Government blocks Parliament from debating Opposition Bill to implement the recommendations of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Public Inquiry

The Government today chose to use parliamentary procedure to block Parliament from debating the Omnibus Bill, the Bill presented by the Opposition to implement recommendations of the Public Inquiry into the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia.

This emerged during a meeting of the House Business Committee, at which the Partit Nazzjonalista was represented by Opposition Whip Ivan Castillo and MP Michael Piccinino.

As matters stand today, the Government has still not presented the Procedural Motion that is meant to regulate how parliamentary business will be allocated during this legislature. In its absence, the Standing Orders of the House apply, providing regular time for Private Members’ Business – time traditionally used by the Opposition to present its motions and Bills.

Since the beginning of this legislature, the Government has been dragging its feet over presenting this Procedural Motion.

Indeed, when the Government Whip outlined the planned agenda for the first days of parliamentary business during today’s meeting, no reference whatsoever was made to the presentation of a Procedural Motion.

It was only after the Opposition representatives informed the House Business Committee that they intended to use the day allocated for Private Members’ Business to debate the Bill presented by the Opposition that the Government Whip announced that the Government would present a Procedural Motion on Monday.

According to what the Government indicated today, this Procedural Motion will provide for the first 90 days allocated to Private Members’ Business to be reserved for motions presented by Government MPs who are not members of Cabinet.

This means that, through a Procedural Motion which the Government chose to announce only after becoming aware of the Opposition’s intention, the Government will effectively block Parliament from debating the Opposition Bill on the implementation of the recommendations of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Public Inquiry.

The Partit Nazzjonalista considers this a clear attempt by the Government to use its parliamentary majority not to facilitate debate, but to prevent discussion of a concrete proposal addressing recommendations arising from a Public Inquiry of national importance.

The Partit Nazzjonalista will continue to insist that Parliament be given the opportunity to debate and decide on these proposals.

28.09.2026