Updated Thursday morning - A parliamentary sitting which started at 6pm yesterday continued till 3am this morning as the Opposition repeatedly called divisions (votes) on various clauses of a new law, known as SPED, which will replace the Structure Plan.
"Tonight we want to send the message that there is something fundamentally wrong in the way this Government is doing things," the Opposition said in a statement.
"We have opted to use the democratic tools at our disposal by calling for a division on the votes taken in the Strategic Plan for Environment and Development (SPED). This means that a twenty minute break will be necessary between each vote where the Opposition opposes amendments tabled by the Government.
"We are doing this because we believe the Government is relegating the environment instead of protecting it.
"We are doing this because we believe that the Government ‘that listens’ is not listening but is riding roughshod over civil society organisations and over well-meaning citizens who want a fair balance between the environment and development.
"We are doing this because the Government sees the protection of the environment as an obstacle to its intention of using land and planning to pay for its shady backroom deals."
The Opposition said the way the Government was dealing with the SPED as well as the three new laws that the Government was rushing through Parliament to break up MEPA were a clear evidence of its intentions, as was its shameful decision to develop pristine land in Żonqor despite widespread opposition.
"Just three weeks ago, outside this Parliament, we witnessed the biggest ever protest against the destruction of the environment. These people deserve a voice and the Opposition, tonight, is giving them a voice," the Opposition said.
It called on the Government to see sense and to start listening.
Fifteen votes were taken, each after a 20-minute break as required by Standing Orders when no prior agreement is reached between both sides of the House. In most of the votes, the result was 35 for the government and 28 for the opposition, later changing to 26 for the opposition.
Earlier, the government rejected an Opposition motion to send SPED back to Mepa for redrafting. The prime minister said however that an opposition motion requiring any changes to Outside Development Zones to go before Parliament was being accepted.
GOVERNMENT SAYS OPPOSITION WAS NEGATIVE AND DESTRUCTIVE
In a reply, the government said the Opposition in parliament had voted against what it had spoken in favour of during the committee stage of the debate and even against clauses which reflected the thinking of NGOs. These were the sort of negative, destructive political games resorted to by those who did not have firm arguments.
On the other hand, the government had accepted an amendment by the Opposition even though it was already provided for in the original draft.
The people could thus distinguish between the positive and the negative, it said.
The sitting ended at 2.52am after 15 divisions, each preceded by 20 minutes' idle waiting time. Sittings normally end at 9.50 pm when divisions are called.
At the start of the voting, Carmelo Abela (PL), Joe Cassar (PN), Helena Dalli and Marlene Farrugia (both PL) were absent and Anthony Agius Decelis (PL)and Frederick Azzopardi were paired. Then Robert Arrigo (PN) called it a day and later Gozitan MPs Anton Refalo and Chris Said decided to pair and left.
At one time, Clyde Puli asked for the protection of the Chair because he said he was insulted by Joe Farrugia (PL). Asked by the Speaker whether he had passed any disparaging remarks to Mr Puli, Mr Farrugia said he was only joking!
The House now stands adjourned for Monday at 6pm.