Summertime is an aria composed by George Gershwin for the 1935 opera Porgy and Bess. Of course I am not a music expert and my opinion is not going to be on this piece of nice music. But this summer period is anything but relaxing

With an election approaching sooner or later and with GonziPN desperate to take full advantage of the power of incumbency, which was very much used in the last general elections, this summer is quite a busy one.

The current coalition government, led by GonziPN’s oligarchy, is doing whatever it takes to remain in power. As such, some weeks ago we were promised that a number of legislations will finally make it to parliament. Some of them have been promised for more than ten years.

But people know now that the time is right for them to gain something from the GonziPN administration, since what was not possible during the first four years of this oligarchic administration is now suddenly possible. And this is the power of incumbency at its best. Of course, we are aware that during the last general elections there were also illicit promises which were made for GonziPN to win every possible vote. The result is known by everyone; in the last few days, the GonziPN clique managed to prevail and once again maintain power. And this time round they are ready to do the same and do whatever it takes to remain in power.

One of the legislations that GonziPN is now promoting is that on IVF. After the declaration made by Joseph Muscat, that if elected in government, one of the first laws enacted by Parliament will be that on IVF, their intention is to discuss this after the summer recess. One must note that this is not a new subject for Parliament. There were at least three instances when Parliament discussed this issue. The first time IVF was discussed, it was done so extensively by the Social Affairs Committee under the chairmanship of Clyde Puli and a report was made public on this issue. After all the hype regarding that discussion, nothing else happened and the legislature ended without enacting a law to regulate IVF.

Then, in the current legislature, a Parliamentary Select Committee was set up with the specific purpose to continue the discussion and draw out proposals for the introduction of this law. This committee was composed of three members of parliament, with the government side having the majority. Again, another report which was unanimously agreed upon was published but once again, nothing else happened on the issue.

For the second time, the Social Affairs Committee, this time under the chairmanship of Edwin Vassallo, discussed the issue of IVF. But soon after the discussion ended, even the issue was not given its due importance after so many years. And that is why I say that thanks should go to Joseph Muscat, since it is down to him that we finally have a draft legislation which should be analysed and discussed and finally – if we arrive to that – voted on in Parliament.

I am not saying that what was published should be approved as it is but it should be a starting point for discussion. When the draft law on IVF was published, the Church authorities issued a statement which seemingly lacks the complete agreement of all the priests. Then it was time for the Cana Movement to issue a statement to corroborate that issued by the Bishops but which went even further by stating that where IVF was present or introduced, it led to other things such as abortion.

Let me make this clear, I am not an expert on the matter but will do my utmost to continue to follow the developments and the discussion like I did in Parliament, especially in the current Social Affairs Committee. But the Cana Movement was not correct when it stated that IVF is going to be locally introduced by way of this law. To be more precise, IVF will be regulated since it is already being practiced locally. The difference is that today, everyone can do whatever they want. Perhaps by having a decent piece of legislation, there will be more control and for those who might abuse of or break the law, there will be sanctions. I have no problem with the Church Authorities voicing their concerns on such issues, nor that other, related organisations such as the Cana Movement do the same. But of course, we cannot tolerate a situation in which IVF is practiced haphazardly, without any regulation whatsoever.

And what the Church and other organisations should push, is the introduction of a morally sound, ethical piece of legislation that prevents abuse and safeguards people’s rights and wellbeing, rather than vice versa. Being a father or a mother is the most difficult thing but it is also very rewarding. So why not give a chance to those stable couples who want to bring a new life into this world? This law will also make IVF an option for those couples who currently cannot afford it, by making the service available at Mater Dei hospital. As I see it, this is pro-life legislation that protects the interests of all those involved without abuses. This should be our aim after all.

Carmelo Abela is Labour Main Spokesperson for Social Policy

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