Alternattiva Demokratika is calling for MPs and ministers to focus full-time on Parliament and give up any private practice.

Their salaries should be made up of a flat sum and a percentage based on their parliamentary attendance and roles such as membership of parliamentary committees, party chairman Arnold Cassola said yesterday in a press conference outside Auberge de Castille,

Prof. Cassola and deputy chairman Carmel Cacopardo presented their proposals after meeting with a board, set by the Prime Minister, which is receiving submissions about MPs’ salaries. The board is made up of the Ombudsman, Auditor General and Chief Elec-toral Commissioner.

Mr Cacopardo said the party queried a possible conflict of interest in the members of the board as these were meant to monitor the Government. While insisting that AD was not questioning their integrity, Mr Cacopardo said the party felt their roles would conflict with the terms of reference issued for this particular board. Alternattiva Demokratika also suggested that the work of MPs should be strictly limited to the framework of Parliament without any appointments in government-appointed boards allowed.

Also, MPs and ministers should be eligible to the same National Insurance formula. “This means bringing to an end the present system of honoraria,” Prof. Cassola said.

They should use economy class flights when travelling, and stay in hotels not rated higher than four-star.