Further developments in Parliament, including the possibility of full-time parliamentarians were discussed during the debate on the Budget of the Ministry for European Affairs and Implementation of the Electoral Manifesto held yesterday.

Minister Louis Grech’s position as Leader of the House stimulated this debate.

Mario de Marco (PN) said that the time was ripe for MPs to have the option to carry out their parliamentary work on a full-time basis.

Censu Galea (PN) highlighted concern on the negative impact of a career break that an MP would have to face if not re-elected.

This could deter good people from taking up political life.

Parliamentary Secretary Ian Borg criticised the previous administration’s absorption of EU funds

Dr de Marco and Godfrey Farrugia (PL) agreed that parliamentarians required technical and administrative support.

While Dr Farrugia pointed out the recent appointment of five research assistants, Dr de Marco remarked that much more was necessary in view of the complex and highly-technical matters Parliament was expected to debate. Parliamentary Secretary Ian Borg criticised the previous administration’s absorption of EU funds, saying he was told that €200 million was at risk if the pace remained like that in March 2013.

This was refuted by Tonio Fenech (PN), who said that the current absorption rate showed the ground work done by the previous administration to ensure the full use of these funds.

Minister Louis Grech dwelled on a red line for Malta on developing economic integration within the European Union. While Malta was in favour of measures combatting combat fraud and tax evasion,

Malta was against tax harmonisation. Fiscal policy was an important tool to address a country’s realities, said Mr Grech.