Opposition's request for Farrugia to chair environment committee rejected

Government MPs turned down a request by the Opposition for independent MP Marlene Farrugia to retain her position as chairperson of parliament’s environment committee.

In the earlier debate, shadow environment minister Marthese Portelli moved an amendment to a government motion for Labour MP Franco Mercieca to be named as chairperson of the committee. The position has been vacant since November, when Farrugia gave it up upon resigning from the Labour Party.

“Marlene Farrugia allowed green NGOs to voice their opinions in the committee, so why change a winning formula?” Portelli questioned. “Is it because she is not a yes-woman?”

She noted that NGOs have voiced concerns that Mercieca might have a conflict of interest, due to his 10% shareholding in a property development firm, Menfi Ltd.

Marlene Farrugia herself had also proposed an amendment to the motion that would allow the environment committee to function as the public accounts committee, with an Opposition MP as its charperson.

The government’s motion also nominated Labour whip Godfrey Farrugia to take up Mercieca’s earlier position as member, essentially replacing his partner Marlene Farrugia on the committee.

Tourism minister Edward Zammit Lewis, who moved the motion, said that the law was clear in that all parliamentary committees – with the exception of the PAC – have to be chaired by government MPs.

“We are grateful to Marlene Farrugia for her contribution to the committee, and I am sure she still has a lot to contribute to the environment,” he said. “Godfrey Farrugia is renowned for his work in favour of safeguarding the environment, and Franco Mercieca has taken up pro-environment stances, such as on water conservation projects in Gozo.”

Environment minister Leo Brincat said that the environment committee had only convened 12 times under the previous administration, six of which took place in the months preceding the general election.

“In the Prime Minister’s words, the government is committed to enhancing its work in the environment sector, as it has done in the economic and social sectors,” he said. “Many people believe that the government must intensify its efforts in favour of the environment, and if it doesn’t then it is irrelevant how proactive the parliamentary committee is.”

He insisted that the committee will continue to invite NGOs to its sittings, and criticised the “demonization” of Franco Mercieca because of hi s property company shareholding.

Mercieca himself retorted that his company had actually rehabilitated an unused quarry, therefore helping the environment.

“I had said during the American University of Malta debate that no development should take place on ODZ, and I promise to try and strike a balance between environmental protection and economic growth.”

A vote was taken, during which the government’s motion was approved with 31 in favour and 28 against, and the Opposition’s amendments rejected with 31 against and 28 in favour.