Nr 12 Marzu 2016 March 2016 PARLAMENT TA’ MALTA
mill‑PARLAMENT
Perjodiku maħruġ mill‑Uffiċċju tal‑Ispeaker
Periodical issued by the Office of the Speaker
mill-PARLAMENT - Marzu 2016
Mistiedna jżuru l-wirja fotografika Women ‘ Refugees Guests visit the photgraphic exhibition ‘Women and Asylum Seekers’ li ġiet imtella’ fil-foyer tal- Refugees and Asylum Seekers’ which was organised in Parlament fil-bidu ta’ Marzu. the Parliament’s foyer in the beginning of May.
Ħarġa Nru 12/Issue No. 12 3Daħla Marzu 2016/March 2016 Foreword
Ippubblikat mill‑Uffiċċju tal‑Ispeaker 4Xi Ġurnali F’Malta Mill-1798 sal-1964 Published by the Office of the Speaker Some Newspapers In Malta From 1798 to 1964
Bord Editorjali
Editorial Board 10L-Uffiċċju Nazzjonali Tal-Verifika - L-Għassies Tal-Fondi Pubbliċi Ray Scicluna Josanne Paris National Audit Office – The Guardian Of The Public Purse Ancel Farrugia Migneco Eleanor Scerri 18Attivitajiet tal‑Parlament Sarah Gauci Activities in Parliament Eric Frendo
Indirizz Postali 34Attivitajiet Internazzjonali Postal Address International Activities House of Representatives Republic Street Valletta VLT 1115 Malta
+356 2559 6000 Qoxra: Sessjoni speċjali fil-Kamra li mmarkat Jum il-Commonwealth www.parlament.mt Cover: Special session in the House [email protected] to mark Commonwealth Day.
ISSN 2308‑538X ISSN (online) 2308‑6637 Ritratti/Photos: Parlament ta’ Malta/DOI
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Daħla Foreword
F’din it-12-il ħarġa tal-pubblikazzjoni mill-Parlament insibu In this 12th issue of the publication mill-Parlament one diversi artikli interessanti. Artiklu ferm interessanti huwa can find several interesting articles. One of these is the dak ta’ Dr. George Cassar, studjuż tal-istorja u soċjologu, article penned by George Cassar, a history scholar and a fejn għamel analisi profonda tal-ġurnali f’Malta bejn l-1798 sociologist, wherein he makes a profound analysis of the u l-1964 meta Malta kisbet l-Indipendenza. Wieħed jinnota journals publishedin Malta between 1798 and 1964, when li, minkejja li dak iż-żmien Malta kienet kolonja Ingliża, Malta gained its independence. It is interesting to note uħud mill-gazzetti kienu jinkitbu bil-lingwa Taljana, inkluż that, although at that time Malta was a British colony, some saħansitra l-gazzetta tal-Gvern, il-Gazzetta del Governo di papers were written in the Italian language, including the Malta tal-1813. government newspaper, Gazetta del Governo di Malta of 1813. Artiklu ieħor huwa dwar l-Uffiċċju Nazzjonali tal-Verifika, miktub mill-Awditur Ġenerali, is-Sur Charles Deguara. Another article focuses on the National Audit Office and Hawnhekk nieħu din l-okkażjoni biex nawguralu fil- is written by the Auditor General, Mr Charles Deguara. I ħatra kostituzzjonali reċenti tiegħu. Dan huwa artiklu hereby take this opportunity to congratulate him on his informattiv dwar il-ħidma tal-Uffiċċju Nazzjonali tal-Verifika recent constitutional appointment. This is an informative u r-relevanza tiegħu għas-soċjetà li fiha jrid jopera, biex article about the work carried out by the National Audit jitwettaq l-iskrutinju neċessarju tal-finanzi pubbliċi ħalli tiġi Office and its relevance to the society in which itmust assigurata governanza serja. operate to carry out the necessary scrutiny of public finances to ensure good governance. Interessanti wkoll li f’din il-ħarġa nsibu kif il-Parlament iċċelebra Commonwealth Day fl-14 ta’ Marzu. Għal In this issue we also find an interesting overview of how din l-okkażjoni saret seduta speċjali fil-Parlament, bil- Parliament celebrated Commonwealth Day on 14 March. parteċipazzjoni ta’ diversi Membri Parlamentari miż- On this occasion, Parliament held a special session with the żewġ naħat tal-Kamra, li fiha saret dikussjoni dwar participation of several MPs from both sides of the House il-Commonwealth Charter. Id-diskussjoni ffokat fuq il- to discuss the Commonwealth Charter. The discussion ħtieġa li kulħadd għandu jingħata l-istess trattament, focused on the fact that everyone must be given the same irrispettivament minn jekk hux fqir jew sinjur, mir-razza, mill- treatment, regardless of whether they are poor or rich, età, mit-twemmin u minn kull forma ta’ identità tal-ġeneru. their race, age, beliefs and gender identity. It was very Kien tassew ta’ sodisfazzjon li kien hemm parteċipazzjoni gratifying to see how students from various colleges who sħiħa f’din id-diskussjoni min-naħa ta’ studenti minn diversi attended the hearing took part fully in the discussions. kulleġġi li attendew għal din is-seduta. Dawn staqsew ukoll They also asked a number of questions to representatives għadd ta’ domandi lir-rappreżentanti ta’ fora li pparteċipaw of forums that participated in the Commonwealth Heads fil-Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting li sar of Government Meeting held in Malta last November, f’Malta f’Novembru li għadda, fosthom il-Business Forum, including the Business Forum, the People’s Forum, the il-People’s Forum, il-Women’s Forum u l-Youth Forum, kif Women’s Forum and the Youth Forum, as well as to MPs ukoll lill-Membri Parlamentari involuti fil-Commonwealth involved in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Parliamentary Association u uffiċjali mill-Ministeru għall- and representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Affarijiet Barranin. An important meeting mentioned in this issue is with the Laqgħa importanti li tissemma f’din il-ħarġa hija dik li Director General for Communication of the European jien kelli mad-Direttur Ġenerali għall-Komunikazzjoni tal- Parliament, Juana Lahousse-Juárez, where we talked about Parlament Ewropew, Juana Lahousse-Juárez, li fiha tkellimna various subjects, including the possibility of EU funding for dwar diversi suġġetti. Fost oħrajn, iddiskutejna l-possibbiltà a library and archive development project at Level -2 of ta’ fondi Ewropej għall-proġett ta’ żvilupp ta’ librerija u the Parliament building. We also took the opportunity to arkivju tal-Parlament fil-Livell -2 tal-bini tal-Parlament, visit the proposed site and on the same day we opened filwaqt li ħadet l-okkażjoni li żżur is-sit propost. Dakinhar a photographic exhibition about women refugees and inawgurajna wkoll esibizzjoni fotografika dwar - ir refuġjati asylum seekers, which was held in the foyer and was open nisa u asylum seekers, liema wirja nżammet fil-foyer tal- to the public. Parlament u kienet miftuħa għall-pubbliku. In March, about 80 people, including Parliamentary F’Marzu saret preżentazzjoni ta’ ċertifikati lil madwar 80 officers and members of the Police Force, were presented persuna, fosthom uffiċjali tal-Parlament u membri tal-Korp with certificates following basic training in fire-fighting and tal-Pulizija, li kisbu taħriġ bażiku fit-tifi tan-nar u fl-użu tal- the use of lifts in an emergency. The presentation took lift f’każ ta’ emerġenza. Il-preżentazzjoni saret fil-preżenza place in the presence of the Commissioner of Police, Mr tal-Kummissarju tal-Pulizija, is-Sur Michael Cassar, u tal-Kap Michael Cassar, and the Director of the Civil Protection tal-Protezzjoni Ċivili, is-Sur John Rizzo. Department, Mr John Rizzo. Ta’ min jgħid li sal-pubblikazzjoni ta’ dan il-ġurnal il-Parlament It is worth noting that by the time this journal is published, se jkun żamm 370 seduta u s-Sedja se tkun tat aktar minn Parliament will have held 370 sittings and the Chair will 25 ruling, li wħud minnhom jittrattaw punti interessanti ta’ have given more than 25 rulings, some of which deal with proċedura li l-Parlament qatt ma kien iffaċċja. interesting points of procedure that Parliament had never faced before. Bi pjaċir kbir ngħid li l-Parlament beda jiddibatti l-Abbozz ta’ Liġi dwar is-Servizz Parlamentari, li jittratta- l awtonomija It is with great pleasure that I mention the Parliamentary amministrattiva tal-Parlament u li dwaru hemm qbil miż- Service Bill, which deals with the administrative autonomy żewġ naħat tal-Kamra. Għalkemm dan l-Abbozz ta’ Liġi of Parliament. Both sides of the House are in agreement jinsab fl-istadju tat-Tieni Qari, nista’ ngħid li d-diskussjoni with this Bill and have started discussing it. Although li saret s’issa kienet waħda kostruttiva u nispera li ż-żewġ the Bill is at the second reading stage, I can say that so gruppi parlamentari issa jkomplu bil-ħidma tagħhom sabiex far, the discussion was constructive and I hope that both naraw din il-liġi titwettaq mill-aktar fis possibbli. parliamentary groups will continue their work in order to see this law come into effect as soon as possible. Anġlu Farrugia Anġlu Farrugia
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Xi ġurnali f’Malta mill-1798 sal-1964
Mill-invenzjoni tal-istampar ’l hawn, il-kelma miktuba Meta l-istatus ta’ Malta gradwalment sar aktar ċar saret mezz mill-aktar b’saħħtu biex wieħed jinfluwenza u l-Ingliżi stabbilew ruħhom fil-gżira, l-ewwel ġurnal u jinforma. Għalkemm għall-ewwel il-proċess tal- stampat li deher fil-kolonja l-ġdida appena miksuba istampar kien pjuttost lent u tedjanti, madankollu biż- kien il-Gazzetta del Governo di Malta li tnieda fis-27 żmien, it-teknika u t-teknoloġija gradwalment tjiebu. ta’ Ottubru 1813, u kien bit-Taljan. Mal-ħarġa nru 145 Il-midja stampata bdiet tilħaq aktar u aktar nies li min- tas-7 ta’ Awwissu 1816, dan bidel ismu għal Malta naħa tagħhom xerrdu l-informazzjoni li kienu qraw fost Government Gazette. F’dan iż-żmien f’Malta setgħu dawk anqas litterati u dawk illitterati. L-edukazzjoni jiġu stampati biss ġurnali bil-liċenzja tal-gvern; ġurnal u l-leġislazzjoni għenu sabiex jikkonsolidaw l-effetti minn dawn kien Il Cartaginese (1804-10). Madankollu, tal-midja stampata u sabiex jirregolaw il-funzjoni seta’ jiġi impurtat materjal stampat ġewwa pajjiżi tagħha. F’Malta, l-ewwel stamperija kienet dik ta’ oħra, inkluż fl-Ingilterra, anki dak li jitkellem dwar Pompeo del Fiore li twaqqfet fl-1642. Huwa ngħata Malta. Mill-banda l-oħra, iċ-ċensura uffiċjali -tal liċenzja mill-Granmastru Lascaris. Din l-istamperija istampa għamlitha diffiċli għal nies li jippubblikaw kienet il-predeċessur tal-Istamperija tal-Gvern. ix-xogħlijiet tagħhom lokalment. Il-Kummissjoni Rjali tal-1836, fost ir-rakkomandazzjonijiet tagħha, Wara li Malta għaddiet minn taħt l-Ordni ta’ San tat parir favur it-tneħħija taċ-ċensura tal-istampa u Ġwann għal taħt il-Franċiżi, il-ħakkiema l-ġodda allura l-introduzzjoni tal-libertà tal-istampa. rnexxielhom jippubblikaw xi ħarġiet tal-gazzetta uffiċjali msejħa Journal De Malte qabel ma l-Maltin L-awtoritajiet Ingliżi segwew dan is-suġġeriment u qamu kontrihom. Dan l-avveniment epiku għal Malta sal-1838 tfaċċaw -l ewwel ġurnali lokali, ġeneralment affettwa l-ħajja ta’ kuljum u aktar u aktar l-istampar bit-Taljan billi din kienet il-lingwa tal-komunikazzjoni ta’ ħarġiet oħra tal-gazzetta uffiċjali. Fl-1800 il-Franċiżi ta’ dawk li kellhom xi livell ta’ edukazzjoni. Hekk finalment tkeċċew minn Malta ul-gżejjer għaddew beda jiċċirkola Lo Spettatore Imparziale, li l-editur għal għand l-Imperu Ingliż. tiegħu kien il-Kanonku Fortunato Panzavecchia u li deher fit-28 ta’ April 1838, u Il Portafoglio Maltese, maħluq mill-Avukat Paolo Sciortino u li tnieda xahar wara. Sadanittant, -fit 2 ta’ Jannar 1833, il-Malta Government Gazettenbidlilha isimha għal The Malta Government Gazette.
L-Ordinanza Nru IV tal-1839 stabbiliet il-legalità taċ-ċensura tal-ktieb u tal-istampa. F’dan iż-żmien tfaċċaw numru ta’ ġurnali f’Malta, inkluż il-ġurnal Fortunato Mizzi The Harlequin (1838-40) li kien bl-Ingliż u li ma tantx
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Xi ġurnali f’Malta mill-1798 sal-1964 (Kont.)
dam joħroġ; postu ħaditu The Malta Times. Kien Il-ġurnal bit-Taljan Malta, kien il-ġurnal tan- hemm ukoll Il Mediterraneo, miktub prinċipalment nazzjonalisti u kien jintuża biex jikkritika lill-gvern bit-Taljan; tnieda fl-1838 u kompla joħroġ mill-anqas kolonjali. Mill-banda l-oħra, il-Malta Chronicle & sal-1871. Żewġ protagonisti fil-ġlieda għal-libertà tal- Imperial Services Gazette, li kien bl-Ingliż, kien istampa kienu Giorgio Mitrovich u Camillo Sciberras. jappoġġa l-interessi imperjalisti. L-ewwel edituri Il-Knisja lokali, għall-ewwel beżgħet li din il-libertà tal-ġurnal Malta kienu Fortunato Mizzi u ħuh ġdida kienet se twassal biex il-Protestanti jieħdu Giuseppe, segwiti minn Enrico Mizzi. Il-Malta vantaġġ mis-sitwazzjoni biex jippriedkaw it-twemmin Chronicle kien il-proprjetà ta’ Antonio Bartolo li tagħhom filwaqt li jinkoraġġixxu wkoll lil xi wħud ġie mgħoddi lil uliedu Joseph u Augustus Bartolo. sabiex jikkritikaw l-awtorità tal-Knisja u jikkompetu Iż-żewġ ġurnali ssoktaw sas-snin tletin tas-seklu mal-awtorità u s-supremazija tagħha fost il-poplu għoxrin. Il-ġurnali politiċi bdew jidhru aktar ta’ Malti. Madankollu, meta kienet abolita ċ-ċensura, il- spiss bil-Malti mal-bidu tas-seklu għoxrin. Il-Poplu Knisja u organizzazzjonijiet Kattoliċi oħra użaw din il- Malti kien il-ġurnal Nazzjonalist-Mizzjan. Politiku libertà b’mod estensiv għall-vantaġġ tagħhom. prominenti ieħor, Sigismondo Savona, kien l-editur tal-Malta Ghada Taghna, filwaqt li Manwel Dimech kien imexxi Il-Bandiera tal-Maltin. Dan il-ġurnal ingħalaq fl-1911 minħabba li l-ideat ta’ Dimech ma kinux jaqblu ma’ dawk tal-awtoritajiet stabbiliti.
