Gieh ir-Repubblika Act amendments pass through committee stage

Proposed amendments to the Gieh ir-Repubblika Act will soon come into law following their approval at committee stage.

The permanent committee for the consideration of bills met this evening to discuss and approve the amendments following discussions held within the House of Representative.

The bill will be presented for the third reading in parliament tomorrow, before it becomes law.

The amendments are set to allow more persons to be honoured.

Gieh ir-Repubblika is a society of honour with membership and honorary membership restricted to those who demonstrate exceptional merit in the service of Malta or of humanity. The motto of the honours is 'For the benefit of the Maltese.'

Maltese citizens may be appointed members of the Xirka. Distinguished citizens of countries other than Malta may be appointed as honorary members. Apart from honorary members, the number of new members may not exceed three every two years, and the total membership is limited to twenty.

While agreeing with the proposal to honour persons posthumously, the Opposition has cast doubts on the wisdom of removing the capping, arguing that this will strip off the title of its exclusivity. The Nationalist MPs have also questioned whether the amendments formed part of "some pre-electoral promises" to garner more votes.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has already nominated 11-year-old Gaia Cauchi and her team for winning the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. The decision has received mixed reactions on the social media, with some questioning whether winning a song contest should be deemed as reason enough to be honoured with the title.