Maria Eracleous
How meaningful can an in-depth debate on a crucial topic occur in just 20 minutes?
Addressing issues ranging from the booming Airbnb business in occupied areas to the absence of mention of the occupation regime on online booking platforms, today's House Trade Committee session attempted to navigate a complex agenda.
Despite the pressing nature of these topics, time constraints became evident, leading to a hasty discussion with a set closing time of 11:30.
The Deputy Minister of Tourism and industry representatives, some traveling from distant provinces, attended the session.
However, the time allocated proved insufficient for a thorough exploration of the matters at hand.
This is not an isolated incident, as many committees face similar challenges in delving into topics adequately.
The session raised a broader question: Is it realistic to tackle eight significant issues in a mere two and a half hours, especially when government ministers are expected to participate?
The need for a structured timetable and effective planning to ensure meaningful discussions without sacrificing depth became evident.
In the end, the focus should be on the substantive approach, seriousness, and quality in addressing these issues rather than succumbing to the constraints of time.
[This article was translated from its Greek original]