Fis-snin għoxrin tas-seklu għoxrin ġiet imwaqqfa l-Progress Press minn Gerald Strickland u din ippubblikat il-ġurnali Il-Progress (1921-32) u Il- Berqa (1930-68), li kienu bil-Malti, u l-ġurnali bl- Il-lingwa Maltija kienet tintuża, speċjalment fil- Ingliż, it-Times of Malta Weekly (1929, li bidel ismu ġurnali satiriċi. Din - it tip ta’ letteratura kienet għal The Sunday Times fl-1938) u t-Times of Malta popolari ħafna anki meta ma kinitx bil-Malti. Fost (1935- ). Il-Knisja wkoll nediet il-ġurnal tagħha, Leħen dan it-tip ta’ ġurnali kien hemm Brighella u Bertoldu is-Sewwa, fl-1 ta’ Settembru 1928, immexxi mill- (lejn l-aħħar tas-snin tletin tas-seklu dsatax), Giahan Azzjoni Kattolika. Dan huwa l-aktar ġurnal antik li (għal nofs is-snin erbgħin tas-seklu dsatax), u Don għadu joħroġ f’Malta. Iż-żewġ partiti politiċi ewlenin Basilio (lejn l-aħħar tas-snin sittin tas-seklu dsatax). ta’ wara l-gwerra wkoll kellhom diversi ġurnali biex Matul ir-Risorgimento Taljan (1830-70) diversi eżiljati jippromwovu l-ideat u l-programmi tagħhom. Taljani sabu kenn f’Malta. Huma kellhom influwenza qawwija fuq il-ġurnaliżmu Malti u żiedu l-aġitazzjoni Il-General Workers Union ma naqsitx milli jkollha u l-mobilizzazzjoni politika fost - l intellettwali l-ġurnal tagħha bl-isem The Torch (aktar tard It-Torċa), lokali li kellhom għarfien politiku. B’riflessjoni tal- u dan deher għall-ewwel darba fl-1944. Aktar tard konflitt kontinwu Anglo-Taljan fil-kolonja, li tawwal il-GWU bdiet tippubblika L-Orizzont li deher fl-1962 għal ħafna snin, il-ġurnali kienu mezz b’saħħtu li u dan il-ġurnal gradwalment ġab fit-tmiem Il-Berqa. bih jiġu ppreżentati l-ideat partiġjani. Filwaqt li Il Waħda mill-pubblikazzjonijiet tal-Partit Laburista Mediterraneo, li kien immexxi minn eżiljati Taljani Malti kienet Is-Sebħ li tnediet fl-1949 u li mill-1959 f’Malta, kien jikkritika l-ħakma Ingliża tal-kolonja, The kienet sostitwita minn Il-Ħelsien. Dawn il-ġurnali Malta Times, li l-edituri tagħha kienu Ingliżi, kienet kienu joħorġu mill-Freedom Press tal-Partit Laburista. kompletament favur il-valuri u l-interessi Ingliżi u Il-Partit Nazzjonalista kien jippubblika l-ġurnal Patria Protestanti fil-kolonja. Dawn l-ideat u perspettivi li deher għall-ewwel darba fl-1922. Dan twaqqaf wara kuntrastanti saru saħansitra aktar evidenti mis-snin xi snin iżda mbagħad reġa’ beda joħroġ mill-1947. Il- tmenin tas-seklu dsatax ’il quddiem. ġurnal l-ieħor tal-Partit kien Il-Poplu u kien joħroġ bejn l-1929 u l-1939. Dan imbagħad issokta fl-1958.
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Xi ġurnali f’Malta mill-1798 sal-1964 (Kont.)
Il-kisba tal-indipendenza fl-1964 kabbret ir-rwol tal-istampa Maltija. Il-partiti politiċi ewlenin raw li jkollhom ġurnali b’saħħithom u effettivi li bihom iwasslu l-messaġġ u l-aġenda tagħhom. Numru ta’ ġurnali indipendenti wkoll iddominaw l-arena nazzjonali u gradwalment żiedu l-ħidma u l-preżenza tagħhom fost il-qarrejja lokali. Tfaċċat ukoll l-istampa online li nfirxet bil-miġja tal-internet. Illum Malta hija stat modern b’midja stampata u elettronika effiċjenti.
Manwel Dimech (fin-nofs)
Comm. Dr George Cassar huwa Senior Lecturer fl-Istitut għat-Turiżmu, l-Ivvjaġġar u l-Kultura tal-Università ta’ Malta. Huwa soċjologu storiku u pedagoġista b’interessi ta’ riċerka fl- Istorja u s-Soċjoloġija tal-Edukazzjoni; il-Pedagoġija tal-Patrimonju Kulturali, l-Istorja u l-Istudji Soċjali; l-Istorja tat- Tagħlim tal-Istorja; l-Istudju tal-Ordni ta’ San Ġwann (SMOM); l-Istorja u l-Kultura ta’ Malta; il-Patrimonju u l-Kultura; it- Turiżmu Kulturali; u s-Soċjoloġija tal-Ikel. Huwa l-awtur jew l-editur ta’ kotba u rivisti akkademiċi, u ppubblika għadd ta’ studji fil-ġurnali u kapitli f’kotba relatati mal-oqsma ta’ interess tiegħu.
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Some newspapers in Malta from 1798 to 1964
Since the invention of printing, the written word has printed abroad including in Britain, could, however, become one of the most powerful vehicles by which be imported, even that which concerned Malta. to influence and inform. Though at first the printing On the other hand, official press censorship made process was rather slow and tedious, yet with time it locally difficult for individuals to publish their techniques and technology gradually improved. The works. The Royal Commission of 1836 among its printed media began to reach more and more people recommendations advised in favour of the lifting of who in their turn disseminated the information they press censorship and thus the introduction of the had read among the less literate and the illiterate. liberty of the press. Education and legislation helped to consolidate the effects of the printed media and to regulate their The British authorities followed this suggestion and function. In Malta, the first printing press was that of by 1838 the first local newspapers appeared, typically Pompeo del Fiore of 1642. He was granted a licence in Italian as this was the language of communication by Grandmaster Lascaris. This printing press was the of those who had an education. Thus began to predecessor of the Government Printing Press. circulate Lo Spettatore Imparziale, whose editor was Can. Fortunato Panzavecchia and which appeared on After the Order of St John lost Malta to the French, 28 April 1838, and Il Portafoglio Maltese, created by the new rulers managed to publish some issues of the lawyer Paolo Sciortino and which was launched a the official newspaper calledJournal De Malte before month later. In the meantime on 2 January 1833 the the Maltese rose in a revolt against them. This epic Malta Government Gazette was renamed The Malta event for the Maltese island affected everyday life Government Gazette. and more so the printing of further number of the official newspaper. In 1800 the French were finally driven out of Malta and the islands passed over into the fold of the British Empire.
Ordinance No. IV of 1839 established the legality of book and press censorship. Around this time a number of newspapers appeared on the Maltese scene, including the short-lived The Harlequin (1838- 40) in English and which was superseded by The When the status of Malta gradually became clearer Malta Times, and Il Mediterraneo written mainly in and the British settled in to remain, the first printed Italian, which was introduced in 1838 and continued newspaper that appeared in the newly acquired to at least 1871. Two protagonists in the struggle colony was the officialGazzetta del Governo di Malta for the freedom of the press were Giorgio Mitrovich which was launched on 27 October 1813, and was and Camillo Sciberras. The local Church was, at first, written in Italian. With issue no.145 of 7 August afraid that this new liberty would lead to Protestants 1816, it changed its name to Malta Government taking advantage of the situation to preach their Gazette. In Malta only papers under government creed while also encouraging some to criticism the licence could then be printed at this time; one such Church’s authority and to compete with its authority newspaper being Il Cartaginese (1804-10). Material and supremacy among the Maltese people. Yet, when
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Some newspapers in Malta from 1798 to 1964 (Cont.)
censorship was abolished, the Church and other Savona edited the Malta Ghada Taghna, while Catholic organizations utilized this liberty extensively Manwel Dimech ran Il-Bandiera tal-Maltin. This to their advantage. latter newspaper was closed down in 1911 because Dimech’s ideas clashed with those of the established authorities.
In the 1920s the Progress Press was founded by Gerald Strickland and published the Maltese language Il-Progress (1921-32) and Il-Berqa (1930- 68) and the English language Times of Malta Weekly (1929, which changed its name to The Sunday Times in 1938) and the Times of Malta (1935- ). The Church The Maltese language was used, especially in the also launched its own paper, Leħen is-Sewwa, on 1 satirical newspapers. Such literature was very September 1928 managed by the Catholic Action. popular even when it was not in Maltese. Such This is the longest standing newspaper in Malta. The newspapers included Brighella and Bertoldu (late two main post-war political parties also had various 1830s), Giahan (mid-1840s), and Don Basilio (late newspapers to promote their ideas and programmes. 1860s). During the Italian Risorgimento (1830-70) several Italian exiles found refuge in Malta. They exerted a strong influence on Maltese journalism and boosted political agitation and mobilization among the local politically-conscious intellectuals. Reflecting a continuous Anglo-Italian clash in the colony that stretched for many years, newspapers were a powerful vehicle by which to put forward partisan virtues. While Il Mediterraneo, which was managed by Italian exiles in Malta, criticized the British rule of the colony, The Malta Times, which was edited by Englishmen, was all out in favour of The General Workers Union also had its paper which British and Protestant values and interests in the was entitled The Torch (later It-Torċa), and this colony. Such contrasting ideas and perspectives appeared for the first time in 1944. In due time the became even more pronounced from the 1880s. GWU began to publish L-Orizzont which appeared in 1962 and this gradually killed off Il-Berqa. One of the The Malta, in Italian, was the paper of the nationalists Malta Labour Party’s publications was Is-Sebħ which and was used to criticise the colonial government. was launched in 1949 and which was superseded On the other hand, the English-language Malta by Il-Ħelsien as from 1959. These newspapers were Chronicle & Imperial Services Gazette supported issued form the Labour Party’s Freedom Press. The imperialistic interests. Malta was first edited by Nationalist Party published the Patria which first Fortunato Mizzi and his brother Giuseppe, and appearing in 1922. It was stopped after some years then by Enrico Mizzi. The Malta Chronicle was the but then resumed its circulation from 1947. The property of Antonio Bartolo passed on to his sons other Party newspaper was Il-Poplu which was issued Joseph and Augustus Bartolo. Both papers continued between 1929 and 1939. It then began again in 1958. till the 1930s. Political newspapers began to appear more frequently in Maltese at the turn of the 20th The attainment of independence in 1964 amplified century. Il-Poplu Malti was the Nationalist-Mizzian the role to the Maltese press. The main political paper. Another prominent politician, Sigismondo parties made sure to have strong and effective
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Some newspapers in Malta from 1798 to 1964 (Cont.) newspapers by which to pass on their message and agenda. A number of independent newspapers also dominated the national arena and gradually increased their operations and their presence among the local readership. The online press also appeared and spread with the advent of the internet. Today Malta is a modern state with an efficient printed and electronic media.
Comm. Dr George Cassar is Senior Lecturer in the Institute for Tourism, Travel and Culture of the University of Malta. He is a historical sociologist and pedagogist with research interests in the History and Sociology of Education; the Pedagogy of Heritage, History and Social Studies; the Kanonku Fortunato Panzavecchia History of History Teaching; the Study of the Order of St John (SMOM); the History and Culture of Malta; Heritage and Culture; Cultural Tourism; and the Sociology of Food. He is the author or editor of books and academic journals, and has published numerous papers in journals and chapters in books related to his areas of interest.
