Yesterday's parliamentary session dragged on till 3am this morning as the Opposition chose to exercise its right to call a division each time a vote was being taken to "send the message that there is something fundamentally wrong in the way this Government is doing things."

In a statement, the Nationalist Party said it "opted to use the democratic tools at our disposal by calling for a division on the votes taken in the Strategic Plan for Environment and Development (SPED)."

This meant that a 20-minute break was necessary between each vote where the Opposition opposes amendments tabled by the Government. 

The PN said it did this because "we believe the Government is relegating the environment instead of protecting it. 

"We are doing this because we believe that the Government 'that listens' is not listening but is riding roughshod over civil society organisations and over well-meaning citizens who want a fair balance between the environment and development. 

"We are doing this because the Government sees the protection of the environment as an obstacle to its intention of using land and planning to pay for its shady backroom deals. 

"The way the Government is dealing with the SPED as well as the three new laws that the Government is rushing through Parliament to break up MEPA are clear evidence of its intentions. As is its shameful decision to develop pristine land in Żonqor despite widespread opposition. 

"Just three weeks ago, outside this Parliament, we witnessed the biggest ever protest against the destruction of the environment. These people deserve a voice and the Opposition, tonight, is giving them a voice.

The Opposition called on the Government to see sense and to start listening. 

In reply, the government said the Opposition voted against matters it spoke in favour of during the debate. This was a political game from a party that had no arguments to make and just wanted to be negative.

On the other hand, the government accepted an amendment to ensure that Parliament could scrutinise SPED.

The people can now understand who is being positive and who is being negative, the government said.

The sitting ended at 2.52am after 15 divisions, each preceded by 20 minutes' idle waiting time.