Alternattiva supports move in direction of full-time parliament

AD chairperson says PN deputy leader’s reaction shows MPs’ first concern is private job, not public mandate.

26 June 2013, 12:00am
by Staff Reporter

1 min read

The Green Party is supporting plans to gradually push the House of Representatives towards the direction of a full-time parliament.

In a reaction to whip Carmelo Abela's announcement that one major change in the pipeline will be the timing of parliamentary sittings, with a proposal to start sittings from 5pm to 8.30pm from Mondays to Fridays, Alternattiva Demokratika chairperson Prof. Arnold Cassola, said: "We totally agree on this change which should only be a first step towards a full time parliament, totally dedicated to the issues concerning our people and country."

"In this respect, it is shameful that Opposition deputy leader Mario de Marco cautioned that such a change would create pressure on both employee-management relations and professionals, for whom it would be a peak time for seeing clients. By saying such things, Dr Demarco is basically admitting that for a number of parliamentarians their first concern is their private job and not their public mandate."

More from Staff Reporter

Joseph Pace •

A full time parliament is a must. If need be, reduce it to a 30 member parliament of full timers to get things done, and another 60 to be part-timers assisting the other 30. That gives you a full time representation of one person from each major party, add more representatives if AD or independents manage to get elected, and the rest to assist and vote when needed on a separate level. Whether being full or part time members of parliament to be decided on election by the parties or independent members themselves at the start of a legislature, or in case a full time member resigns.