UPDATED - Adds details, video comments by the Prime Minister and Jean-Pierre Farrugia -

A three-hour meeting of the Nationalist Party parliamentary group on the raise given to ministers and MPs ended this afternoon, without any details being given on the outcome.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi only it had been a 'good' meeting where MPs voiced their opinions, and he would announce the decisions later. He said, when questioned, that there had been agreement.

The details are expected to be given in Parliament this evening.

Nationalist MP Jean Pierre Farrugia did not comment other than to reiterate in reply to questions, that if there was a raise, he would donate the proceeds. He said the decisions were still pending and had still to be formalised.

Dr Farrugia had protested over the way the raise was given and warned he would back a motion to stop the process.

The PN group meeting followed a Cabinet meeting lasting more than two hours this morning, about the same issue.

Informed sources said a meeting of the Labour Party's MPs was also being held.

One of the proposals discussed at the Cabinet/PN meetings meetings as a way to defuse the controversial issue, was for the ministers to continue to receive the parliamentary honoraria along with their ministerial salary, which they started to receive in 2008, while refunding the difference given to them when the honoraria was raised to 70% of civil service pay scale one, from the previous 50%. (The honoraria was raised to €26,000 from €19,000).

The ministers had started to receive the honoraria at €26,000 in 2008 but backbenchers have still to get their raise. The refund will be in excess of €14,000 from each minister.

The MPs were promised that they would get arrears to 2008, but it is now not clear whether that will happen.

Informed sourced said the meeting of the PN group was 'calmer than expected' with the MPs recognising that action was needed to settle the issue, described as damaging to the party and to MPs.