As the Isle of MTV was going on outside, the House of Representatives was submerged in shouting and cross debate so that the Isle of MTV sounds were not audible inside the Chamber.

During the entire sitting, and even in the Environment Committee before that, the Opposition had been loudly complaining at the procedure adopted by the government which wanted to curtail the debate on the environment bills at second reading stage, even before the conclusion of the public consultation phase. 

The government argued that the debate at Committee stage would be held after the summer recess and the comments by NGOs can be taken consideration of at that stage.

Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon was not even midway in his winding up speech when Opposition Whip David Agius rose to complain about the lack of information about the next sittings.

As shouting engulfed the House, Minister George Vella, among others, loudly complained that Dr Falzon was not being allowed to conclude the debate.

Dr Falzon then declared he had nothing more to add.

The Speaker then asked, amid shouting, Minister Joe Mizzi to move the Adjournment of the House.

Mr Mizzi began to read the long list of items of business but was interrupted by the Speaker who said that as the debate had been concluded, the House must vote.

Even more shouting erupted and the Speaker was asked to issue a ruling, which he took quite a long time to do.

During the interruption, it would seem the two Whips were called to a meeting in the Speaker's office and came to an agreement that although the vote would be called, it will be taken at a later date.

As it happened, when the sitting resumed, there were 31 Government members present against 5 from the Opposition but no vote was taken, as agreed.

The House will meet Wednesday morning at 9am.

Speaker's clarification

At the start of Wednesday morning's sitting, the Speaker of the House of Representatives made reference to the above report, saying that at the time that Tuesday's sitting was interrupted for him to write the ruling, no meeting was held in his office. The meeting (with the two whips) was held earlier, during the sitting.