The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Anglu Farrugia, has this morning launched a publication comprising a number of rulings given by him and the Deputy Speaker throughout the past twelve months following the opening of the 12th Parliament in April 2013.

The book, entitled “Is-Sedja Titkellem”, consists of twenty-two rulings delivered by the Chair, which, inter alia, include the ruling on the impeachment of Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco as well as the ruling on the hearing of witnesses by the Public Accounts Committee during its consideration of the NAO report on fuel-procurement by Enemalta.

As mentioned by Speaker Farrugia in his Press Conference, one of the main objectives of this publication is to promote awareness by the general public of the work carried out by the President of Malta’s highest Institution.

The Speaker also said that an internal commission was appointed by him to report within a month to the House Business Committee on the administrative aspect of Parliamentary autonomy. He thanked both Groups of Parliament, both Government and Opposition, for the progress achieved following the set-up of the Select Committee on Standards, Ethics and proper behaviour in public life after consensus was reached on a draft Bill regarding the appointment of a Commissioner and of a Standing Committee for Standards. He hoped that the parliamentary procedure for this draft Bill to become an Act would commence in the coming weeks.

The Speaker also said that another publication from his Office will be issued in the coming months concerning Parliamentary Diplomacy.

Present for the Press Conference were  Censu Galea, Deputy Speaker, Carmelo Abela, Government Whip, David Agius, Opposition Whip, Ray Scicluna, Clerk of the House, Ancel Farrugia Migneco, Personal Assistant to the Speaker, and Giovanni Miceli, Adviser for International Relations.