Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has held one-to-one meetings with Nationalist MPs in recent days, The Sunday Times has learnt, although sources said the encounters were not necessarily linked to backbench unrest.
These encounters took place ahead of meetings of the parliamentary group on Tuesday and Thursday, which are expected to discuss the health reform bill in the wake of Nationalist MP Jean Pierre Farrugia's declaration last week that he would not support it.
Reservations were also expressed by former parliamentary secretary Frans Agius and Sliema MP Robert Arrigo.
The agenda has not yet been circulated but PN Whip David Agius said MPs would discuss a number of important topics before the opening of Parliament the following week.
He added that every issue requested by an MP had been included.
According to sources, the opposition's parliamentary motion calling for the revocation of the legal notice which brought the new utility tariffs into force is also on the agenda.
The motion is expected to be debated when Parliament reconvenes on March 1, just a day after 11 unions hold a demonstration in Valletta to protest against the new tariffs.
Unions are calling for MPs to be given a free vote.
When contacted, one MP said: "I don't know what the meeting is about, but I expect there will be a discussion on a number of issues that newspapers have been talking about in the past weeks," insisting he wanted to see "harmony" within the parliamentary group.
Disgruntlement came to the fore again last week after the leak of an e-mail sent by Dr Farrugia to the Prime Minister accusing Dr Gonzi of "not lending him an ear".
The e-mail was also circulated to all Nationalist MPs and general secretary Paul Borg Olivier.
Another MP said he hoped the meeting would "try to build bridges", adding: "At last they have realised it is about time to build a team and treat the backbench with more respect.
However, other backbenchers said the party should use this opportunity to show that, contrary to perception, the PN parliamentary group was still united.
They said that although some backbenchers were bestowed with the title of 'disgruntled', all they wanted was to be heard and be involved in the consultation and decision-making process.
One MP said the group had to get cracking to discuss a variety of issues, which are expected to include the reform Bill of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, the implementation of budget measures and other legislation.
There is also a pending motion on the new power station project, on which the parliamentary group is still waiting for the outcome of the Auditor's report.
The meetings will also welcome new backbencher Peter Micallef, who was elected in a casual election to fill the seat vacated by former Social Policy Minister John Dalli.
He will be taking his oath of office on March 1.
The Nationalist parliamentary group was last convened on December 15 when John Dalli's EU Commission nomination was approved by Cabinet and later communicated to other MPs.
Asked why the PN Parliamentary Group had not met for two months, Mr Agius said the delay in the approval of the new Commission by the European Parliament, the casual election and the suspension of Parliament for two weeks all put back the meeting, apart from work trips abroad by several ministers.
"Since the beginning of this legislature, two years ago, the PN parliamentary group met on more occasions than in the previous five years.
"We are continuously improving the communication between the party's MPs and parliamentary group meetings are a way to keep everyone in the loop," he said.