Parliament tests live video streaming, starting with Franco Debono’s committee

Suggested and insisted upon by backbencher Franco Debono, parliament this afternoon started its video-streaming testing during the re-codification and consolidation of laws' select committee.

The committee is chaired by Debono, who described the testing as "historic".

Debono, whose first call for video streaming came when the Public Accounts Committee was set to hear how BWSC were awarded the contract for the Delimara power station extension, has insisted that video broadcasts would enhance transparency.

In one of the many speeches Debono has made in parliament calling for reforms, he had criticised the Maltese parliament for being "the only parliament that didn't video broadcast its sittings".

In the wake of Debono's repeated calls, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi had written to Speaker Michael Frendo asking him to proceed with discussions that would lead to parliamentary sittings being broadcast by webcam.

Frendo had said the testing would start with the parliamentary committees, and once the quality of broadcasting would be of satisfactory level, streaming of House sittings would start.

Debono also believes that video broadcasts of sittings will also serve to make MPs more aware of their responsibility to attend sittings.

Meanwhile, television facilities were reportedly featured in the designs for the new House as part of the Renzo Piano City Gate project.

Earlier this year, Sunday newspaper reported that all audiovisual work at the new parliament is to be carried out by Greek company, Telmaco SA.

While a total of four applicants had applied, Telmaco SA was the successful bidder for the €1,405,600 contract.