Prime Minister Joseph Muscat warned the Opposition today that the government was prepared to hold parliamentary sittings in August if the Opposition adopted an obstructionist attitude.
He said the government was prepared to reach agreement with the Opposition on a programme that would enable it to see the planned legislative programme through before the summer recess, but in the absence of such an agreement, sittings would continue to be held next month.
The government and the Opposition have been arguing about the programming of business since a quorum call led to a sitting being called off on Tuesday.
The Opposition had complained that a bill to transform Enemalta Corporation to a plc should not go ahead since the necessary documents had not been presented. The Speaker had ruled that the sitting could go ahead and the Chair could not tell the government what documents to present.
When Parliament adjourned yesterday, the Opposition said that if the House met on Thursday, it should debate Opposition business, in terms of standing orders.
The Speaker ruled that business should alternate between government and Opposition on Thursdays, in terms of standing orders.
After the Enemalta debate continued this morning, PN whip David Agius protested that another sitting this evening should discuss Opposition business.
The Speaker said business alternated between Thursdays, not between sittings held on Thursdays.
Mr Agius said the adjournment moved to 2pm by the government was irregular as according to standing orders, the debate had to start at 5pm.
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said the government had a legislative programme to see through. Some business could not wait. The problem was compounded by the fact that in view of the move to the new Parliament, sittings after the summer could not, in a best case scenario, start before the first week of October.
He had no objection to having the next sitting at 5pm but business had to proceed and the House would need to meet tomorrow morning, afternoon and evening. Unless the two sides were able to agree on a programme, and if the opposition continued to be obstructionist, sittings would have to continue into August.
Mr Agius said the Opposition was not being obstructionist but a House Business Committee meeting he had sought was not held. He said the Opposition should be respected and he had no problem with sittings continuing in August and September. He said the opposition was not against having the bill on Enemalta approved before the recess.
Carmelo Abela, Labour whip, said respect had to be mutual and he stood by Dr Muscat's comment that the Opposition was obstructing.
Eventually both sides agreed that the Enemalta debate would continue at 5pm today and extra sittings would be held tomorrow. The two sides will meet to discuss a programme.