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mill-PARLAMENT - Marzu 2016
L-uffiċċju nazzjonali tal-verifika -
l-għassies tal-fondi pubbliċi
‘Bħala organizzazzjoni awtonoma, indipendenti, darba oħra mill-Prof. Edward Warrington u l-Prof. professjonali u mhux politika, l-Organizzazzjoni Godfrey Pirotta, ħarġet f'Diċembru 2014, jipprovdi Internazzjonali tal-Istituzzjonijiet Supremi tal- perspettiva storika utli tal-iżviluppi prinċipali kollha Awditjar (INTOSAI), li matul l-2012 iċċelebrat li influwenzaw l-Uffiċċju matul dawn iż-żewġ sekli ta' is-60 Anniversarju tagħha, ippromwoviet awditjar statali f'Malta. il-governanza tajba billi ppermettiet lill- Istituzzjonijiet Supremi tal-Awditjar (SAIs) jgħinu F'dan ir-rigward, l-aktar kisba kruċjali matul l-istorja lill-gvernijiet rispettivi tagħhom sabiex itejbu tiegħu, bla dubju ta’ xejn, seħħet bl-emendi l-prestazzjoni, iżidu t-trasparenza, jassiguraw leġislattivi tal-1997, li emendaw il-Kostituzzjoni l-akkontabbiltà, iżommu l-kredibbiltà, jiġġieldu u ppromulgaw liġi ġdida, l-Att dwar l-Awditur l-korruzzjoni, jippromwovu l-fiduċja pubblika, Ġenerali u l-Uffiċċju Nazzjonali - tal Verifika, li u jipproteġu l-interessi taċ-ċittadini tagħhom’. stabbilixxa l-NAO fil-format preżenti tiegħu. Dawn l-emendi estremament importanti u estensivi kienu Dan il-preambolu għad-Dikjarazzjoni ta' Beijing, approvati mill-Parlament b'mod unanimu; huma datat Ottubru 2013, jiġbor fil-qosor il-missjoni u kellhom bħala l-għan prinċipali tagħhom iż-żieda u r-responsabbiltà estensiva ta' kull SAI. Ma jħalli l-ebda l-ħarsien tal-awtonomija sħiħa tal-NAO. F'termini dubju dwar ir-rwol kruċjali tal-Uffiċċju Nazzjonali prattiċi, fost affarijiet oħra, b’dawn l-emendi: tal-Verifika (NAO) Malti biex jassigura- lir riżorsi pubbliċi jintużaw dejjem bl-aħjar mod possibbli u (i) l-Awditur Ġenerali kif ukoll id-Deputat skont ir-regoli u r-regolamenti li jkun hemm fis-seħħ. Awditur Ġenerali ngħataw l-istatus preżenti tagħhom L-isfida kontinwa sabiex jiġu promossi kontinwament bħala uffiċjali tal-Kamra tar-Rappreżentanti, l-akkontabbiltà u t-trasparenza fl-operazzjonijiet tal- magħżula mill-Parlament b'vot ta' mhux anqas minn Gvern, u b'hekk jitnaqqsu l-ħela u l-abbuż filwaqt li żewġ terzi tal-Kamra; fl-istess ħin jiġu promossi każijiet tal-aqwa prattika f'termini ta' governanza tajba, inftiehmet tajjeb mil- (ii) l-NAO nfired kompletament mis-Servizz leġiżlatur Malti. Xhieda ċara ta’ dan huwa l-fatt li Pubbliku, u ma baqax jirrapporta lill-Ministru tal- l-awtonomija u l-indipendenza tal-Uffiċċju -fit twettiq Finanzi iżda direttament lill-Parlament; tal-mandat ta' verifika tiegħu huwa garantit mill- Kostituzzjoni nnifisha kif ukoll mill-Att dwar l-Awditur (iii) l-Awditur Ġenerali ngħata s-setgħa wkoll Ġenerali u l-Uffiċċju Nazzjonali tal-Verifika (Kap. 396). li jirrekluta l-istaff tiegħu u jiddetermina s-salarji u L-esperjenza għallmitna li mingħajr tali indipendenza, l-kundizzjonijiet tas-servizz tagħhom skont il-Ftehim fil-fatt ma jkun possibbli l-ebda skrutinju effettiv tal- Kollettiv, kif aġġornat minn żmien għall-ieħor. Filwaqt operazzjonijiet tal-gvern mill-ebda SAI. li fl-imgħoddi, bħala dipartiment tal-gvern, huwa kien jingaġġa l-impjegati tiegħu permezz tal-OPM, Bħala sfond storiku fil-qosor, sentejn ilu l-NAO illum il-ġurnata l-NAO jippubblika s-sejħiet għall- fakkar il-200 anniversarju mit-twaqqif ta' istituzzjoni applikazzjonijiet proprji tiegħu fil-Gazzetta tal-Gvern statali tal-verifika f'Malta. Fil-fatt, kien għall-ħabta u gazzetti oħra u jistabbilixxi liema kwalitajiet huma ta' Ottubru 1814, meta l-Gvernatur Ġenerali Ingliż, mistennija mill-impjegati tiegħu li jiġu maħtura wara Thomas Maitland, ħass il-ħtieġa li jitwaqqaf Uffiċċju proċess ta' għażla trasparenti u ġust; u tal-Verifika sabiex jindirizza diversi nuqqasijiet li kienu jeżistu fis-servizz pubbliku Malti ta' dak iż- (iv) l-Awditur Ġenerali ngħata mandat aktar ċar żmien. Dawn kienu jinkludu prattiċi kontabilistiċi sabiex iwettaq verifiki tal-“Valur għall-Flus” flimkien laxki, korruzzjoni, informazzjoni finanzjarja fqira, mar-rapporti ta' verifika finanzjarji u ta' konformità l-inkompetenza tal-uffiċjali u remunerazzjoni tas-soltu. inadegwata. Il-ktieb ‘Guardian of the Public Purse’ li t-tieni edizzjoni tiegħu, miktuba b'mod konġunt għal Ir-Rapporti kollha maħruġa mill-NAO jiġu ppreżentati
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mill-PARLAMENT - Marzu 2016
L-uffiċċju nazzjonali tal-verifika - l-għassies tal-fondi pubbliċi (Kont.) lill- Ispeaker tal-Kamra tad-Deputati, li miegħu g. Li jeżamina l-operazzjonijiet tal-kumpaniji l-Uffiċċju żviluppa relazzjonijiet ta' ħidma eċċellenti, li fihom il-Gvern ikollu mhux anqas minn 51% tal- sabiex jiġu ċċirkolati lill-Membri Parlamentari kollha ishma. fl-ewwel seduta skedata tal-Parlament. Xi wħud minn dawn ir-Rapporti jgħaddu minn proċess ta' skrutinju Minn dawn it-termini ta' referenza wieħed jista' ulterjuri mill-Kumitat tal-Kontijiet Pubbliċi (PAC) li jikkonkludi li r-rwol tal-PAC huwa sostnut minn huwa wieħed mill-aktar kumitati b'saħħithom tal- aċċettazzjoni ġenerali tal-valuri bażiċi assoċjati Kamra għaliex għalkemm il-Gvern għandu maġġoranza mal-governanza tajba u l-iskrutinju pubbliku: tal-membri, huwa presedut minn membru tal- l-ekonomija u l-effiċjenza; l-effikaċja; l-akkontabilità; Oppożizzjoni. Essenzjalment il-PAC isejjaħ biex jixhdu ir-responsabbiltà; anqas burokrazija; u t-trasparenza. lis-Segretarju Permanenti rispettiv, kif ukoll uffiċjali Għalhekk l-importanza fundamentali ta' dan il-Kumitat għolja oħra kif meħtieġ, u jiffoka b'mod partikolari Permanenti Parlamentari, kif sottolinjat aktar 'il fuq. fuq l-oqsma ta' tħassib kif ukoll l-implimentazzjoni tar-rakkomandazzjonijiet, jekk ikun hemm, Fl-opinjoni tagħna, hemm żewġ raġunijiet ewlenin identifikati f'dak- ir Rapport partikolari. L-NAO jkun għal-livell għoli ta' kredibilità u fiduċja li l-NAO preżenti matul il-laqgħat kollha tal-PAC prinċipalment rnexxielu jiżviluppa u jikkonsolida, b'mod partikolari biex joffri appoġġ eżekuttiv u biex iwieġeb għall- minn mindu ġie stabbilit fil-format preżenti permezz mistoqsijiet li kull membru tal-PAC jista’ jagħmel. tal-emendi leġiżlattivi msemmija aktar 'il fuq. L-ewwel fattur joħroġ preċiżament mill-indipendenza Interessanti wieħed jinnota li tlieta mis-seba' operattiva tal-NAO mill-partiti politiċi kollha u membri tal-PAC jistgħu jitolbu lill-Awditur kwalunkwe grupp ta' pressjoni ieħor - awtonomija Ġenerali sabiex jinvestiga u jirrapporta dwar li l-NAO jissalvagwardja b'żelu. Dan mhux biss kwistjoni partikolari relatata mal-finanzi tal-Gvern. minħabba l-fatt li l-prinċipju tal-awtonomija totali huwa minqux fil-Kostituzzjoni nnifisha, iżda saħansitra Is-setgħat tal-PAC joħorġu mill-Ordni Permanenti aktar minħabba li gvernijiet suċċessivi fir-realtà 120E u l-Att dwar l-Awditur Ġenerali u l-Uffiċċju rrispettaw b'mod sħiħ din il-kundizzjoni neċessarja li Nazzjonali tal-Verifika. -Is setgħat l-aktar importanti jkun hemm fis-seħħ istituzzjoni effettiva u rilevanti ta' tal-PAC jistgħu jiġu miġburin fil-qosor kif ġej: awditjar li twettaq il-mandat tagħha mingħajr indħil jew xkiel. Dan l-aspett kruċjali għal kull SAI huwa a. Li jinvestiga kwistjonijiet relatati mad- emfasizzat mid-Dikjarazzjonijiet ta' Lima (1977) u dikjarazzjoni finanzjarja tas-settur pubbliku, u l-Messiku (2007) maħruġa mill-INTOSAI. L-ewwel n-nefqa mill-Ministeri. Dikjarazzjoni tirreferi b'mod ċar għall-indipendenza b. Li jinvestiga - r rapporti tal-NAO u dokumenti tas-SAIs u l-membri tagħhom bħala wieħed mill- relatati ppreparati mill-Awditur Ġenerali. prinċipji fundamentali neċessarji tal-awditjar tas- c. Li jeżamina d-dikjarazzjonijiet finanzjarji tal- settur pubbliku, filwaqt lid-Dikjarazzjoni tal-aħħar entitajiet kollha tas-settur pubbliku. tittratta speċifikament preżentazzjoni tal-prinċipji d. Li jikkunsidra rapporti ta' memoranda mħejjija bażiċi tal-Indipendenza tas-SAIs, meqjusa bħala mill-Awditur Ġenerali fuq inizjattiva tiegħu stess jew rekwiżit essenzjali għal awditjar xieraq tas-settur fuq talba ta' mill-anqas tliet membri tal-PAC. pubbliku. Huwa biss b'dan il-mod li l-kredibilità tal- e. Li jinvestiga u jirrapporta dwar kwalunkwe NAO tista' tkompli tiġi mħarsa. Hawnhekk, l-NAO kwistjoni relatata ma' finanzi, proprjetà jew fondi jixtieq jesprimi l-apprezzament tiegħu lill-Ispeaker governattivi amministrati minn kwalunkwe entità tal-Kamra tad-Deputati li dejjem jagħti l-appoġġ tas-settur pubbliku. tiegħu għal dan il-kunċett importanti li fl-aħħar f. Li jeżamina l-kontijiet ta' dawk l-awtoritajiet mill-aħħar itejjeb il-livell tad-demokrazija f'Malta. pubbliċi li jkollhom jew jużaw fondi li jappartjenu direttament jew indirettament lill-Gvern ta' Malta. It-tieni fattur, li iżda daqstant ieħor huwa importanti,
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L-uffiċċju nazzjonali tal-verifika - l-għassies tal-fondi pubbliċi (Kont.)
huwa l-impenn u l-professjonaliżmu muri mill- tal-gvern f'ċerti pajjiżi. F'dan- ir rigward, jinħass li maniġment u l-istaff tal-imgħoddi u preżenti tal-NAO l-messaġġ li ħareġ waqt laqgħa riċenti tal-Programmi fit-twettiq tad-dmirijiet tagħhom – irrispettivament ta' Żvilupp tal-Maniġment appoġġati mill-AFROSAI minn jekk il-kompitu kienx verifika mibdija mill- huwa tabilħaqq ċar u b'saħħtu – ‘L-Istituzzjonijiet Uffiċċju jew investigazzjoni li kellha titwettaq fuq Supremi tal-Awditjar iridu jirripożizzjonaw ruħhom talba ta' terza parti. Fil-fatt, għalkemm l-awditjar fi u jaddattaw għall-aspettattivi ġodda tal-pubbliku ħdan ix-xenarju lokali kultant jippreżenta numru ta' biex jibqgħu rilevanti bħala l-kustodji tal-interess problemi u limitazzjonijiet – ħafna drabi relatati mad- pubbliku fin-nefqa tal-fondi pubbliċi’. Sabiex daqs relattivament żgħir tal-amministrazzjoni tagħna, jirnexxilhom jagħmlu dan b'suċċess, is-SAIs iridu u dak kollu li jmur miegħu – l-istaff tal-Uffiċċju, jkunu kapaċi jirrispondu għall-bidla fosthom, biex permezz tal-impenn u r-reżiljenza tiegħu, jirnexxilu nagħtu biss eżempju wieħed, permezz ta’ użu akbar jwettaq il-mandat tiegħu fl-aħjar interess ta' kull min tal-midja soċjali sabiex jikkomunikaw is-sejbiet u iħallas it-taxxa f’pajjiżna. Billi jirrikonoxxi li r-riżorsi r-rakkomandazzjonijiet tagħhom. Nemmnu b'qalbna umani kwalifikati, kompetenti u ddedikati tiegħu kollha li l-NAO għandu t-tmexxija u r-riżorsi umani huma l-aktar assi importanti u prezzjużi, l-Uffiċċju neċessarji sabiex jassigura r-rilevanza kontinwa tiegħu huwa impenjat li jagħti l-appoġġ sħiħ tiegħu, anki f'kuntest soċjali, ekonomiku u politiku li qiegħed b'mod finanzjarju, lil dawk il-membri kollha tal-istaff dejjem jinbidel. L-impenn lejn ir-rilevanza huwa li jkunu jridu javvanzaw aktar l-iżvilupp akkademiku aspett fundamentali sabiex ikun assigurat it-twettiq u professjonali tagħhom. Dan huwa speċifikat b'suċċess tal-mandat kostituzzjonali tal-Uffiċċju, li b'mod ċar fil-Politika tal-Iżvilupp Professjonali jippermetti skrutinju Parlamentari f'waqtu u oġġettiv, Kontinwu, inkorporata fil-Ftehim Kollettiv tal-NAO, il-ħarsien tal-interessi ta' dawk kollha li jħallsu li, fost inizjattivi oħra, jippromwovi l-parteċipazzjoni t-taxxi f’pajjiżna, u b'hekk jiġġustifika- d deskrizzjoni tal-istaff tiegħu f'diversi konferenzi, korsijiet jew tiegħu bħala ‘l-għassies tal-fondi pubbliċi’. avvenimenti ta' taħriġ interni relatati- max xogħol. Guardian of the Public Purse – A History of State Audit in Malta 1814-2014 minn Prof. Edward Warrington u Godfrey A. Pirotta Celebrating Two Centuries of Public Auditing in Malta – Mario Sant (The Sunday Bla dubju ta' xejn, waħda mill-aktar sfidi importanti Times, October 12, 2014) li jiffaċċja l-NAO hija li jassigura li l-Uffiċċju jibqa' Diversi dokumenti tal-INTOSAI http://www.nao.gov.mt rilevanti. Jekk il-verifiki u l-kompiti tiegħu ma jibqgħux rilevanti għall-Parlament, li lilu jirrapporta, u b'hekk jippermetti skrutinju parlamentari adegwat, u għal dawk kollha li jħallsu t-taxxi, li l-interessi tagħhom Is-Sur Charles Deguara, Awditur Ġenerali. huwa jfittex li jissalvagwardja, huwa żgur li ma Is-Sur Deguara daħal fis-servizz pubbliku jkunx f'pożizzjoni li jilħaq l-għanijiet sottolinjati fil- bħala Skrivan fid-Dipartiment tax- Xogħlijiet tal-Ilma f’Lulju 1977. Huwa kwotazzjoni fil-bidu ta’ dan l-artiklu. Essenzjalment, segwa kors full-time B.A. (Hons) Business dan jitlob li s-suġġetti magħżula għall-iskrutinju Management fl-Università ta’ Malta u wara li ggradwa, fl-1983, inħatar tassew ikunu dawk li jistgħu jtejbu l-operazzjonijiet tal- bħala Uffiċjal Amministrattiv fl-istess dipartiment. Fl-1990 is-Sur Deguara ġie entitajiet governattivi f'termini ta' effiċjenza, effikaċja appuntat Treasury Accounting Officer u u ekonomija u li għalhekk iwasslu sabiex jingħata fl-1992 huwa kien assenjat mal-Uffiċċju tal-Baġit fil-Ministeru tal-Finanzi, kariga servizz aħjar lill-klijenti, jiġifieri min iħallas- it taxxi. li huwa okkupa sa April 2001 meta nħatar Direttur (Uffiċċju tar-Reviżjoni) fil- Ministeru tal-Intern. F’Awwissu 2002 is-Sur Deguara nħatar Direttur Ġenerali L-isfida li wieħed jibqa' rilevanti għas-soċjetà li fiha fid-Diviżjoni tal-Artijiet u r-Reġistru Pubbliku u f’Mejju 2004 inħatar Segretarju Permanenti fil-Ministeru tal-Ġustizzja u l-Intern. jopera hija fil-fatt kwistjoni li jħabbat wiċċu magħha F’Novembru 2008, wara karriera ta’ aktar minn 31 sena fis-servizz pubbliku, mhux biss l-NAO iżda tista' tgħid is-SAIs kollha, is-Sur Deguara nħatar Deputat Awditur Ġenerali, ħatra li saret bis-saħħa ta’ riżoluzzjoni approvata unanimament mill-Kamra tad-Deputati. Huwa reġa’ kien b'mod partikolari meta wieħed iqis il-kuntest tal- ikkonfermat f’din il-kariga wara riżoluzzjoni approvata unanimament f’seduta kriżi finanzjarja u ekonomika riċenti, li kkawżat il- tal-Parlament f’Ġunju 2013. Is-Sur Charles Deguara nħatar Awditur Ġenerali f’Marzu 2016 b’riżoluzzjoni ħtieġa ta' kontroll jew tnaqqis urġenti tan-nefqa approvata unanimament mill-Kamra tad-Deputati.
