"A major step forward for democracy".
"A historic and unanimous agreement."
"An important sign for the country's future."
You will never guess the event at which these over-enthusiastic appellatives were hurled. During the 34th sitting of the present Parliament held on July 16, 2008 a select committee of the House of Representatives was set up by a unanimous vote. This so-called historical agreement followed an exchange of letters between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.
Among the topics initially identified for discussion by the select committee one finds the reforming of the Permanent Commission against Corruption by, among other matters, legally instituting a special investigator for the Commission; and providing for a better functioning and provision of resources for Parliament.
A distinct agenda for distinguished members
The committee was also asked to study the public service broadcasting sector and the better regulation of political stations. Another item on its agenda included the strengthening the Office of the Ombudsman so that it would be able to take responsibility for and coordinate all complaints against the administration of all sections of the public service. The committee was to provide an update of the Electoral Law, which will require a Constitutional revision and measures to restrict the possibility of conflicts of interest on the part of ministers and parliamentary secretaries. It was asked to look into the financing of political parties and spending by political candidates in the run up for elections.
Wow what an agenda!
The Nationalist Party appointed Tonio Borg, Austin Gatt and Francis Zammit Dimech as its representatives on the committee while Labour nominated Anġlu Farrugia, Charles Mangion and Karmenu Vella.
Michael Frendo, Beppe Fenech Adami and Charlo Bonnici are substitute PN members while Evarist Bartolo, Michael Falzon and George Vella are the substitute PL nominees.
The Speaker chairs the committee and in his absence deputy speaker, Carmelo Abela takes over.
Wow what a distinct and formidable team!
Un bel zero
I don't blame you if you do not recall this "major step forward for democracy." Fourteen months after its setting up, this high-powered select committee has produced un bel zero.
The committee started with a bang. It met six times between July and October 2008. According to Speaker Louis Galea (The Sunday Times, 18/07/09) after the sixth session on October 24 the committee only met once when "further division of labour was agreed".
Hibernation followed by holidays
It seems that with the approach of winter the committee members thought that the impending cold weather prudently indicated a long period of hibernation. The threat of swine fever indicated a similar option for spring while no one should have expected the committee to meet in summer since the gods declared that as a holiday season.
Louis Galea, is not known as someone who lets grass grow under his feet. Several of the members of the select committee are know as dynamic folks. So why have we been regaled by this long period of inaction? What happened along the way so that the initial enthusiasm was dampened so much that it morphed into inertia?
This somewhat long lull in proceeding was interrupted twice. In the run up for the EU parliamentary elections The Sunday Times had revealed that the Partit Laburista had proposed that political parties should receive an annual contribution from the government of €5 for each vote obtained at the last general election. The PL also insisted that political parties should disclose the identity of those making donations above a certain amount and had proposed that the Auditor General should audit the accounts of both parties.
The country, I think, is in no mood to hand out such funds to the political parties and it is clear that the information was leaked to embarrass the PL. I am, however, part of a small minority who support the public financing of political parties. Several NGOs are helped through public funds, why should not the state similarly aid political parties?
Another interruption of the collective slumbering period was effected by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, this time following the EU parliamentary election. A controversy of sorts erupted vis-à-vis the spending spree some the candidates embarked on for that election. Many asked whether there is a law for us mere mortals and a different one for politicians. The question was legitimately asked as it was evident that several wannabe MEP spent more that the law allows. Some, in fact, clearly said so. The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition asked the members of the select committee to stop warming their nether regions and produce something decent so that problem that was experienced would not be repeated.
It seems that the reaction to the appeal of the leaders was snore snore and turn over to the other side without interrupting slumber.
The coming autumn and winter should not be another long period of hibernation. It should be a period of busy work for the members of the select committee. They own it to themselves and their credibility. They owe it to us the voters.
I still believe that our politicians have what it takes to give us what we need to improve our already strong democracy. They amply demonstrated this on occasions in the past. Am I naïve to still hope for a hallelujah instead of a requiem?