Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/506094
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 3 MAY 2015 10 News TIM DIACONO AS of tomorrow, Parliament will start meeting in the new Renzo Piano-designed building at the capital's entrance, the first time in its 94-year history that Parliament will convene elsewhere than at the Grandmaster's Palace. The first Parliament was formed in 1921, after Leo Amery, under-secre- tary of state for the British colonies, convinced Britain to grant Malta a Department for Local Government 26, Archbishop Street, Valletta VLT 1443 Tel: +356 2200 2300 Email: info.dlg@gov.mt The Department for Local Government (DLG) notifies that: Sealed tenders will be received at the Department for Local Government, 26, Triq l- Arċisqof, Valletta, VLT 1443, up to noon of Wednesday, 20 th May, 2015, for: Research Activities for the 'Strengthening Local Governance Project [ESF 4.248] Activities include: Internal Audit Business Process Re-engineering Skills Gap Analysis Equality Mainstreaming This tender document is free of charge and can be downloaded from the DLG website (www.dlg.gov.mt ). Bidders are to register their interest with the DLG by sending an email to info.dlg@gov.mt so that the tender document and any subsequent correspondence in relation to the tender are sent to them accordingly. Bidders may submit questions in writing up to 16 calendar days before the deadline for submission of tenders. The Department reserves the right to accept or refuse in part or in whole any or all offers submitted, even the most advantageous. Operational Programme II - Cohesion Policy 2007 – 2013 Empowering People for More Jobs and a Better Quality of Life Project part-financed by the European Union European Social Fund (ESF) Co-financing rate: 85% EU Funds; 15% National Funds Investing in your future Ugo Mifsud Bonnici: Nationalist MP: (1966-1987), Education Minister: (1987- 1990), Education and Interior Minister: (1990-1992), Education and Human Resources Minister: (1992-1994), President: (1994-1999) Two particular parliamentary sittings stick out for me. In 1974, two-thirds of Parliament voted in favour of transforming Malta's status from a constitutional monarchy into a republic. Despite heated debates, both sides of the House managed to unite and vote in favour of continuity in a sitting that I consider as an honour to the country. In 1987, we voted in favour of amending the constitution so that if a party receives most votes but not the most seats, its seats would be increased until it gained a majority. That was a crucial step in electoral proportionality. There were times, unfortunately, when words came to blows and debates became physically violent. Although I never attacked anyone, I did find myself on the receiving end. I will not speak badly of my aggressors though, as some of them have passed away, and I don't speak ill of the dead. Joe Debono Grech: Labour MP: (1976- present), Parastatal and People's Investment Minister: (1983), Agriculture and Fisheries Minister: (1983-1987), Transport Minister: (1996-1998) The day two-thirds of Parliament voted in favour of becoming a republic stands out for me. It was a break from the past and a step towards a new life, at a time when warnings were rife that a split from the monarchy would lead to Maltese people dying of hunger. However, there were other important parliamentary debates that few still remember. In the 1970s, Parliament updated the laws under which people caught committing adultery or homosexual acts were subject to imprisonment. Parliament would be monotonous if not for its great debaters, and the House has been blessed with excellent debaters, such as George Borg Olivier, Agatha Barbara, Guido de Marco, Guze Cassar and Giovanni Felice. There were a few things that had bothered me here and there, but if I had the chance I'd do it all over again. Requiem for a