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mill-PARLAMENT - Marzu 2016
L-uffiċċju nazzjonali tal-verifika - l-għassies tal-fondi pubbliċi (Kont.)
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NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE – THE GUARDIAN OF THE PUBLIC PURSE
‘As an autonomous, independent, professional an invaluable historical perspective of all major and non-political organisation, the International developments influencing the Office during these Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions two centuries of state auditing in Malta. (INTOSAI), which during 2012 celebrated its 60th Anniversary, has promoted good governance by In this regard, the most important critical milestone enabling Supreme Auditing Institutions (SAIs) to help throughout its history is undoubtedly the 1997 their respective governments improve performance, legislative amendments, which amended the enhance transparency, ensure accountability, Constitution and enacted a new law, the Auditor maintain credibility, fight corruption, promote public General and National Audit Office Act, which set trust, and protect the interests of their citizens’. up the NAO in its present format. These extremely important and far-reaching amendments were This preamble to the Beijing Declaration, dated approved by Parliament unanimously; they had October 2013, encapsulates the extensive mission as their main objective the enhancement and and responsibility of every SAI. It leaves no doubt safeguarding of the full autonomy of the NAO. In as to the critical role of the Maltese National Audit practical terms, by virtue of these amendments Office (NAO) in ensuring that public resources are amongst other things: invariably used in the best manner possible and in line with prevailing financial rules and regulations. (i) both the Auditor General as well as the The ongoing challenge to continuously promote Deputy Auditor General were given their present accountability and transparency across government’s status as officers of the House of Representatives, operations, thereby reducing waste and abuse while chosen by Parliament with not less than a two-thirds simultaneously seeking to promote cases of best vote; practice in terms of good governance, has been well understood by the Maltese legislator. This is clearly (ii) consequently, the NAO was rendered totally evidenced by the fact that the Office’s total autonomy separate from the Public Service, and no longer and independence in discharging its audit mandate is reported to the Finance Minister but directly to guaranteed by the Constitution itself as well as by the Parliament; Auditor General and National Audit Office Act (Cap. 396). Experience has taught us that without such (iii) the Auditor General was also given the power independence, no effective scrutiny of government’s to recruit his own staff and determine their salaries operations by any SAI is indeed possible. and conditions of service in line with the Collective Agreement, as updated from time to time. Whereas By way of brief historical background, two years in the past as a government department it engaged ago the NAO commemorated the 200th anniversary its staff through the OPM, nowadays the NAO issues since the setting up of a state audit institution in its own calls for applications in the Government Malta. Indeed, it was around October 1814, when Gazette and other newspapers and establishes what the British Governor General, Thomas Maitland, qualities are expected from its own employees who considered it necessary to establish an Audit Office are appointed after a transparent and fair selection to address various shortcomings prevailing within process; and the Maltese public service of the time. These included lax accounting practices, corruption, poor (iv) the Auditor General was given a clearer financial information, incompetence of officials and mandate to undertake “value for money” audits in inadequate remuneration. The book Guardian of the addition to the usual financial and compliance audit Public Purse whose second edition, co-authored once reports. again by Prof. Edward Warrington and Prof. Godfrey Pirotta, was issued in December 2014 provides All reports issued by the NAO are presented to
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AUDIT OFFICE – THE GUARDIAN OF THE PUBLIC PURSE (Cont.) the Speaker of the House of Representatives, with directly or indirectly to the Government of Malta. whom the Office has developed an excellent working relationship, to be circulated to all Members of g. To review the operations of companies in which Parliament at the first scheduled Parliamentary the Government owns not less than 51% of the shares. sitting. Some of these Reports undergo a further process of scrutiny by the Public Accounts Committee From these terms of reference one can conclude (PAC) which is one of the strongest committees of that the role of the PAC is underpinned by general the House because although the Government has a acceptance of the underlying values associated with majority of members, it is Chaired by a member of good governance and public scrutiny: economy the Opposition. Essentially the PAC calls to testify and efficiency; effectiveness; accountability; the respective Permanent Secretary, as well as other responsibility; less bureaucracy; and transparency. senior officials as needed, focusing especially on the Hence the fundamental importance of this areas of concern as well as the implementation of Parliamentary Standing Committee, as highlighted recommendations, if any, identified in that particular above. Report. The NAO is present throughout all PAC meetings mainly to offer executive support andto In our opinion, there are two main reasons for the answer enquiries raised by any PAC member. high level of credibility and trust that the NAO has managed to develop and consolidate, particularly It is interesting to note that three out of the seven since it was setup in its present format through the members of the PAC may request the Auditor General legislative amendments referred to above. The first to inquire into and report upon a particular matter factor stems precisely from the NAO’s operational related to government finances. independence from all political parties and any other pressure group - an autonomy which the The powers of the PAC emanate from Standing Order NAO zealously safeguards. This is due not simply 120E and the Auditor General and National Audit to the fact that the principle of total autonomy is Office Act. The more important powers of the PAC enshrined in the Constitution itself, but even more so may be summarised as follows: because successive governments have de facto fully respected this sine qua non condition to have in place a. To inquire into matters relating to public sector an effective and relevant auditing institution which financial statement, and expenditure by Ministries. could carry out its mandate without any interference or hindrance. This crucial aspect for every SAI is b. To examine NAO reports and related duly emphasised by the Lima (1977) and Mexico documents prepared by the Auditor General. (2007) Declarations issued by INTOSAI. The former Declaration clearly refers to the independence c. To examine the financial of SAIs and its members as one of the necessary statements of all public sector entities. founding principles of public sector auditing, while the latter deals specifically with a presentation of d. To consider memoranda reports prepared by the core principles of SAI Independence, considered the Auditor General either on his own initiative, or as an essential requirement for proper public sector upon the request of at least three members of the PAC. auditing. Only in this manner can the NAO’s credibility continue to be safeguarded. Here, the NAO would e. To inquire and report on any matters like to convey its appreciation to the Speaker of the relating to government finances, property or House of Representatives who invariably extends his funds administered by any public sector entity. support to this important concept which ultimately f. To examine the accounts of those public enhances the level of democracy in Malta. authorities holding or using funds belonging
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AUDIT OFFICE – THE GUARDIAN OF THE PUBLIC PURSE (Cont.)
The second factor, though equally important, is the the need of urgent containment or reduction of commitment and professionalism shown by past and Government expenditure in certain countries. In present NAO management and staff in the carrying this regard, it is felt that the message that emerged out of their duties – irrespective of whether the during a recent meeting of the Management assignment at hand was an audit initiated by the Development Programmes supported by AFROSAI is Office or an investigation that was to be carried out indeed loud and clear – ‘Supreme Audit Institutions on the request of a third party. Indeed, although must reposition themselves and adapt to new public auditing within the local scenario does on occasion expectations to remain relevant as the custodians of present its fair share of problems and constraints – public interest in the expenditure of public funds’. very often relating to the relatively small size of our To manage to do this successfully, SAIs need to be administration, and all that goes with it – the Office’s fully responsive to change such as, to give just one staff, through their commitment and resilience, example, through the enhanced use of social media to manage to execute their mandate in the best interest communicate their findings and recommendations. of the Maltese taxpayer. Acknowledging that its We strongly believe that the NAO possesses the qualified, competent and dedicated human resources necessary leadership and human resources to ensure constitute its most important and valuable asset, the its sustained relevance to an ever-changing social, Office is committed to extend its full support, even economic and political context. The commitment financially, to all those staff who seek to further towards relevance is a critical aspect in ensuring the their academic and professional development. This successful performance of the Office’s constitutional is clearly specified in the Continuous Professional mandate, thereby enabling timely and objective Development Policy, incorporated in the NAO Parliamentary scrutiny, the safeguarding of the Collective Agreement, which, among other initiatives, Maltese taxpayer’s interests, and therefore justifying promotes the participation of its staff at various work- its description as the ‘guardian of the public purse’. related conferences, courses or in-house training References Guardian of the Public Purse – A History of State Audit in Malta 1814- events. 2014 by Prof. Edward Warrington and Prof.Godfrey A. Pirotta Celebrating Two Centuries of Public Auditing in Malta – Mario Sant (The Sunday Times, October 12, 2014) Undoubtedly, one of the most important challenges Various INTOSAI documents http://www.nao.gov.mt that the NAO faces is ensuring that the Office remains relevant. Unless its audits and assignments remain relevant to Parliament, to whom it reports, thereby
enabling adequate parliamentary scrutiny, and to Mr Charles Deguara, Auditor General. the taxpayer, whose interests it seeks to safeguard, Mr Deguara joined the Public Service as a Clerk at the Water Works Department it surely would not be in a position to meet the in July 1977. He followed a full-time B.A. (Hons) Business Management course at objectives highlighted in this article’s opening quote. the University of Malta and following his graduation in 1983, he was appointed as Fundamentally, this necessitates that the subjects an Administrative Officer within the same department. chosen for scrutiny are indeed ones which could In 1990 Mr Deguara was appointed as improve the operations of government entities Treasury Accounting Officer and in 1992 he took up a new assignment at the Budget in terms of efficiency, effectiveness and economy Office within the Ministry of Finance where he remained until April 2001 when he was and which therefore result in an enhanced service appointed as Director (Office of Review) within the Ministry for Home Affairs. In delivery to their clients, that is the taxpayer. August 2002 Mr Deguara was appointed as Director General at the Land and Public Registry Division. In May 2004 he was appointed as Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for The challenge of remaining relevant to the society Justice and Home Affairs. In November 2008, after a career of more than 31 years within the within which one operates is indeed an issue that is public service, he was, by a unanimous House of Representatives resolution, appointed as Deputy Auditor General. He was re-confirmed faced not only by the NAO but by practically all SAI’s, in this position following Parliamentary approval at a sitting held in June 2013. particularly when one considers the context of the Mr Deguara was appointed Auditor General in March 2016 by a recent financial and economic crisis, which triggered unanimously approved resolution of the House of Representatives.
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AUDIT OFFICE – THE GUARDIAN OF THE PUBLIC PURSE (Cont.)
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Attivitajiet tal‑Parlament
L-Ispeaker jindirizza Ex Membri Parlamentari u Ġurnalisti
“Id-demokrazija tibqa’ ħajja kemm-il darba l-ġurnalisti jibqgħu jirrappurtaw b’serenità u onestà dak li jiġri f’kull ħin, partikolarment fil-Kamra tad-Deputati,” saħaq l-Ispeaker Anġlu Farrugia fl-indirizz tiegħu lill-ex Membri Parlamentari u ġurnalisti nhar il-5 ta’ Jannar. L-Ispeaker kompla billi qal li r-rwol tal-ġurnalist huwa importanti, aktar u aktar meta jiġi rrapportat ix-xogħol tal-Kamra, għaliex il-poplu jagħmel ġudizzju fuq dak li jiġi mwassal lilu. Huwa tenna li hemm bżonn li l-Istitut tal-Ġurnalisti Maltin, flimkien -mal Parlament Malti, jiddiskuti l-etika ġurnalistika u dik tal-politiċi, biex l-informazzjoni rrappurtata tkun dejjem waħda korretta. L-Ispeaker irringrazzja lill-ex Membri Parlamentari tax-xogħol li għamlu fil-Parlament u awgura lill-ex Membru Parlamentari Lino Debono għall-kandidatura tiegħu għall-kariga ta’ President tal-ex Membri Parlamentari tal- Kunsill tal-Unjoni Ewropea.
Ġirja għall-Paċi Sri Chinmoy u l-Fjamma tal-Paċi tal-Baden Powell Scouts
F’Jannar, il-Parlament laqa’ żewġ attivitajiet li jippromwovu l-paċi. Meta ltaqa’ mal-atleti li pparteċipaw fis- Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run 2016, l-Ispeaker Anġlu Farrugia tkellem dwar l-importanza li l-paċi u d-djalogu bejn ċiviltajiet fuq livelli governattivi u non-governattivi jkollhom is-sostenn neċessarju. Huwa żied li l-appuntament annwali ta’ Sri Chinmoy sabiex jippromwovu l-paċi fuq livell internazzjonali jipprovdi eżempju perfett ta’ dan. L-Ispeaker Farrugia, l-Onor. Chris Agius, Segretarju Parlamentari għar-Riċerka u Innovazzjoni, Żgħażagħ u Sport, u l-Onor. Frederick Azzopardi, Assistent Whip tal-Oppożizzjoni żammew flimkien it-torċa tal-Ġirja għall-Paċi bħala simbolu ta’ unità politika u nazzjonali. F’okkażjoni separata, l-Ispeaker Farrugia ltaqa’ mal-Baden Powell Scouts u rċieva l-Fjamma tal-Paċi. Huwa esprima l-fehma li din il-fjamma tissimbolizza l-paċi, l-imħabba u l-ġustizzja u qal illi għandna niżguraw li din il-fjamma tixgħel f’qalbna jekk verament irridu niksbu dak li nemmnu fih. Għal din l-attività kienu preżenti wkoll il-Whip tal-Gvern l-Onor. Godfrey Farrugia kif ukoll l-Assistent Whip tal-Oppożizzjoni l-Onor. Frederick Azzopardi.
