Alþingi staff worked 3,000 hours of overtime due to the debate over the EU’s Third Energy Package, RÚV reports. The bill’s debate lasted a record 150 hours, mostly due to filibusters led by the Centre Party (seen above). Parliament is now requesting an additional ISK 40 million ($320,000/€290,000) in funding to deal with the associated labour costs.
Parliament was busier than expected this past spring, mostly due to extended debates on the Third Energy Package, but also due to “extensive and heavy issues which needed addressing in committee,” according to a spending bill distributed to parliamentarians last weekend. The bill is being put forth as Parliament has no reserve fund to deal with the additional labour costs accrued during the period.
The former Secretary General of the Alþingi described the filibuster as “oppressive” to Parliamentary staff.
