The last parliamentary session of 2004 was held last Tuesday. Bills of national importance were voted; the Education (Amendment) Bill and the Financial Reporting Bill. Every effort was made to squeeze in all the procedures to fit the time schedule. Regardless of the fact that they fitted in quite awkwardly. The parliamentary session started at 11 30 a.m and ended at about? 2 a.m. the next morning.

The Education Amendment Bill was voted at about midnight. There was about ten parliamentarians who debated about this sensitive subject, of supreme importance to the country. A milestone in the history of national education. That was quickly debated and hurriedly voted.

Now it would be quite legitimate to ask why our honorable members were in such a hurry to adjourn parliament till next February. MPs from the majority tell us that the leader of the House had made known his wishes that the last meeting of members of the National Assembly should be on the 23rd of November. Why? ?I am not too sure but I think it is because of the visit of Sonia Gandhi.? Says one MP. A few others, questioned, say the same thing. Oh, democracy should stop functioning every time important people visit our country? When the Prime minister of Mauritius visits India, does the Lock Sabha break up? No, so, that excuse is clearly just that ? an excuse.

Xavier Duval of the PMXD raised the question on Tuesday night. ?The Financial Reporting Bill is of prime importance. I cannot understand why debates were held so late at night when time is limited and everybody is too tired to listen to what was being said and contribute to it,? said the MP. When asked why the Tuesday session was the last one, Xavier Duval admitted that he didn?t know. ?I heard it was because of the visit of Sonia Gandhi but I don?t think so.? Says Duval although he admits to not knowing the reasons behind this.

But whatever the real reason, the official one doesn?t hold water. It is not reason enough to make a joke of parliament, of democracy. Debates at the National Assembly are meant to be an excuse for thorough analysis, for mature deliberations, to inspire and educate the nation. The parliament is a place where laws are made and amended. Where supreme importance is given to public interest. Where democracy is at its apogee. Or meant to be.

But how can democracy be served when members are in a hurry to go home and to take their Christmas vacations? ?No one can take decisions without the Prime minister?s approval.? Says an MP who admits to having fallen asleep during the debates.

These days parliament is used and abused as per the wishes of the leader of the house and his team. This must stop and must stop now. We have sent those elected members to the National Assembly of Mauritius. They represent us there. By making a mockery of parliament, they are making a mockery of us and of democracy. Fair enough that most of the time, consultations are held before the presentation of a bill and debates held in accordance with procedures. But it will do MPs good to remember that such happenings must not happen most of the time, but all the time.