THE OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER Speaker of the House of Representatives holds talks with Irish Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Minister for Children Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Speaker of the House of Representatives Angelo Farrugia and his delegation held talks with Mr Eamon Ryan TD, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communication of the Republic of Ireland.

During the meeting, Speaker Angelo Farrugia stated that, due to the current situation regarding energy, all countries need to keep working hard towards securing longer-term goals, in particular by diversifying the energy supplies, yet continuing to keep their climate targets. He continued by saying that all countries have to be prepared for any eventuality by diversifying their energy supply, ensuring adequate energy storage, and investing in clean energy.

Speaker Farrugia said that Malta is being hit by high electricity prices, particularly the cost of the imported electricity, since Malta depends on the interconnector with Italy. He pointed out that this particular situation seems not to be taken into account by the Commission and the Presidency.

Speaker Farrugia concluded by saying that, in this regard, more needs to be done to ensure that no one is left behind or alone in dealing with the current crises.

Later, the delegation led by Speaker Farrugia held talks with Mr Roderic  O’Gorman TD, Minister for Children Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth of the Republic of Ireland. During the meeting, Minister O’Gorman informed the delegation about the humanitarian assistance that Ireland gave to Ukraine when it provided shelter and safety to Ukrainian children. The Speaker said that immigration is an important issue for Malta due to its location and emphasised that this is a humanitarian issue as lives must be saved. He asked why the EU never reached an agreement or devised a common policy so that all EU countries will do their part and assume their responsibilities.

During the day, the Maltese Parliamentary Delegation led by Mr Speaker has also met the members of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence and the members of the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs of the Irish Parliament. During the meeting with the members of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, the Speaker stated that both Ireland and Malta should utilise their neutral stance as a tool of their parliamentary diplomacy, particularly in parliamentary conferences, by listening, discussing and promoting ways through dialogue to stop war and reach amicable agreements on the way forward.

The Maltese delegation accompanying Speaker Angelo Farrugia was composed of MP Carmelo Abela, MP Randolph Debattista, MP Robert Cutajar, and MP Graham Bencini. Malta’s Deputy Head of Mission Dr Josianne Farrugia also formed part of the Maltese delegation.​​

Source: Office of the Prime Minister