Government, opposition agree on ‘rationalisation' of negative resolution

The Opposition has supported a government’s proposal amending the time window by which a debate on subsidiary legislation must take place. Under the negative procedure the new regulations become law unless they are rejected by a resolution within a set number of days.

Justice Minister Owen Bonnici made the proposal while PN deputy leader Mario de Marco voiced his support.

According to current parliamentary procedure, a member of parliament has 28 days to submit a motion to amend, annul or revoke a subsidiary legislation tabled in parliament.

By way of example, the opposition had 28 days during which to file a motion and ensure a debate takes place in parliament when it wanted to revoke the legal notice regulating the Individual Investor Programme.

With the new amendments, the House of Representatives now has a total of 60 days. If a motion is filed on the 27th day, kicking off from when the subsidiary legislation is tabled in parliament, MPs would have 33 days during which a debate must take place.

“The Opposition understands that a time limit of 28 days could create logistical problems to the government and that is why this side of the House will not object to the amendments,” de Marco said.

He however urged government not to abuse of this amendment and ensure that urgent motions should be treated with the necessary urgency and avoid delays.