Sant describes government as 'euro-fanatic'

During this evening's parliamentary sitting, the House discussed the European Union Amendment Bill. Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said the bill is being amended on the advice of the Attorney General in order to ensure that all EU treaties and amendments are properly scrutinised and ratified by Parliament.

Former Prime Minister, Alfred Sant said the bill is "suspicious" and "legally shaky" as the Lisbon Treaty was ratified by Parliament without these amendments and the real problem lies with the lack of scrutiny of EU agreements in Parliament.

Sant refuted accusations of being a euro-sceptic levelled at him by government and labelled his critics as "euro-fanatics".

Sant blamed the lack of scrutiny on a lack of resources, a lack of recognition to MPs and stonewalling on behalf of government. "In contrast with other European parliaments, the Maltese Parliament is under briefed or not briefed at all on European matters."

In his explanation of the bill, Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg said "A lacuna was created unintentionally because the original act was introduced before the 2009 Lisbon Treaty which changed the method of amendment of treaties. The amendment to the original act is needed to make sure the entrenchment of EU laws to Maltese law is done properly".

"The bill will demand Parliament to debate and vote on any changes to EU treaties at committee and plenary levels unless Parliament decides to forgo this process," Borg said.

Borg explained that the bill will pave the way for the implementation of agreements such as the stability pact, the golden rule and ACTA.

The debate on the bill will be resumed on Monday, since tomorrow's parliamentary session was cancelled to enable MPs to attend the ordination of Prospero Grech as bishop at St John's Co-Cathedral. At the end of the sitting Labour's deputy leader Anglu Farrugia addressed Parliament and held an eulogy for Grech, who will be appointed as cardinal in the coming days.