Speaker Anġlu Farrugia is not happy with how “some things” are working out at the new Parliament building, so much so that the House Business Committee will pay a site visit on July 7.
Dr Farrugia, who chairs the committee, told members yesterday that, just in case things did not go according to plan, he had already made arrangements for the plenary chamber and committee rooms at the Palace – where Parliament now meets – to remain functional, complete with recording systems, until everything was in place at the new building.
Government Whip Carmelo Abela said that, in view of the migration to the new building at City Gate, the government planned to reconvene Parliament around mid-October, to win some more time.
At yesterday’s meeting, the committee agreed that the Opposition motion on a dispute between the Ombudsman and the Home Affairs Ministry would be discussed on Wednesday.
The government planned to reconvene Parliament around mid-October, to win some more time
Mr Abela said the government would like to have four Bills debated before the summer recess: amendments to the Civil Code, so that couples in civil unions would be able to register their status with the proper formulary; another on patents; one providing for the transfer of Enemalta assets, debts and rights; and a fourth on party financing.
Infrastructure Minister Joe Mizzi will on Monday move two Bills to amend legislation on international standards with regard to the continental shelf, territorial waters and contiguous zones. These could be followed with debates on the Broadcasting Bill and the Interpretation Bill.
Finance Minister Edward Scicluna will pilot the second reading of the Fiscal Responsibility Bill on Tuesday. The debate could continue during the sitting of July 8 or 9.
Opposition Whip David Agius said he would consult his parliamentary group on starting the discussion on political party financing before the recess.
What the Opposition wanted to debate before the recess was the Bill on standards in public life, so a public consultation could be held during the recess.
Mr Abela said the government would like to meet the Opposition for talks on changes to Parliament’s standing orders. One of the topics would be amendments to legislation on the holding of petitions.
The committee also discussed the holding of an exhibition about Malta’s political history on the ground floor of the new Parliament building on its inauguration. The exhibition is sponsored and organised by Bank of Valletta.
The bank had suggested that Ray Mangion, Godfrey Pirotta and Henry Frendo be consulted on the exhibition material and that a steering committee be set up that would include the Speaker and the Clerk of the House, Ray Scicluna. The committee left the decision to the Speaker, on condition it would be able to vet the material in advance.
Dr Farrugia said that he had approached BoV CEO Charles Borg with a request to sponsor movable shelving in time for the exhibition, costing about €50,000.
On former MPs’ requests to be allowed to retain the title of honourable, the Speaker submitted research on the situation in the Commonwealth and beyond.