Speaking in parliament yesterday, Dr Sant said this in response to the Omnibus Act that was being discussed. This act is one regarding amendments to be made to several laws in order to conform with European legislation.

The Opposition leader said that this act is an effort to make up for lost time. The government left many issues on the sidelines, he continued, and this Omnibus Act is a way of updating everything in the shortest period of time.

New legislation brought about by Malta’s EU accession has not been sufficiently discussed, said Dr Sant. Too much emphasis has been placed on the superficial part of the island’s accession, what he called “the frills”.

The Labour Party leader said that parliament needs structures adequate to examine the changes brought about by Malta’s EU accession. European directives must be discussed and evaluated before being implemented, he said. Dr Sant explained that there is no parliamentary body to do this and the government must invest in such structures.

The opposition leader noted that any structures set up should answer directly to parliament and examine how the EU laws can be implemented with particular reference to Malta. Decisions taken in Brussels have a direct effect on Malta.

Labour MP Joe Brincat also voiced his objections to issues raised by the Omnibus Act.

In response to this, Justice and Home Affairs Ministry Parliamentary Secretary Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici said that the British parliament, that Malta has often modelled itself on, has been passing acts such as this one for many years.

The Omnibus Act, that was very unwelcome among the Opposition, is used to amend laws that are not in any way connected, he explained.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici said he believed the Opposition’s lash-out against this Act was one of panic. The Labour Party was staunchly against the EU and now that Malta is on the brink of accession, it is trying to understand the Union and the way it works in a very short period of time, he concluded.