Former Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt has refused to comment about the Government’s claim that the new Parliament building does not have enough space.

“Forget me, I’m retired. Happy Easter,” was Dr Gatt’s curt reply when contacted yesterday for a reaction.

Dr Gatt, who ran the PN’s election campaign but refrained from contesting, was the minister responsible for the Valletta project, designed by renowned Italian architect Renzo Piano.

It emerged yesterday that the incoming Government is reviewing the layout plans of the Renzo Piano Parliament after finding there is not enough space to house the offices of all ministers and parliamentary secretaries.

The new Parliament, being built on the former Freedom Square at City Gate, also lacks sufficient space for all parliamentary committees and for a Cabinet meeting.

The new government, which has been criticised for having the largest Cabinet in Maltese history, has 14 ministers and eight parliamentary secretaries – and the new building only has space for 16 ministerial offices.

There is also concern that the building does not have enough space for all the parliamentary committees and other committees which may be set up in line with the practice in other EU countries.

The plans provide for only four fully equipped committee rooms, with the planners arguing that committees never all meet at the same time.

The parliament is made up of two blocks: one for the chamber and the other housing the various offices including the ministerial offices, offices for the Opposition, rooms for the backbenchers, the Speaker’s chamber and the offices of the parliamentary staff.

The project, which is due to be completed late this year, now falls within the remit of Infrastructure Minister Joe Mizzi, who was briefed by officials last week.

Mr Mizzi was also the long-serving whip of the Labour parliamentary group up to the end of the last legislature.

Speaking to The Times yesterday, a spokeswoman for Mr Mizzi said the ministry was in discussions with the architects of the project to find solutions for the logistical problems.

“The previous administration based the plans on the size of Cabinet they deemed fit but this does not meet the exigencies of the current Government so solutions will have to be found,” the spokeswoman said.

The Nationalist Party was also contacted for a reaction to the story but no reply was forthcoming by the time of going to print.