Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malta

Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malta Speaker tal-Kamra tad-Deputati ta' Malta
Coat of Arms of the Republic of Malta
Incumbent Angelo Farrugia since 6 April 2013
Style	Mr./Mrs. Speaker
Appointer	House of Representatives
Term length	One Legislature
Inaugural holder	Edgar Arrigo
Formation	October 1921
Website	http://www.parliament.gov.mt

The Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malta is the collective representative of the House of Representatives of Malta. The Speaker is responsible for controlling the flow of House business and acts as "referee" during debates. It is the Speaker's duty to ensure that the rules of the House for conducting its business are followed and that all Members of the House have an opportunity to take part in debates. Balancing the right of the majority to conduct business with the right of the minority to be heard is one of the Speaker's most difficult tasks. Because it is essential that the Speaker be seen to be above party politics, he/she does not take part in debate or vote, unless there is a tie. When there is a tie, the casting vote is conventionally used in a way to promote further discussion in the house rather than ending the debate. All remarks made in the House must be addressed to the Speaker, and no Members may stand when the Speaker is standing.

The Speaker can either be appointed from within the House or from outside the House. However on appointment, if the Speaker is appointed from one of the members of the House, he or she loses his original vote within the House. For a Speaker to be appointed he must qualify to be a Member of the House of Representatives of Malta, this criterion being specifically of important consideration for those appointed from outside the House.