Parliament yesterday started debating the Bill that seeks to amend various laws relating to energy resources, in particular the Enemalta Act and the Water Services Corporation Act. Minister for Investment, Industry and IT Austin Gatt initiated the debate by saying that the amendments being proposed are quite technical and are intended to update the laws in this field.

The Bill is introducing certain definitions to be incorporated in the law so that the Enemalta Act is brought in line with European law. Terms such as “energy audits”, “energy efficiency” and “energy efficiency improvement” are being defined in the initial phase of the proposed amendments.

The amendments provide for the establishment of a Board of Directors, which shall be responsible for the formulation and implementation of the policy and strategy of Enemalta and will give the Chief Executive Officer such directions as it deems fit.

Dr Gatt said that a Works Council will also be set up by the Corporation and the Chief Executive Officer shall ensure that it convenes at least once a month. The concept of creating a Works Council has already featured within Airmalta and Dr Gatt said it is worthwhile mentioning that the Works Council proved to be very successful.

When the Enemalta Corporation will be eventually privatised, the employees working at the Corporation will be given a choice of either joining the new operator or remain employed at the Corporation.

As the law stands today, Enemalta may, from time to time, borrow by way of overdraft or otherwise, for periods not exceeding 12 months, such sums as the Corporation may require for carrying out its functions. However, for any amount in excess of Lm200,000, the minister’s approval in writing is required. Dr Gatt said that one of the amendments being proposed is that the Lm200,000 limit is being raised up to Lm1m.

An amendment which is already established in practice but is not yet stated in the law is that prices charged by Enemalta for the supply of electrical energy and related services may, from time to time, be prescribed by Enemalta following the written approval by the Malta Resources Authority.

Dr Gatt concluded by saying that the amendments seek to facilitate the operations of the Corporations.

Labour MP Joe Mizzi queried why the government is proposing the amendments on the eve of a general election when it had five years to do so. Mr Mizzi said the Malta Labour Party believes in a level playing field. After mentioning Article 44 of the proposed amendments, which according to Mr Mizzi, a new form of “tax” is being created, Mr Mizzi said that records show that the people who suffer mostly are families who cannot cope with the cost of living. Mr Mizzi said the Malta Labour Party brings to effect what it promises.

Nationalist MP Michael Axiaq said the opposition has not yet realised that Malta has become a member of the European Union. Dr Axiaq focused his speech on the fact that the policies of the Malta Labour Party are dysfunctional.

Labour MP Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca ended yesterday’s debate by saying that the amendments have strong social implications. Among other things, Mrs Coleiro Preca asked where the corporate social responsibility element is to be found in the amendments: the social dimension is inexistent in the Bill.

The debate continues today.