zealand, for example, the Budget speech does not take longer than 20 minutes.

Some people say that you travel quite a lot.

The Sunday Times of Malta said so! I do not think that the paper was fair.

Why not? We are talking of 41 trips in 29 months.

Travel has nothing to do with numbers. Up to now there have been 212 trips by MPs, including the 41 that I led. I try to distribute travel opportunities among other members.

Then there are trips that I have to make, including those where I am invited as president of the House, or conferences that I have to address. Other trips are done jointly with the government. Parliamentary diplomacy requires travel.

You travel to Sicily where you own a house.

My travel to Sicily is related to the collaboration and the excellent relations Parliament has with the region. We have ongoing relations, including the fight against terrorism and crime.

Is that not the government’s work?

Not just the government’s. Parliament has to discuss legal instruments to deal with these problems. One such trip was with [PN MP] Jason Azzopardi and we participated in Judge Giovanni Falcone’s commemoration. There is an explanation for all the trips. A detailed report follows each trip.

Has Jason Azzopardi stayed at your house?

No, he stayed at a hotel. The Times of Malta did not mention that we travelled more at a lower cost. In 2012, €168,000 was spent on much less travel than last year, when €177,000 was spent on much more travel.

How do you explain this?

Simple. We do our best to travel economy or low-cost.

Do you travel low-cost?

Yes. I am comfortable doing it and love meeting people.

So when you travel with a government delegation you end up in a different section of the aircraft.

Yes. There are times when I am in economy class while permanent secretaries on the same aircraft are travelling business class.

And ministers too?

Ministers too.

MPs travel economy. The results of our travel include my appointment on the executive of the Commonwealth Conference Assembly, a first for a Maltese Speaker and an invite to address the American Congress on the Mediterranean.

In recent days, like many others, I got stuck in traffic. I happened to be right behind your car and was struck by the flashing blue lights at the front and back. Is this really necessary?

They are, in view of certain appointments. I think that this was in the morning.

Yes.

I was invited for a live programme on PBS. There was a lot of traffic and I had to arrive on time. By the way, there are no [police outriders] in front of my car.

Another issue about your car, why is it parked right outside the Parliament building?

The Times of Malta seems to worry about my car quiet a lot. Other Speakers parked at the Palace. Transport Malta issued a permit and gave me a slot here.

But the driver may leave you next to the door and then park somewhere else.

Many things are possible. However, I am allotted a parking space there.

What changes would you like to see in the Maltese Parliament?

Several, and we are working on them. These include autonomy, increased accessibility to information and more transparency in the behaviour of each and every one of us. We should be opento questions.

I would also like to see an increased role for national parliaments at an EU level. I was forceful about this during a recent trip to Brussels. Europe cannot move ahead without empowering national parliaments further.

We are midway through this legislature. Will you re-join the political fray when your term is over?

I am enjoying my work here. It is too early to talk about what is in store for me.