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Parliamentary Activities
Sri Chinmoy Peace Run and the Baden Powell Scouts Peace Flame
During January Parliament hosted two activities promoting peace. When meeting athletes participating in the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run 2016 Speaker Anġlu Farrugia spoke on the importance of sustaining peace and dialogue among civilisations at governmental and non-governmental level, with the yearly Sri Chinmoy appointment of promoting peace on the international stage providing the perfect example. Speaker Farrugia, together with Hon. Chris Agius, Parliamentary Secretary for Research, Innovation, Youth and Sport, and Hon. Frederick Azzopardi, Deputy Whip for the Opposition held the Peace Run torch as a symbol of political and national unity. The Peace Blossom Nation initiative was bestowed for the first time to the Maltese Islands in 1998. On the occasion of receiving the Baden Powell Scouts Peace Flame, Speaker Farrugia stated that this flame symbolises the values of peace, love and righteousness. “We should ensure that this flame is lit in our hearts if we really believe that we are willing to achieve what we believe in,” said Speaker Farrugia. Also present for this activity were Government Whip Hon. Godfrey Farrugia and Hon. Frederick Azzopardi, Assistant Opposition Whip.
Speaker addresses Former Members of Parliament and Journalists
“Democracy remains alive if journalists maintain a serene and honest approach towards reporting when publishing real time articles, particularly in the House of Representatives.” This was stated bySpeaker Anġlu Farrugia in his address to former members of Parliament and journalists on 5 January. The Speaker emphasised the importance of the role of journalists, especially when reporting parliamentary business, as the people judge on what is being delivered to them. He called for closer collaboration between the Institute of Maltese Journalists and the Maltese House of Representatives to discuss ethical standards.The Speaker also thanked the former Members of Parliament for the invaluable work they performed, and congratulated former Member Lino Debono for his candidature for the role of President of former Members of Parliament of the Council of Europe.
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Attivitajiet tal‑Parlament (Kont.)
Preżentazzjoni lill-Ispeaker ta’ stħarriġ dwar l-għarfien tal-Kostituzzjoni Maltija
Fil-25 ta’ Jannar l-Ispeaker Anġlu Farrugia ġie ppreżentat b’rapport dwar l-għarfien tal-Kostituzzjoni ta’ pajjiżna, wara stħarriġ magħmul mill-Kumitat għall-Għarfien tal-Kostituzzjoni. F’diskors tal-okkażjoni, l-Ispeaker Farrugia qal li l-iskop tal-ħidma ta’ dan il-Kumitat hu sabiex titqajjem kuxjenza dwar il-Kostituzzjoni ta’ Malta fiċ-ċittadini Maltin u proprju l-istudju nnifsu juri x-xogħol u l-impenn ta’ dan il-kumitat. L-istudju, li sar bejn Ġunju u Awwissu tal-2015 fost 717 il-persuna bejn l-età ta’ 18 u 75 sena, juri li 21% tal-popolazzjoni ma jafux jekk Malta għandhiex kostituzzjoni, filwaqt li 4% tal-Maltin jaħsbu li Malta m’għandhiex kostituzzjoni. Preżenti għal-laqgħa kien hemm il-membri tal-Kumitat għall-Għarfien tal-Kostituzzjoni Maltija mmexxija miċ- Chairman, l-Avukat Franco Debono. Il-kumitat faħħar il-ħidma attiva li qed issir mill-Ispeaker, speċjalment f’dak li jirrigwarda l-ħidma għall-awtonomija tal-Parlament li se tkun tista tissejjaħ rivoluzzjoni Kostituzzjonali.
Żjara mill-Membri tal-Malta Model United Nations Society (MUN)
Nhar id-29 ta’ Jannar, l-Ispeaker Anġlu Farrugia kellu żjara ta’ kortesija mill-President tas-Soċjetà tal-Malta Model United Nations Society, is-Sur Warren Ciantar, li ppreżenta wkoll lill-Ispeaker ġabra ta’ riżoluzzjonijiet li ħarġu mill-Ewwel Konferenza tal-Malta MUN. Il-konferenza u l-workshops inżammu fil-Parlament bejn it-18 u t-22 ta’ Settembru 2015. L-Ispeaker irringrazzja lis-Sur Ciantar u lil dawk li taw appoġġ lis-Soċjetà tal-Malta MUN li taħdem sabiex tippromwovi u tistimula l-kontinwità tal-programmi edukattivi ta’ kwalità li jiffurmaw il-mexxejja internazzjonali tal-ġenerazzjonijiet li ġejjin. L-Ispeaker Farrugia rrefera għal partijiet mill-indirizz tiegħu f’Settembru 2015 lill-Kamra tal-Kummerċ, fejn saħaq li n-Nazzjonijiet Magħquda, bħala organizzazzjoni globali transkonfinali hija bbażata fuq erba’ pilastri: li tiġi stabbilita l-paċi madwar id-dinja; l-iżvilupp ta’ relazzjonijiet fost in-nazzjonijiet; l-assistenza lil popli fil-bżonn, u l-promozzjoni tar-rispett tad drittijiet u l-libertajiet ta’ xulxin. L-Ispeaker Farrugia tenna li hu ser jippreżenta l-istess rapport lill-Membri Parlamentari, mhux biss għall-informazzjoni personali tagħhom, iżda sabiex l-istess Membri jkollhom aċċess għall-veduti taż-żgħażagħ fuq kwistjonijiet urġenti li bħala leġiżlaturi u bħala dawk li għandhom is-setgħa li jistabbilixxu l-politika ta’ pajjiżna, spiss ikollhom jiddeliberaw u jiddeċiedu dwarhom
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Parliamentary Activities ( Cont.)
Visit by the members of the Malta Model United Nations Society (MUN)
On the 29 January Speaker Anġlu Farrugia received a courtesy visit by the President of the Malta Model United Nations Society, Mr Warren Ciantar, who presented him with the resolutions emanating from the First Edition of the International Malta MUN Conference. The conference and workshops had been held at the House of Representatives between the 18 and 20 September 2015. Speaker Farrugia thanked Mr Ciantar and those supporting the Malta MUN Society that endeavours to promote and stimulate the continuation of quality educational programmes bringing together the next generation of international leaders. Speaker Farrugia recalled parts from his address on September 2015 to the Malta Chamber of Commerce, where he stated that the UN, as a global organisation which transcends national boundaries, is based on four main pillars: the establishment of peace throughout the world; the developing of friendly relations among nations; providing assistance to deprived populations, and the promotion of respect of each other’s rights and freedom. Speaker Farrugia stated that he is committed to forward the resolutions to the Maltese MPs not only for information purposes, but also for the Honourable Members to have access to the feedback received from young people on some of the most pressing issues they are often called upon to deliberate and take legislative decisions as Maltese legislators and policy setters.
Report on the Awareness of the Constitution among the Maltese
On 25 January Speaker Anġlu Farrugia was presented with the report of a study performed by the Constitutional Awareness Committee of Malta. Speaking on this occasion, Speaker Farrugia stated that the scope of this Committee is to raise awareness about the Constitution of Malta in all Maltese citizens and that the study itself was the result of the hard work and commitment of the Committee. The study, conducted between July and August of 2015 among 717 persons of the ages between 18 and 75 years, shows that 21% of the population do not have enough knowledge about whether Malta has a constitution, while 4% of the Maltese think that Malta does not have a constitution. Present for the meeting were Members of the Constitutional Awareness Committee led by Chairman, Dr Franco Debono. The Committee lauded the Speaker’s active participation, especially in the journey towards the attainment of autonomy of the Maltese Parliament which will constitute what one could call a Constitutional Revolution.
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Attivitajiet tal‑Parlament (Kont.)
Memorandum of Understanding bejn il-CAPAC u l-Parlament Malti
Fit-2 ta’ Frar ġie ffirmat ftehim bejn il-Commonwealth Association of Public Accounts Committees (CAPAC) u l-Parlament ta’ Malta, li permezz tiegħu Malta ser tkun qed tospita -s segretarjat amministrattiv tal-CAPAC. Dan il-ftehim huwa l-kontribuzzjoni konkreta li l-Parlament Malti qed jagħti lil din l-organizzazzjoni. L-Onor. Tonio Fenech, Chairman tal-CAPAC irringrazzja lill-Ispeaker u lill-Uffiċċju tiegħu għall-appoġġ li dejjem urew għal din l-inizjattiva. Din- l Assoċjazzjoni ntlaqgħet tajjeb waqt il-Laqgħa tal-Kapijiet tal-Pajjiżi tal- Commonwealth li saret f’Malta f’Novembru li għadda. L-għan ewlieni tal-CAPAC huwa li jkompli jenfasizza li sorveljanza Parlamentari b’saħħitha u indipendenti, permezz ta’ Kumitati tal-Kontijiet Pubbliċi li jkunu effettivi, indipendenti u trasparenti, għandha rwol importanti sabiex tinżammil-fiduċja taċ-ċittadin fl- integrità tal-gvernijiet. Sal-lum, CAPAC tirrappreżenta 24 pajjiż minn 55 pajjiż membru tal-Commonwealth. Fid-diskors tiegħu, l-Onor. Fenech, li kien elett Chairman tal-Kumitat Eżekuttiv, tenna li l-pjan tax-xogħol għas-sentejn li ġejjin huwa wieħed ambizzjuż, għaliex, apparti l-għan li għandu li titwessa’ s-sħubija tal- CAPAC, il-kumitat diġà beda ħidma sabiex jiġu stabbiliti standards komuni li jgħinu lill-Kumitati tal-Kontijiet Pubbliċi jakkwistaw livell tajjeb ta’ effettività, indipendenza u trasparenza. L-Ispeaker qal li huwa kunfidenti li l-Parlament Malti ser jaqdi bl-aħjar mod din ir-responsabbiltà li qed tiġi mgħoddija lilu u jemmen li għandha tkun opportunità eċċellenti għall-istaff tal-Parlament Malti biex jikseb dimensjoni aktar internazzjonali fil- ħidma tiegħu. L-Ispeaker Farrugia għalaq billi rringrazzja liċ-Chairman u l-Kumitat Eżekuttiv tal-CAPAC għall- ħidma tagħhom u għall-fiduċja li huma wrew fil-Parlament Malti. Il-Parlament Malti ser ikun qed jospita dan is-segretarjat għat-tliet snin li ġejjin, liema ftehim jista’ jiġġedded. L-uffiċċji amministrattivi tal-CAPAC ser ikunu fil-Parlament Malti u se jitmexxa minn żewġ membri tal-istaff parlamentari bl-ispejjeż relatati koperti mill-istess Parlament. Dan se jkun qed isir b’turija ta’ appoġġ għal din l-organizzazzjoni internazzjonali.
Żjara ta’ kortesija mid-Direttur Ġenerali tal-Uffiċċju Nazzjonali tal-Istatistika
Fil-5 ta’ Frar l-Ispeaker Anġlu Farrugia rċieva żjara ta’ kortesija mis-Sur Reuben Fenech, Direttur Ġenerali tal- Uffiċċju tal-Istatistika. Matul il-laqgħa ġie diskuss kif l-uffiċċju tal-Istatistika jista’ jaħdem aktar mill-qrib mal- ogħla istituzzjoni tal-pajjiż, il-Parlament ta’ Malta
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Parliamentary Activities (Cont.)
Courtesy call from the Director of the National Statistics Office
On 5 February Mr Reuben Fenech, Director General of the National Statistics Office, paid a courtesy visit on Speaker Anġlu Farrugia. During the visit discussions were held on how the NSO can work more closely with the House of Representatives, the highest institution of the country.
Memorandum of Understanding between CAPAC and the Maltese Parliament
On 2 February a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Commonwealth Association of Public Accounts Committees (CAPAC) and the Parliament of Malta, on the hosting of the Secretariat of CAPAC. This memorandum sets down the concrete contribution of the Maltese Parliament to this organisation. Hon. Tonio Fenech, Chairman of CAPAC, thanked the Speaker and his Office for the support that they have always shown for this initiative. This Association was also well received during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in Malta last November. The main aim of CAPAC is to further reaffirm that strong and independent Parliamentary oversight, through Public Accounts Committees that are effective, independent and transparent, plays an important role in preserving the trust of citizens in the integrity of government. To date, CAPAC represents 24 countries out of 55 Commonwealth Countries. In his speech, Hon. Fenech, who was elected Chairman of the Executive Committee, stated that the work plan for the two years ahead is an ambitious one, as, apart from aiming to widen the membership of CAPAC, the Committee has already started work to establish common standards to help Public Accounts Committees achieve a sound level of effectiveness, independence and transparency. Speaker Farrugia said that he is confident that the Maltese Parliament will fulfil this new responsibility and that this could be an enriching experience for Parliament staff. He thanked the Chairman and the Executive Committee of CAPAC for their work and for entrusting this task in the hands of the Maltese Parliament. The Maltese Parliament will be hosting the CAPAC Secretariat for a term of three years, a period that may be renewed. The administrative offices of CAPAC will be within the Maltese Parliament, which will be also offering support to this international organisation through the secondment of two staff members.
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Attivitajiet tal‑Parlament (Kont.)
L-Amministrazzjoni tal-Parlament timplimenta miżura oħra favur l-Ambjent
Fil-11 ta’ Frar l-Ispeaker Anġlu Farrugia nieda miżura oħra favur l-ambjent bis-saħħa tal-akkwist ta’ żewġ roti tal-elettriku għall-użu tal-uffiċċju. Dan il-mezz ta’ trasport għall-qadi tal-bżonnijiet tal-uffiċċju fil-viċinanzi tal-Belt se jkun qed jissupplimenta l-użu tal-vettura elettrika li ġiet mgħoddija lill-Parlament bħala parti mill- proġett LIFE10 ENV/MT/88 ikkofinanzjat mill-programm LIFE+ tal-Unjoni Ewropea flimkien ma’ taħriġ fl-użu tal-istess vettura. Din l-inizjattiva se tkun qed tikkumplimenta wkoll- it tħaddim ta’ teknoloġija infrastrutturali fil-binja tal-Parlament li tgħin biex kemm jista’ jkun jonqos il-konsum tal-enerġija meħtieġa biex jiġu pprovduti numru ta’ servizzi. Dan jagħmel lil din l-istess binja waħda mill-aktar binjiet eco-friendly li għandu pajjiżna. F’diskors qasir tal-okkażjoni, l-Ispeaker Farrugia qal li jittama li kemm jista’ jkun isir użu minn dan il-mezz ta’ trasport li jista’ jissarraf f’benefiċċju kemm ambjentali kif ukoll għas-saħħa tal-ħaddiema għaliex iservi ta’ eżerċizzju fiżiku.
