MPs from both sides of the political divide were in agreement this evening as Parliament debated amendments to the Competition Act, required due to an EU Directive.

The Directive is regarding the procedures which govern action for damages under national law for infringements in EU competition law.

Due to the rare sight of both parties being in agreement, the second reading and the committee stage were held this evening in Parliament.

Justice Minister Owen said that the amendment has been drafted in line with EU competition rules in order to safeguard the single market. He remarked that the government is business-friendly and wants to create an environment that can help small businesses grow.

He commented that in a “fair market”, safeguards need to be put in place so that big businesses that carry out agreements between themselves could end up in dominate positions which tend leave consumers in a worse-off position.

Bonnici denounced abusive practices which hurt the consumer, adding that the amendments had already been in place through the form of regulations, however upon receiving the proper advice, it was decided that the amendments be transposed in the legal text of the Competition Act.

He stressed that the EU can mainly ensure that competition rules are being respected in all member states through transposition into national law of those member states.

Opposition whip David Agius spoke of the PN’s agreement to the proposed amendments, with just a few questions for clarification, such as possible oversight on the Malta Financial Services Authority and the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs in order to see how these amendments are being implemented.

He stressed that it was the PN in 2011 to introduce amendments which provided for the seeking of damages by persons when they were wronged.