Karl Chircop was an example of integrity, honesty, loyalty and commitment – solid values that have to passed on to future generations, Speaker of the House of Representatives Louis Galea said yesterday

Dr Galea was speaking during yesterday’s parliament session where both sides of the House paid tribute to Dr Chircop, who passed away on Sunday. A wreath of flowers, along with a photo of Dr Chircop, was placed on the seat he usually occupied.

However, yesterday’s parliament session was adjourned following the moving tributes made by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat and the Speaker of the House.

Dr Galea referred to the many tributes by individuals and organisations and said they were all well deserved.

He had practiced the vocation of a politician with success and was always well-prepared on his subject, he said.

Opening the parliamentary session, Dr Galea said that following the news of great sorrow about Dr Chircop’s death, both sides of the House decided to pay tribute to commemorate his memory.

The prime minister said that it was with a great sense of sorrow that parliament met up yesterday with Dr Chircop missing. “We got used to his presence. It is a great sadness when we lose someone, especially since he was so young.”

Dr Gonzi said that everyone was shocked and surprised when the news about Dr Chircop’s illness emerged, but hoped that it was temporary. “All the country came together and expressed its solidarity with his family,” he said.

However, he added, even when his condition worsened to the extent that he needed treatment in the UK, hope was not lost.

“We all had hoped to see him here again. Today we are meeting without him here – the whole country is in mourning,” said the prime minister.

Dr Gonzi had nothing but words of praise for Dr Chircop and recalled that when he was Social Policy Minister in 1998, Dr Chircop was shadow minister. “His replies to my speeches were always firm but elegant. He truly believed in what he said.”

The prime minister said that Dr Chircop had a great sense of dedication to his party and to his country and pointed out that his firm values were reflected in his words and actions.

“Even though we had different political beliefs, I felt comfortable debating with him as we shared many values – values which we both put forward at the service of society,” said Dr Gonzi.

He described Dr Chircop as a genuine, dignified man, who was good, strong and sensitive to the needs of the electorate. “He always believed in what he said and he always respected different opinions.”

Dr Gonzi praised Dr Chircop’s dedication to his family and said he gave a “substantial contribution during the short time he was here.”

The prime minister then expressed his condolences to Dr Chircop’s family on behalf of the government and forwarded a motion to adjourn parliament to today out of respect to Dr Chircop.

In his tribute, Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat said that Dr Chircop’s death was a great loss for the country, the Labour Party and for himself and his colleagues on a personal level.

“Karl put the interests of the citizen before everything and hundreds of families are mourning his loss. The Labour Party lost a worker who truly reflected the party’s ideals,” said Dr Muscat.

He pointed out that Dr Chircop worked hard with determination but never forgot his roots. “He always reached the goals he set but never forgot where he came from.”

“We lost a friend,” said Dr Muscat.

The opposition leader said there were two lessons to be learnt from Dr Chircop.

The first was that he always found time for his family. “He was always a family man and his children can remember him as a father who was always present, regardless of his commitments.”

Secondly, said Dr Muscat, his wife decided to donate his organs because she knew that it would have been his wish. “Karl was of service until his last breath – we should push forward the culture of organ donation to give new hope to others.”

Dr Muscat praised Parliamentary Secretary for Health Joe Cassar for doing his utmost during Dr Chircop’s illness. He also expressed his condolences to Dr Chircop’s family on behalf of the Opposition.

Parliament then observed a minute of silence and adjourned as a sign of respect.