Programm Edukattiv Mużikali u Kunċert fil-Kamra tad-Deputati
Fit-22 ta’ Frar l-Ispeaker tal-Kamra tad-Deputati, l-Onor. Anġlu Farrugia, laqa’ grupp ta’ mużiċisti li pparteċipaw fit-tnedija tal-Programm Mużikali Edukattiv organizzat mill-Orkestra Filarmonika ta’ Malta. Fid-diskors tiegħu, l-Ispeaker Farrugia qal li l-għan tal-programm huwa li jħeġġeġ lill-mużiċisti żgħażagħ u lill-udjenzi, filwaqt li jimlihom bl-enerġija u d-drama li taf tipprovdi l-mużika klassika. Il-Programm Mużikali Edukattiv li ttella’ fil-Parlament fuq perjodu ta’ tlett ijiem, ġie fi tmiemu bi prestazzjoni finalifil-Kamra tad-Deputati nhar l-24 ta’ Frar. Il-programm kien immexxi minn Dr Tony Harris, Kap tad-Dipartiment tal- Edukazzjoni f’Nottingham Trent University us-Sur Barry Russell, mużiċist rinomat. Il-mużiċisti li ħadu sehem fil-kunċert kienu jinkludu membri tal-Orkestra taż-Żgħażagħ ta’ Malta, studenti tal-iskola tal-mużika Johann Strauss u mużiċisti minn baned lokali. Għal dan l-avveniment kienu preżenti wkoll il-Membru Parlamentari tal-Gvern l-Onor. Anthony Agius Decelis u l-Whip tal-Oppożizzjoni l-Onor. David Agius. Il- President tal-Orkestra Filarmonika, is-Sur Sigmund Mifsud, indirizza wkoll it-tnedija tal-avveniment.
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Parliamentary Activities (Cont.)
Music Educational Programme and concert in the Parliament Chamber
On 22 February the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Anġlu Farrugia, welcomed a group of musicians that participated in the launch of the “Music Educational Programme” organised by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra. In his address, Speaker Farrugia stated that the aim of the programme is to enlighten and empower young musicians and audiences, and engage them with both the energy and drama that classical music provides. The three-day Music Educational Programme held in Parliament came to a conclusion with a final performance in the Chamber of the House of Representatives on 24 February. The programme was led by Dr Tony Harris, Head of Department of Education in Nottingham Trent University and Mr Barry Russell, a renowned musician. The musicians who took part in the concert included members of the Malta Youth Orchestra, students of the Johann Strauss music school and local band players. Also present for this event were Government MP Hon. Anthony Agius Decelis and Opposition Whip Hon. David Agius. The launch of the event was also addressed by the Chairman of the Philharmonic Orchestra, Mr Sigmund Mifsud.
Environmentally Friendly measures at the House of Representatives
On 11 February Speaker Anġlu Farrugia launched another environmentally friendly measure through the acquisition of two electric bicycles for office use. This means of transport that can be used for office errands in the vicinity of Valletta will be complementing the use of the electric vehicle which was donated to Parliament as part of the project “LIFE10 ENV/MT/88” co-financed by the LIFE+ instrument of the European Union together with training provided for the use of the same vehicle. This initiative will also be complementing the infrastructural technology in the Parliament building aimed at decreasing energy consumption, making it one of the most eco-friendly buildings on the island. In a brief address, Speaker Farrugia stated that the utilisation of this means of transport could be beneficial both to the environment as well as staff members’ health. He encouraged those present to take up these initiatives for the sake of preserving the environment, thus minimising the environment challenges within our society.
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Attivitajiet tal‑Parlament (Kont.)
Ġurnata ddedikata lill-Commonwealth 2016
Il-ġurnata ddedikata lill-Commonwealth tiġi ċċelebrata kull sena nhar it-tieni Tnejn ta’ Marzu. Din hija opportunità sabiex il-pajjiżi tal-Commonwealth u l-individwi, komunitajiet u organizzazzjonijiet li jiffurmaw parti minnha jippromwovu l-valuri komuni tal-paċi, demokrazija u ugwaljanza, u tiġi ċċelebrata d-diversità fl-Assoċjazzjoni nfisha. Kull sena tiġi magħżula tema għall-ġurnata ddedikata lill-Commonwealth. It- tema sservi ta’ gwida għall-pajjiżi membri u organizzazzjonijiet tal-Commonwealth sabiex jippjanaw l-attivitajiet tagħhom matul is-sena. F’kull ġurnata ddedikata lill- Commonwealth, il-pajjiżi membri jġeddu l-impenn għat-tolleranza, rispett u ugwaljanza u sabiex isostnu l-prinċipji fundamentali tad-demokrazija, id-drittijiet umani,- l istat tad-dritt u l-iżvilupp soċjoekonomiku sostenibbli. Din is-sena, tlieta u ħamsin pajjiż ingħaqdu sabiex jikkommemoraw il-ġurnata ddedikata lill-Commonwealth, li ġiet iċċelebrata fl-14 ta’ Marzu, bit-tema “Commonwealth Inklużiva”. It-tema magħżula din is-sena għandha l-għan li taċċenna l-valuri tat-tolleranza, ir-rispett u -l fehim li wkoll joħorġu mill-Karta tal-Commonwealth. Fost l-attivitajiet li ġew organizzati madwar id-dinja, sar servizz inter-reliġjuż f’Westminster Abbey li għalih attendew eluf ta’ mistednin mid-dinja kollha. Il-Commonwealth tagħraf li kull persuna hi differenti, u kulħadd għandu xi ħaġa unika x’joffri; għalhekk it-tema magħżula għal din is-sena tiċċelebra d-diversità taż-żewġ biljun persuni li jgħixu fil-pajjiżi tal-Commonwealth u ntgħażlet bl-għan li tinbena dinja aħjar li tkun tinkludi u tirrispetta lil kulħadd u tapprezza l-kwalitajiet ta’ kull personalità. It-tema ta’ din is-sena kienet konformi mal-Karta tal-Commonwealth li tgħid li kulħadd huwa ugwali u għandu jiġi ttrattat b’mod ġust, sew jekk huwa sinjur u sew jekk hu fqir, mingħajr distinzjoni bejn razza, età, ġeneru, twemmin jew identità oħra. Meta tnediet it-tema għal din is-sena, is-Segretarju Ġenerali Kamalesh Sharma qal: “Commonwealth Inklużiva tirreferi għall-valuri ta’ tolleranza, rispett u għarfien, kif ukoll ekwità u ġustizzja, kif espressi fil-Karta tal-Commonwealth, kif ukoll il-valur tal-Commonwealth bħala familja ta’ nazzjonijiet li fiha kull pajjiż membru huwa meqjus b’mod ekwu u b’vuċi ndaqs. Fi żmenijiet li qed jinbidlu, il-bżonn li l-Commonwealth taħdem bħala netwerk inklużiv għall-appoġġ reċiproku, l-iżvilupp u t-tkabbir ta’ opportunitajiet u drittijiet għal kulħadd huwa kbir daqs qatt qabel. Malta ngħaqdet mal-Commonwealth 52 sena ilu. Din is-sena, l-Ispeaker tal-Kamra tad-Deputati ospita u ppreseda seduta speċjali sabiex tiġi ċċelebrata din il-ġurnata billi stieden żgħażagħ minn diversi oqsma sabiex jiddjalogaw mar-rappreżentanti li ħadu sehem fil-fora taċ-CHOGM 2015, ċjoè l-Business Forum, il-Peoples’ Forum, il- Women’s Forum u l-Youth Forum; kif ukoll rapreżentanti mill-Ministeru għall-Affarijiet Barranin, u Membri Parlamentari li huma attivi fl-Assoċjazzjoni Parlamentari tal- Commonwealth. L-għan ta’ din is-seduta kien li jippromwovi l-għarfien taż-żgħażagħ dwar kwistjonijiet globali, il-koperazzjoni internazzjonali u x-xogħol li tagħmel il- Commonwealth sabiex ittejjeb il-ħajja taċ-ċittadini tagħha. Wara l-preżentazzjonijiet kien hemm sessjoni ta’ mistoqsijiet u tweġibiet, li tat opportunità lil dawn iż-żgħażagħ jaqsmu l-perspettivi tagħhom mal-kelliema dwar il-Commonwealth u l-kwistjonijiet li tiffaċċja fil-kuntest ta’ Commonwealth kontemporanja u t-tema magħżula.
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Act XXII of 1924 and Education Parliamentary in Malta ninety Activities years (Cont.)ago
Commonwealth Day 2016
Commonwealth Day is celebrated annually on the second Monday in March. It is an opportunity for individuals, communities and organisations to promote shared Commonwealth values of peace, democracy and equality, and to celebrate the Association’s rich diversity. Each year a theme is chosen for Commonwealth Day. The theme helps to guide members’ activities and those of Commonwealth organisations throughout the year. On each Commonwealth Day, members renew their commitment to its shared values of tolerance, respect, and equality and to uphold its fundamental principles of democracy, human rights, the rule of law and sustainable socio-economic development. This year fifty-three countries came together to celebrate Commonwealth Day 2016 on 14 March, with the theme ‘An Inclusive Commonwealth’. This year’s theme intended to highlight the Commonwealth Charter values of tolerance, respect and understanding. Among the many activities and events taking place globally, amulti-faith service at Westminster Abbey welcomed thousands of guests from around the world. The Commonwealth recognises that every person is different, and each has something unique to offer; this year’s theme thus celebrated the diversity of the two billion people of the Commonwealth, and aimed to build a better world by including and respecting everybody and the richness of their personalities. This year’s theme was also consonant with the Commonwealth Charter which asserts that everyone is equal and deserves to be treated fairly, whether they are rich or poor, without regard to their race, age, gender, belief or other identity. When launching the theme for this year, Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma said: “An Inclusive Commonwealth refers to the values of tolerance, respect and understanding, as well as equity and fairness, set out in the Commonwealth Charter, and the richness of the Commonwealth as a family of nations in which each member state is valued equally and has an equal voice. In changing times, the need for the Commonwealth to act as an inclusive network for mutual support, development and growth of opportunity and rights for all is as great as ever. It is 52 years since Malta joined the Commonwealth. This year the Speaker of the House of Representatives hosted and chaired a special sitting to mark this celebration by inviting young people from all walks of life to a dialogue between the representatives of the 2015 CHOGM fora, namely the Business Forum, the Peoples’ Forum, the Women’s Forum and the Youth Forum, and also representatives from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Members of Parliament actively involved in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. The aim of this session was to promote the understanding of young people on global issues, international co-operation and the work of the Commonwealth to improve the lives of its citizens. A question and answer session followed the presentations which provided an opportunity for these young people to share their perspectives with the presenters on the Commonwealth and its issues in the context of a contemporary Commonwealth and the theme chosen.
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Attivitajiet tal‑Parlament (Kont.)
Inawgurazzjoni tal-Wirja fotografika:Women Refugees and Asylum Seekers
Fl-4 ta’ Marzu, l-Ispeaker Anġlu Farrugia u Juana Lahousse-Juarez, Direttur Ġenerali għall-Komunikazzjoni fil-Parlament Ewropew, inawguraw wirja fotografika: Women Refugees and Asylum Seekers, imtellgħa mill- Parlament Ewropew flimkien mal-Parlament ta’ Malta. L-Ispeaker Anġlu Farrugia rrimarka li diversi persuni li ħarbu minn pajjiżhom biex isibu ħajja aħjar fl-Ewropa spiċċaw vittmi ta’ traġedji. Huwa saħaq li persuni li jfittxu l-ażil huma vulnerabbli, iżda n-nisa jkunu aktar vulnerabbli mill-irġiel. Iċ-ċerimonja kienet indirizzata wkoll minn Umayma, rappreżentanta Somala tal-Assoċjazzjoni Maltija tal-Immigranti Nisa, u Hourie Tafech, refuġjata mill-Palestina, li qasmu l-esperjenzi personali tagħhom. Fi tmiem iċ-ċerimonja ta’ inawgurazzjoni, l-Ispeaker Farrugia ppreżenta lil Darrin Zammit Lupi bil-premju ta’ Rebbieħ tal-Kompetizzjoni Fotografika. Is-Sa Lahousse-Juarez, Direttur Ġenerali għall-Komunikazzjoni fil-Parlament Ewropew , ippreżentat premju lis-Sur Ian Noel Pace, Joint Runner-up, u Dr Peter Agius, Rappreżentant tal-Parlament Ewropew f’Malta, ippreżenta premju lis-Sur Jonathan Borg, Joint Runner-up. Il-Wirja fotografika tal-Parlament Ewropew: Women Refugees and Asylum Seekers kienet miftuħa għall-pubbliku fil-foyer tal-Parlament sal-11 ta’ Marzu.
Żjara Uffiċjali mill-Ispeaker fl-MCAST
Fid-29 ta’ Frar l-Ispeaker Anġlu Farrugia żar il-Kulleġġ Malti tal-Arti, Xjenza u Teknoloġija (MCAST) f'Raħal Ġdid fejn kien milqugħ mill-President tal-Bord tal-Gvernaturi tal-MCAST, Dr Silvio De Bono u mill-Prinċipal u Kap Eżekuttiv tal-MCAST, is-Sur Stephen Cachia. Matul din iż-żjara, Dr De Bono spjega l-ħidma li twettqet u r-riżultati li nkisbu mill-Kulleġġ u ppreżenta kopja tar-rapport annwali għas-sena 2014/2015 lill-Ispeaker. Fir-rimarki tiegħu, l-Ispeaker qal li kull istituzzjoni edukattiva għandha missjoni x’taqdi u, grazzi għall-kontribut tal-politika Maltija, l-edukazzjoni vokazzjonali kienet fuq quddiem tal-aġenda ta’ kull gvern suċċessiv. L-Ispeaker wera l-gratitudni tiegħu għad-dedikazzjoni tal-għalliema li huma l-forza ewlenija ta’ dan il-Kulleġġ - is-sors ta’ bidu ġdid għal numru kbir ta’ studenti li huma l-futur u l-futur ta’ pajjiżna.
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Parliamentary Activities (Cont.)
