The Parliament of Malta will reconvene today, with the Speaker set to issue a series of rulings, two of which will address matters concerning parliamentary questions.

These rulings will add to the 18 already made in this legislative term, primarily dealing with the handling of such questions.

The Speaker is expected to propose improvements to the process and timing for answering parliamentary questions.

Anġlu Farrugia has also highlighted the need for the Government and Opposition to engage in discussions aimed at reviewing the standing orders of Parliament.

According to data shared with TVMnews, nine out of ten parliamentary question during this term have been answered. Furthermore, the total number of questions asked—21,303—already equaled that of the previous term, with 19,453 answered and 1,146 still pending.

Speaker Farrugia stressed the importance of further shortening speeches, which have already been reduced, and reiterated citizens’ right to seek remedies for statements made in Parliament.

On its part, the Nationalist Party (PN) emphasised that the Government must stop withholding information and start answering parliamentary questions. With Ian Borg replacing Chris Fearne as the new Leader of the House, PN Whip Robert Cutajar and Deputy Whip Paula Mifsud Bonnici called for a change in the Government’s approach, urging respect for Parliament. Robert Cutajar said that over 800 Parliamentary Questions have not yet been answered by Government Ministers.

The PN also revisited its previous proposals to enhance parliamentary work, including a Prime Minister’s Question Time similar to the UK system. They proposed extending parliamentary sessions to Thursday, alternating between Government and Opposition-led discussions, and advocated for child care facilities for MPs and parliamentary staff.

#MaltaDaily