Speaker of the House Anġlu Farrugia has stated that the metal barriers outside Parliament will remain in place until what they have called a ‘permanent solution’ is found.

The barriers were first erected in 2019 in light of surfaced information surrounding the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

On Wednesday, PN MP Darren Carabott stated that the barriers go against Parliament’s ‘artistic philosophy’, going on to ask why they are still in place. Back in May, fellow Nationalist MP Eve Borg Bonello pledged to remove the barriers, stating that the Parliament building should that of the people and that the barriers should be removed to give the power back to the people.

Speaker Farrugia replied that while he also respects the building’s artistry, there is also a responsibility to the protection of members of parliament and the building itself.

He went on to state that, after a number of discussions with security services towards the beginning of this legislature, the number of barriers was considerably decreased.

In exclusive comments to MaltaDaily, PN MP Darren Carabott said:

“Everyday when I walk by or walk into Parliament, the same thought always comes to mind: ‘I can’t stand these barriers’. 

“They go against the architectural and artistic expression behind the building and contrast with the aesthetic beauty of our capital’s main entrance.

“These barriers have been there for these past three years, and from the Speaker’s reply to my question, it looks like they’re here to stay. But until they remain there – they will always represent the detachment and remoteness between us, the Members of Parliament, and our electorate.”

“If our job as MPs is to represent the people, we shouldn’t feel the need to be protected from the people with barriers. It’s a contradiction to what Parliament represents.”

#MaltaDaily