Official visit to MCAST by the Speaker
On 29 February Speaker Anġlu Farrugia paid a courtesy visit to the Malta College of Art, Science and Technology (MCAST) in Paola where he was welcomed by Dr Silvio De Bono, President of the Board of Governors of MCAST and by Mr Stephen Cachia, Principal and CEO of MCAST. During this visit, Dr De Bono explained the work done and results achieved by the College and presented the Speaker with a copy of the annual report for the year 2014/2015. In his remarks, the Speaker said that every educational institute has a mission to achieve and thanks to the contribution of Maltese politics, vocational education was always at the top of the agenda of every successive government. The Speaker extended his gratitude to the dedication of the lecturers who are the driving force of this same college – the source of new beginnings of a large number of students who are the future, and the future of our country.
Inauguration of Photographic Exhibition: Women Refugees and Asylum Seekers
On 4 March the Speaker Anġlu Farrugia and Ms Juana Lahousse-Juarez, Director-General for Communication in the European Parliament, inaugurated the Photographic Exhibition: Women Refugees and Asylum Seekers set up by the European Parliament in conjunction with the Parliament of Malta. Speaker Anġlu Farrugia remarked that several displaced persons fleeing their homeland and seeking a better livelihood in Europe ended up victims of tragedies. He stressed that asylum seekers are vulnerable, with women being more vulnerable than men. The ceremony was also addressed by Ms Umayma, a Somali and representative of Migrant Women Association Malta, and Ms Hourie Tafech, a Palestinian Refugee, who gave an account of their personal experience. At the end of the Inauguration Ceremony, the Speaker of the House of Representatives Anġlu Farrugia, presented Mr Darrin Zammit Lupi with the award of Winner of the Photographic Competition. Ms Juana Lahousse-Juarez, Director-General for Communication, European Parliament, presented the award to Mr Ian Noel Pace, Joint Runner-up, and Dr Peter Agius, EP Representative, Malta, presented the award to Mr Jonathan Borg, Joint Runner-up. The EP Photographic Exhibition: Women Refugees and Asylum was open to the general public at the Foyer of the House of Representatives until 11 March.
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Attivitajiet tal‑Parlament (Kont.)
L-Ispeaker u l-Fondazzjoni Marigold iniedu attivitajiet marbuta mal-Jum Dinji tal-Awtiżmu 2016
Fl-10 ta’ Marzu 2016, l-Ispeaker tal-Kamra tad-Deputati, l-Onor Anġlu Farrugia u s-Sinjura Michelle Muscat, President tal-Fondazzjoni Marigold, nedew numru ta' attivitajiet relatati mal-Jum Dinji tal-Awtiżmu 2016. Bħala parti mill-kampanja "Light it up Blue", il-bini tal-Parlament flimkien ma’ binjiet prominenti oħra madwar id-dinja, kien ser jinxtegħel bil-blu. F’diskors qasir waqt l-avveniment, l-Ispeaker għamel referenza għall-Abbozz ta’ Liġi li bħalissa jinsab quddiem il-Kamra u li jikkonċerna il-benesseri u l-empowerment ta’ persuni fi ħdan il-firxa wiesgħa tal-awtiżmu. Huwa maħsub illi l-attività tinkludi wirja ta’ xogħlijiet minn żgħażagħ affettwati mill-awtiżmu, li tittella’ fil-bini tal-Parlament sabiex titqajjem iktar kuxjenza dwar l-awtiżmu.
L-Ispeaker jindirizza d-Disa’ Konferenza tal-Assoċjazzjoni tal-Ombudsmen tal-Mediterran
Fid-9 ta’ Marzu, l-Assoċjazzjoni tal-Ombudsmen tal-Mediterran organizzat id-disa' laqgħa tagħha f'Malta bit-tema "The Ombudsman - a key player for Good Governance” (L-Ombudsman – protagonist għal Governanza Tajba). Il-President ta’ Malta l-ET Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, l-Ispeaker tal-Kamra tad-Deputati, l-Onor. Anġlu Farrugia, l-Ombudsman Parlamentari ta' Malta, il-Prim Imħallef Emeritus Joseph Said Pullicino u l-President tal-AOM u Ombudsman tal-Albanija, Dr Igli Totozani, indirizzaw iċ-ċerimonja tal-ftuħ.
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Parliamentary Activities (Cont.)
The Speaker addresses the Ninth Conference of the Association of the Mediterranean Ombudsmen
On 9 March the Association of the Mediterranean Ombudsmen held its ninth meeting in Malta with the theme ‘The Ombudsman - a key player for Good Governance’. The President of Malta HE Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, the Speaker of the House of Representatives Anġlu Farrugia, the Parliamentary Ombudsman of Malta Chief Justice Emeritus Joseph Said Pullicino and Dr Igli Totozani, President of the AOM and Ombudsman of Albania addressed the opening ceremony.
The Speaker and the Marigold Foundation launch activities linked to World Autism Day 2016
On 10 March 2016, the Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon Anġlu Farrugia and Mrs Michelle Muscat, Chairperson of the Marigold Foundation, launched a series of activities related to World Autism Day 2016. As part of the the Campaign “Light it Up Blue,” the Parliament building together with other prominent buildings around the world will be lit up in blue. In his brief address during the event the Speaker referred to the bill currently before the House concerning the empowerment of persons within the autism spectrum by providing for their well-being within society. The activity is planned to include an exhibition in the foyer of the parliament building of works by young people affected by autism, with the objective of raising awareness about autism.
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Attivitajiet tal‑Parlament (Kont.)
Preżentazzjoni ta’ ċertifikati fi tmiem korsijiet ta’ taħriġ
Fil-21 ta’ Marzu l-Ispeaker indirizza madwar 80 persuna, fosthom numru ta' uffiċjali tal-Parlament, li rċevew taħriġ bażiku fit-tifi tan-nar u fl-użu tal-lift f’każ ta’ emerġenza. Matul dan l-avveniment l-Ispeaker ippreżenta ċertifikati ta’ taħriġ lill-parteċipanti. Fid-diskors tiegħu l-Ispeaker Farrugia qal li din l-inizjattiva ser tikkontribwixxi għal iktar effiċjenza fil-funzjoni amministrattiva tal-Parlament, u rrikonoxxa d-dmir li jiġi żgurat li dan il-bini jinżamm fl-aħjar kundizzjoni possibbli sabiex ikunu protetti dawk kollha li jużawh, kemm jekk ikunu Membri Parlamentari, uffiċjali tal-Parlament u l-pubbliku in ġenerali. L-Ispeaker irringrazzja lil dawk kollha preżenti għall- kontribut tagħhom, partikolarment lill-uffiċjali tal-pulizija assenjati mal-bini tal-Parlament, il-Kummissarju tal-Pulizija Michael Cassar, il-Kap tad-Dipartiment tal-Protezzjoni Ċivili John Rizzo kif ukoll is-Sur Joseph Cardona u s-Sur Luca Diana, General Managers ta’ żewġ kumpaniji privati li jipprovdu servizzi lill-Parlament.
L-Ispeaker jagħmel żjara lill-organizzaturi tal-Ġimgħa tal-Għarfien tal-Jum Dinji tal-Kliewi
Fit-12 ta’ Marzu, l-Ispeaker tal-Kamra tad-Deputati żar attività li ttellgħet quddiem- il binja tal-Parlament bħala parti mill-Ġimgħa tal-Għarfien tal-Jum Dinji tal-Kliewi, li kienet organizzata mir-Renal Unit tal-Isptar Mater Dei. L-Ispeaker kien akkumpanjat mill-Whip tal-Gvern, l-Onor. Godfrey Farrugia u l-Assistent Whip tal-Oppożizzjoni, l-Onor. Frederick Azzopardi. L-Ispeaker Farrugia esprima l-appoġġ tiegħu għal din l-attività li tqajjem kuxjenza dwar il-prevenzjoni tal-mard tal-kliewi u tinkoraġġixxi stil ta’ ħajja san sabiex jiġi evitat il-mard. L-Ispeaker irringrazzja lill-impjegati tar-Renal Unit għax-xogħol imprezzabbli li għamlu waqt din l-attività u li jagħmlu matul is-sena kollha.
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Parliamentary Activities (Cont.)
The Speaker pays a visit to the organisers of World Kidney Day Awareness Week On 12 March the Speaker of the House of Representatives paid a visit to the activity taking place in front of the Parliament building as part of World Kidney Day Awareness Week which was organised by the Renal Unit of the Mater Dei Hospital. The Speaker was accompanied by Government Whip Hon. Godfrey Farrugia and the Opposition Assistant Whip Hon. Frederick Azzopardi. Speaker Farrugia expressed his support towards this activity which raises awareness towards the prevention of kidney diseases and encourages a healthy lifestyle in order to prevent diseases. The Speaker congratulated the employees of the Renal Unit for the invaluable work, during this activity, and moreover during the year
Presentation of certificates following training courses
On 21 March the Speaker addressed around 80 persons, including a number of parliament officials, who received basic training in fire fighting and training in the use of the lift in the event of an emergency. During this event the Speaker presented certificates of training to the participants. In his address Speaker Farrugia said that this initiative will contribute towards the efficiency of the administrative function of the Parliament, and that it is our duty to ensure that this building is maintained in the best way possible so as to protect all those who use it, be they parliamentarians, parliamentary officials and the public at large. The Speaker thanked all those present for their contribution, particularly police officers assigned to the Parliament building, the Police Commissioner Michael Cassar, the Chief of the Civil Protection Department John Rizzo as well as Mr Joseph Cardona and Mr Luca Diana, general managers of private service providers to Parliament.
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Attivitajiet internazzjonali
Attivitajiet internazzjonali
Din it-taqsima tal-perjodiku tippreżenta informazzjoni dwar laqgħat inter-parlamentari li fihom ħadu sehem Membri Parlamentari Maltin u li dwarhom ġew ippreżentati rapporti lill-Ispeaker li sussegwentement tqiegħdu fuq il-Mejda tal-Kamra.
Alleanza taċ-Ċiviltajiet L-64 CPA Westminster Seminar dwar il- tan-Nazzjonijiet Uniti – Laqgħa Prattika u l-Proċedura Parlamentari tal-Punti Fokali
L-Onor. Justyne Caruana, Kap tad-Delegazzjoni tal- L-Onor. Antoine Borg ipparteċipa fl-64 CPA Assemblea Parlamentari tal-Mediterran (PAM), Westminster Seminar dwar Prattika u Proċedura irrappreżentat lill-PAM fil-Laqgħa tal-Punti Fokali Parlamentari li ġie organizzat mill-fergħa tar- tal-Alleanza taċ-Ċiviltajiet tan-Nazzjonijiet Uniti li Renju Unit tal-Assoċjazzjoni Parlamentari tal- saret fi New York fil-15 ta’ Jannar. Fl-indirizz tagħha Commonwealth (CPA) bejn it-30 ta’ Novembru u l-4 lill-membri f’isem il-PAM, l-Onor. Caruana ffukat ta’ Diċembru 2015 fil-Houses of Parliament, Londra. fuq il-komponent Mediterranju u tkellmet dwar Is-Seminar, li laqqa’ Membri Parlamentari u uffiċjali l-isfidi numerużi li bħalissa qegħdin jaffettwaw parlamentari mill-Commonwealth, kien jikkonsisti il-benesseri u l-iżvilupp futur tar-reġjun. Waqt li f’numru ta' sessjonijiet, inkluż mal-Ispeaker tal- rrikonoxxiet iċ-ċentralità ta’ soluzzjonijiet politiċi, House of Commons, John Bercow, Lord Speaker l-Onor. Caruana tkellmet ukoll dwar il-bżonn li Baroness Frances D’Souza, l-Iskrivan tal-Kamra jiġu indirizzati kwistjonijiet ta’ żvilupp ekonomiku David Natzler, il-Kummissarju Parlamentari għall- u soċjali, sabiex jiġu eliminati l-kawżi primarji li Istandards Kathryn Hudson, il-President tal-Kumitat jwasslu għall-estremiżmu. Ġiet identifikata wkoll dwar l-Istandards fil-Ħajja Pubblika Lord Paul l-importanza tat-tisħiħ tad-djalogu, partikolarment Bew, u membri u uffiċjali oħra taż-żewġ Kmamar. dak inter-reliġjuż, sabiex naslu għall-paċi u l-iżvilupp. Matul dawn is-sessjonijiet il-parteċipanti kellhom Matul id-diskors tagħha, l-Onor. Caruana semmiet l-opportunità li jitgħallmu dwar ċerti karatteristiċi kif ħafna drabi ż-żgħażagħ ikunu l-vittmi ewlenin tal- tas-sistema parlamentari tar-Renju Unit filwaqt li ideoloġiji radikali u l-mira ewlenija għal reklutaġġ jiddiskutu ma’ kollegi tagħhom minn madwar il- minn gruppi vjolenti. Hi enfasizzat l-importanza Commonwealth. tal-edukazzjoni u l-ħtieġa ta’ involviment ikbar mal- gruppi vulnerabbli tas-soċjetajiet tagħna. Suġġett ieħor li ttrattat l-Onor. Caruana kien ir-rwol tad- diplomazija parlamentari u qalet li din hi għodda importanti li tista’ tgħin biex tkompli tinbena l-fiduċja u titrawwem- it tolleranza fost nies ta’ twemmin differenti, filwaqt li kkonfermat li - “r rwol tal-parlamentari huwa li jipprovdu pjattaforma għad-djalogu politiku u soċjali”. L-Onor. Caruana f'isem il-PAM, ikkonkludiet l-intervent tagħha billi enfasizzat il-bżonn ta’ impenn komuni sabiex jiġi evitat it-tixrid tal-estremiżmu vjolenti u tiżdied il- ħidma favur il-paċi fir-reġjun tal-Mediterran.
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International Activities
United Nations Alliance of Civilisations Focal Points International Activities Meeting This section of the periodical presents Hon. Justyne Caruana, Head of the Delegation to the Parliamentary information concerning those inter- Assemby for the Mediterranean (PAM) represented PAM at parliamentary meetings in which the Meeting of the Focal Points of the United Nations Alliance Maltese Members of Parliament took of Civilisations which was held in New York on 15 January. part and on which they have presented Addressing members present on behalf of PAM, Hon. Caruana focused on the Mediterranean component and spoke on the a report to the Speaker which was numerous challenges currently afflicting the well-being and subsequently laid on the table of the future development of the region. Recognising and highlighting House. the centrality of political solutions, Hon. Caruana also spoke on the centrality of addressing economic and social development issues and thus tackle the root causes leading to extremism. CPA 64th Westminster Seminar Furthermore, the importance to strengthen dialogue, with on Parliamentary Practice and specific reference to inter-religious dialogue, was also identified Procedure as pivotal to the promotion of peace and development. Speaking on the role of young people as representing the primary victims of radical ideologies and the main target for recruitment by Hon. Antoine Borg participated in the violent groups, Hon. Caruana emphasised the importance of CPA 64th Westminster Seminar on education and the necessity of engaging more with vulnerable Parliamentary Practice and Procedure groups within our societies. Hon. Caruana also spoke about the which was organised by the UK Branch role of parliamentary diplomacy defining it as an important tool to further build trust and foster tolerance amongst people of of the Commonwealth Parliamentary different beliefs and creeds and thus reaffirming that ‘‘our role Association (CPA) between the 30 as parliamentarians is also to provide a platform for political and November and 4 December 2015 social dialogue.’’ Hon. Caruana, on behalf of PAM, concluded at the Houses of Parliament in the intervention reiterating the need for shared commitment to London. The Seminar, which brought prevent the spread of violent extremism and promote peace in the Mediterranean region. together Members of Parliament and parliamentary officials from throughout the Commonwealth, comprised a number of sessions, including with the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, the Lord Speaker Baroness Frances D’Souza, the Clerk of the House David Natzler, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards Kathryn Hudson, the Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life Lord Paul Bew, and various other Members and officials of both Houses. During these sessions the participants had the opportunity to learn about certain features of the UK parliamentary system and to exchange views with their counterparts from around the Commonwealth.
