PN calls for PMQs, petitions committee, end to parliamentary immunity

The Nationalist Party has proposed a radical shake-up of parliamentary procedures, calling for the introduction of Prime Ministerial Questions, a committee to debate petitions and the end of parliamentary privilege.

PN deputy leader Mario de Marco said that the first half hour of every Wednesday's parliamentary session should be dedicated for MPs to directly question the prime minister, a similar style as in the House of Commons. 

"This will increase transparency on government operations and encourage more members of the public to follow parliamentary affairs," De Marco told a press conference at Parliament. 

"Ministers often avoid answering parliamentary questions by referring them to other ministers, but the prime minister will not be able to shun any question," Opposition MP Censu Galea added.

He also proposed the introduction of a new standing committee to discuss petitions posed to Parliament by the public. The committee - composed of three government MPs and two Opposition MPs - will verify the signatures and decide whether to forward the petition to another standing committee. The committee will then decide whether the petition should be discussed in the House.

All valid petitions will be considered, and they will not have to reach a threshold of signatures.

De Marco also proposed that MPs should no longer be immune from libel when speaking in the House, arguing that the same laws should apply for what is spoken about inside and outside the House.

He also insisted that MPs should be given the choice to be full-timers and that MPs should be aided by parliamentary researchers. 

Another proposal is for every alternate Thursday to be dedicated to Opposition private members’ bills, regardless whether the government uses up the preceding Thursday or not. 

“Thursdays are dedicated to private members’ bills, with alternate weeks for government and Opposition,” De Marco said. “However, a Speaker’s ruling states that the Opposition can only use up its Thursday if the government chooses to use up its own Thursday. So far, the government hasn’t used u any of its Thursdays, which has essentially stopped the Opposition from using them.”

The PN will present these amendments tonight, as amendments to a government motion that will call for MPs to be fined €50 for every unjustified absence from parliament.

MPs who are travelling on government, party or parliamentary business will be excused from the fine, as will MPs who are sick or subjected to extraordinary circumstances.

De Marco said that the PN will support this proposal, but added that ministers should also commit themselves to answering parliamentary questions adequately and to tabling public contracts for scrutiny in the House.