A new Committee of the House of Representatives is to discuss the drafting of a law on assisted procreation, while another committee will make recommendations on the codification of the Laws of Malta.

A motion presented to Parliament this evening says that the new committees will be headed by Nationalist MPs Jean-Pierre Farrugia and Franco Debono respectively.

The motion was presented by Tonio Borg, Leader of the House.

ASSISTED PROCREATION

The motion on assisted procreation says that the issue of medical assistance for procreation needs to be extensively debated.

It points out that the absence of legislation is allowing absolute freedom in this area, to the extent that certain practices have become permissible for lack of legislation, to the detriment of persons who subject themselves to medical intervention. This, the motion says, is also detrimental to children born as a result of such methods.

The new Select Committee will hear all parties and list the basic elements of future legislation on assisted procreation.

The committee will be headed by Dr Jean Pierre Farrugia as president, with an MP from each side of the House as members.

The committee will be required to submit its report in the shortest time possible and not later than three months' time.

CONSOLIDATION OF LAWS

The motion on the consolidation of laws says that re-codification and consolidation has become necessary in view of extensive amendments made over the years and the enactment of new laws which have not been inserted in their natural place in the body of laws.

There are also laws which have become anachronistic and irrelevant.

Some laws, therefore, need to be removed while others of the same subject need to be merged. The laws also need to be codified according to their nature and subject area.

The committee to oversee this process will be headed by Franco Debono as president and an MP from each side of the House.

The committee will be required to report progress every six months and will be able to propose amendments to legislation and make recommendations.

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