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Attivitajiet internazzjonali (Kont.)
It-23 Konferenza tal-Ispeakers u Presiding Officers tal-Commonwealth
Id-Deputat Speaker, l-Onor. Ċensu Galea, ħa sehem fit-23 Konferenza tal-Ispeakers u Presiding Officers tal-Commonwealth, li saret f’Kota Kinabalu, il-Malasja, bejn id-9 u l-14 ta’ Jannar. Matul il-laqgħa l-Onor. Anġlu Farrugia, Speaker tal-Kamra tad-Deputati, reġa' ġie maħtur bħala Membru tal-Kumitat Permanenti tal- Konferenza tal-Ispeakers u Presiding Officers tal-Commonwealth (CSPOC). Huwa se jkun qed jirrappreżenta l-Gżejjer Britanniċi u r-Reġjun tal-Mediterran (BIMR) għall-perjodu 2016-2018. L-Onor. Ċensu Galea għamel żewġ interventi matul il-laqgħa. Huwa tkellem dwar is-sigurtà tal-bini tal-Parlament, u semma kif il-bidla fil- bini tal-Parlament ta’ Malta enfasizzat ir-responsabbilità tal-Ispeaker fejn tidħol is-sigurtà ta’ din l-istituzzjoni. L-Onor. Galea tkellem ukoll dwar il-kwistjoni tal-privileġġ parlamentari u tenna li din hija għodda li spiss tiġi abbużata u li għandha tiġi kkunsidrata -t tneħħija ta’ dan il-privileġġ.
L-LIV Laqgħa tal-COSAC organizzata mill-Presidenza tal-Lussemburgu tal-Kunsill tal-Unjoni Ewropea
L-Onor. Francis Zammit Dimech ipparteċipa fl-54 laqgħa tal-Kumitati Parlamentari għall-Affarijiet tal-Unjoni (COSAC), li kienet organizzata mill-Parlament tal-Lussemburgu fil-qafas tad-dimensjoni parlamentari tal- Presidenza tal-Kunsill tal-UE, u li saret bejn id-29 ta’ Novembru u l-1 ta’ Diċembru, 2015. Il-Konferenza kienet maqsuma fi tliet sessjonijiet plenarji: l-ewwel sessjoni indirizzat l-aġenda Ewropea dwar il-migrazzjoni; it-tieni sessjoni ttrattat l-istrateġija għal Suq Uniku Diġitali (DSM) fl-Ewropa, u t-tielet sessjoni ffukat fuq -il politika tat- tkabbir tal-UE. Waqt l-ewwel sessjoni, l-Onor. Francis Zammit Dimech stqarr li filwaqt li wieħed jirrikonoxxi li matul il-kors tas-sena kien hemm titjib fir-rigward ta’ kwistjonijiet ta' migrazzjoni, kien għad hemm ħafna xogħol xi jsir sakemm tiġi miftiehma u implimentata politika komuni Ewropea tal-Ażil. L-Onor. Silvio Parnis tkellem dwar it-tħassib fir-rigward ta’ sigurtà li ġġib magħha il-migrazzjoni u li tirriżulta fi grad ta’ instabbiltà fl-Ewropa. Huwa rrefera wkoll għas-Summit tal-Belt Valletta dwar il-Migrazzjoni u qal illi politika ta’ ritorn effettiva teħtieġ relazzjonijiet sodi mal-pajjiżi ta’ oriġini.
L-Ewwel Sessjoni tal-Assemblea Parlamentari tal-Kunsill tal-Ewropa (PACE)
Id-delegazzjoni tal-Parlament Malti għall-PACE mmexxija mill-Onor. Joe Debono Grech u magħmula mill- Onor. Charlò Bonnici, l-Onor. Beppe Fenech Adami u l-Onor. Joseph Sammut attendiet l-Ewwel Sessjoni tal-Assemblea Parlamentari tal-Kunsill tal-Ewropa 2016 li saret fi Strasburgu bejn il-25 u t-28 ta’ Jannar. Fl- ewwel ġurnata saret l-elezzjoni tal-Assemblea u l-ħatra tal-membri tal-kumitati, u wara sar dibattitu dwar ir-rapport ta’ progress tal-Bureau u l-Kumitat Permanenti. Fil-ġranet ta’ wara ġew diskussi diversi suġġetti ta’ importanza politika, inkluż iż-żieda fil-vjolenza f’Nagorno-Karabakh, in-nuqqas ta’ ilma fl-Ażerbajġan, l-istat tas-sħubija tal-Ġordan fl-Assemblea Parlamentari tal-Mediterran (PAM) u r-relazzjoni bejn il-migrazzjoni u l-kriminalità organizzata. L-Onor. Debono Grech, f’isem id-delegazzjoni Maltija, ressaq talba għall-mili ta’ post vakanti ta’ membru fil-Kumitat Ewropew għall-Prevenzjoni tat-Tortura. Minbarra li pparteċipaw fis- sessjonijiet plenarji, il-membri tad-delegazzjoni ħadu sehem f’laqgħa tal-grupp politiku rispettiv tagħhom u ħadu wkoll sehem f'numru ta’ laqgħat tal-Kumitati.
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International Activities (Cont.)
23rd Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ċensu Galea, took part in the 23rd Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth, which was held in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, between 9 and 14 January. Hon. Anġlu Farrugia, Speaker of the House of Representatives, was re-appointed Member of the Standing Committee of the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC). He will be representing the British Isles and Mediterranean Region (BIMR) for the period 2016-2018. Hon. Ċensu Galea made two interventions during the meeting. Speaking on the security of parliament buildings, the Deputy Speaker remarked that the move of the Parliament of Malta to a new building highlighted the importance of the responsibility of the Speaker towards the security of the institution. Hon. Galea also spoke about the issue of parliamentary privilege and argued that it is a tool that is often abused and that one should consider removing this privilege.
LIV COSAC Meeting organised by the Luxembourg Presidency of the Council of the European Union
Hon. Francis Zammit Dimech attended the 54th Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs (COSAC) meeting, which was organised by the Luxembourg Parliament in the framework of the parliamentary dimension of the Presidency of the Council of the EU, held between 29 November and 1 December 2015. The Conference comprised three plenary sessions: the first session addressed the European agenda on migration; the second session dealt with the Digital Single Market (DSM) strategy for Europe, and the third session focused on the EU enlargement policy. Speaking at the first session, Hon. Francis Zammit Dimech stated that while one recognises that during the course of the year there was improvement with regard to migration issues, there was still a lot of work to be done until a Common European Asylum policy could be agreed upon and implemented. Hon. Silvio Parnis spoke about the security concerns that arise from migration resulting in a degree of instability in Europe. He also referred to the Valletta Summit of Migration and argued that an effective return policy requires sound relations with countries of origin.
First Part Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE)
The delegation of the Maltese Parliament to the PACE led by Hon. Joe Debono Grech and including Hon. Charlò Bonnici, Hon. Beppe Fenech Adami and Hon. Joseph Sammut attended the 2016 First Part Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe held in Strasbourg between 25 and 28 January. After the election of the Assembly and appointment of members of the committees, the debate on the first day revolved around the progress report of the Bureau and the Standing Committee. On the subsequent days, various topics of political importance were discussed, including the escalation of violence in Nagorno- Karabakh, water scarcity in Azerbaijan, Jordan’s membership status to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) and the relationship between migration and organised crime. Hon. Debono Grech submitted a request on behalf of the Maltese delegation for the filling of the vacant post of member on the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture. The delegates, in addition to attending the plenary sessions, took part in the meeting of their respective political group and also participated in a number of committee meetings.
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Attivitajiet internazzjonali (Kont.)
Konferenza tal-Presidenti tal-Kumitati Parlamentari għall-Affarijiet Barranin tal-Kunsill tal-Istati Membri
Bejn it-8 u l-10 ta’ Frar l-Onor. Tonio Fenech attenda l-Konferenza tal-Presidenti tal-Kumitati Parlamentari għall-Affarijiet Barranin tal-Istati Membri tal-Kunsill tal-Ewropa dwar Sigurtà Demokratika bbażata fuq unità u kooperazzjoni Ewropea, organizzata mill-Parlament Bulgaru. Il-Konferenza ttrattat kwistjonijiet ta’ libertà u sigurtà fl-Ewropa u l-isfida attwali tal-migrazzjoni. L-Onor. Fenech intervjena waqt id-diskussjoni u tenna li l-flussi migratorji mill-Afrika ma jistgħux jitwaqqfu qabel ma jiġi indirizzat il-bżonn urġenti ta’ żvilupp ekonomiku Afrikan u ta’ ħolqien ta’ opportunitajiet ekonomiċi f’dawn il-pajjiżi.
Laqgħa tal-Presidenti tal-COSAC organizzata mill- Presidenza Olandiża tal-UE
Fis-7 ta’ Frar, l-Onor. Luciano Busuttil ipparteċipa fil-laqgħa tal- Presidenti tal-COSAC organizzata mill-Presidenza Olandiża fl-Aja. L-ewwel sessjoni, li kienet immexxija minn moderatur, iffukat fuq l-involviment akbar tal-parlamenti nazzjonali fil-proċess tat-teħid ta’ deċiżjonijiet fl-UE, u ġie diskuss studju dwar l-iskrutinju tar- regolament tal-EUROPOL. It-tieni sessjoni ttrattat żewġ kwistjonijiet inter-relatati: il-Programm ta’ Ħidma tal-Kummissjoni għall-2016 u l-prijoritajiet tal-Presidenza Olandiża tal-Kunsill tal-Ewropa fl- ewwel nofs tal-2016.
L-Għaxar Sessjoni Plenarja tal PAM
Delegazzjoni Maltija mmexxija mill-Ispeaker Anġlu Farrugia u li kienet magħmula mill-Onor. Silvio Schembri, l-Onor. Tonio Fenech u l-Onor. Clyde Puli, attendiet l-Għaxar Sessjoni Plenarja tal-Assemblea Parlamentari tal-Mediterran (PAM) f'Tirana, l-Albanija bejn it-18 u d-19 ta’ Frar. Matul il-laqgħa ta’ jumejn, kien hemm dibattiti ta’ livell għoli dwar l-iżviluppi u l-perspettivi politiċi- fil Mediterran, l-isfidi ekonomiċi u ambjentali fil-Mediterran, djalogu inter-kulturali u kwistjonijiet soċjali oħra. Fit-tieni jum -l Ispeaker Farrugia ngħata l-PAM 2015 Excellence in the Mediterranean Award bħala rikonoxximent tar-rwol attiv tiegħu- fir reġjun u tal-kontribut li ta għall-missjoni tal-PAM li tippromwovi d-djalogu f’livell parlamentari.
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International Activities (Cont.)
Conference of Chairpersons of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committees of the Council of Member States
Between 8 and 10 February Hon. Tonio Fenech attended the Conference of the Chairpersons of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committees of the Council of Europe Member States on ‘Democratic Security Based on European Unity and Cooperation’ organised by the Bulgarian Parliament. The Conference dealt with issues of freedom and security in Europe and the current challenge of migration. Hon. Fenech intervened during the discussion and argued that the stemming of migration flows from Africa cannot be achieved without addressing the need for urgent African economic development and creating economic opportunities in these countries.
Meeting of the Chairpersons of COSAC organised by the Dutch/EU Presidency
On 7 February, Hon. Luciano Busuttil participated in the meeting of the Chairpersons of COSAC organised by the Dutch Presidency in The Hague. The first session, led by a moderator, focused on the greater involvement of national parliaments in the EU decision-making process, where a case study about the scrutiny of the EUROPOL regulation was considered. The second session concerned two interrelated issues, the Commission Work Programme for 2016 and the Priorities of the Dutch Presidency of the Council in the first half of 2016.
10th Plenary Session of PAM
A Maltese delegation led by Speaker Anġlu Farrugia and comprising Hon. Silvio Schembri, Hon. Tonio Fenech and Hon. Clyde Puli, attended the 10th Plenary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) in Tirana, Albania between the 18 and 19 February. During the two day meeting, there were high-level debates on political developments and perspectives in the Mediterranean, economic and environmental challenges in the Mediterranean and inter-cultural dialogue and other social issues. On the second day Speaker Farrugia was bestowed with the PAM 2015 Excellence in the Mediterranean Award as recognition for his active role in the region and contribution to the PAM’s mission of promoting dialogue at Parliamentary level.
39 Ħidma Parlamentari Parliamentary Work
April 2013 – Marzu 2016 April 2013 – March 2016
Seduti fil‑Plenarja 370 Plenary Sittings
Laqgħat tal‑Kumitati Permanenti 381 Meetings of Standing Committees
Stqarrijiet Ministerjali 59 Ministerial Statements
Mozzjonijiet 319 Motions
Mozzjonijiet Privati 32 Private Members’ Motions Mozzjonijiet għall‑Ewwel Qari 146 Motions for First Reading of Bills ta’ Abbozzi ta’ Liġi Liġijiet mgħoddija mill‑Parlament 124 Acts enacted by Parliament
Liġijiet approvati b’votazzjoni 17 Acts approved upon division
Mistoqsijiet Parlamentari 24,590 Parliamentary Questions Dokumenti mqiegħda fuq Documents laid on the Table of 6,802 il‑Mejda tal‑Kamra the House Diskorsi tal‑Aġġornament 271 Adjournment Speeches
Deċiżjonijiet tas‑Sedja 72 Rulings by the Chair Membri Parlamentari li siefru fuq Members of Parliament on 391 xogħol parlamentari parliamentary duties abroad Delegazzjonijiet parlamentari 198 Parliamentary delegations abroad barra minn Malta Delegazzjonijiet immexxija Delegations led by the Speaker/ 48 mill‑Ispeaker/Deputy Speaker Deputy Speaker