Parliament yesterday rose for the Christmas holidays. Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said 2008 had indeed been a lively year which saw a new legislature. It was a very strange one because of oil and financial crises but also one which saw a new opposition leader, new faces in Parliament, a new speaker and a new deputy speaker and a select committee from both sides working to see how things could be bettered. In the face of challenges, the Maltese would look forward to better times.

Dr Gonzi thanked the acting Clerk of the House and her staff, the whips of both parties, members of the police and the armed forces who are responsible for security, and the media. Looking forward, the Prime Minister said he was sure 2009 would also be full of new challenges. The international and regional scenarios warranted that both government and opposition be on their guard. Never like today had there been a need for cooperation between both sides for Malta to continue to prosper. The livelihood of needy families, he said, must continue to be safeguarded.

On behalf of the opposition, Dr Anġlu Farrugia said that indeed the year was turbulent and even Labour had had to pass through a renewal.

Next year's challenges would have to be fought intelligently and the opposition was already giving its full contribution. He asked that one reflect if whatever has been achieved was in fact what the people expected of them. Both Dr Gonzi and Dr Farrugia recalled the memory of the late Labour MP Karl Chircop.

Mr Speaker Louis Galea reciprocated the good wishes and said he hoped that all members would be in the forefront of all the charitable activities being held over yuletide.

Dr Galea also singled out the chairmen of the House permanent committees for their work and cooperation. Concluding, he expressed the House's best wishes to President Edward Fenech Adami and the people of Malta and Gozo.

The House will meet again on January 12, 2009.