Government, opposition attempt to seek solution after parliamentary committees clash

Two parliamentary committees scheduled at the same hour have caused confusion in parliament as the committees shared the same members.

The point of order was raised after the Opposition received notice that the parliamentary national audit verification committee would meet at 7pm. The committee was called at short notice and coincided with a meeting of the public accounts committee (PAC).

PN MP Tonio Fenech noted that, just a few days ago, the Speaker had ruled against him for cancelling a meeting of the PAC at short notice. Fenech chairs the PAC but is also a member of the parliamentary committee convened at 7pm. His substitute on the PAC, MP Jason Azzopardi, is a member of the national audit verification committee as well.

Intervening, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat explained that the government agreed that the opposition is given access to the due diligence financial report of Sadeen Group, which would be done on a confidentiality basis.

“The government this evening wanted to show the processes in full transparency to the opposition,” Muscat said.

He said that the government, following questions made by the opposition this morning, wanted to come back with replies as soon as possible.

Opposition leader Simon Busuttil asked whether the government would postpone the motion till after parliament reconvenes from the Christmas recess.

“It’s a question of timing and agenda. We believe that enough time was given and I don’t see why we should wait another month when we can discuss and take a decision over these two days,” Muscat replied.

Busuttil reiterated that the problem remained because of the planned PAC meeting. Muscat then proposed that the verification committee meets on Tuesday morning, with plenary session focusing on the AUM debate in the evening.

Busuttil disagreed, arguing that this wouldn’t give the Opposition enough time to prepare for the debate in parliament. Muscat said the issues were different, since the national audit verification committee was to meet to discuss confidential matters, “which the Opposition is not allowed to reveal in the parliamentary debate”.

Labour MP Charles Mangion said that the government and opposition had agreed to discuss the due diligence report in private.

Busuttil said the Opposition – despite the Speaker’s ruling – did not agree that the motion is discussed tomorrow. He then said that he hoped that the ruling did not translate in limiting the time allocated to the Opposition.

“The Prime Minister can rest assured that information given to the Opposition on a confidential basis will remain so. However, this does not mean that we will keep our mouth shut on the political conclusions that we derive from this information,” Busuttil said. 

He added that it was up to Muscat to shoulder responsibility “if he doesn’t want to share information with us”.

Muscat said he always shouldered responsibility, and the only responsibility the Opposition would have to shoulder is to keep in mind that “how the Opposition will act in this debate will affect investments to come”.

“I will shoulder responsibility for the rest,” Muscat said, reiterating that the government would pass on the confidentiality information to the opposition.

Parliament breaks off for the Christmas recess on Wednesday – the day after tomorrow. Muscat will however be abroad for a meeting of Malta’s EU Presidency.

Speaker Anglu Farrugia proposed that parliament extends its hours tomorrow.