Gonzi warns opposition

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi warned the opposition yesterday that ministers would refuse to answer supplementary parliamentary questions which were not related to the original question if the opposition continued to abuse of standing orders.

He was reacting after Opposition whip Joe Mizzi called a quorum in protest after Communications Minister Censu Galea did not reply to a supplementary question. Mr Mizzi said the minister was showing arrogance.

After the quorum call when the sitting continued, Dr Gonzi on a point of order said that ministers had so far tolerated a situation where MPs asked supplementary questions which were not related to the main question, even though this was not according to standing orders. However, rules applied to everyone. The opposition were bending the rules on quorum calls and he would therefore insist that the rules applied to everyone. Standing orders said supplementary questions should be related to the main questions, and when that was not the case, the Chair should declare them to be out of order.

Mr Mizzi said it was unacceptable for the Prime Minister to claim that the opposition was acting against Standing Orders. The quorum was called because Minister Galea was being arrogant. Dr Gonzi said he stood by his statement. Standing orders applied to everyone. Mr Speaker said he was appealing to both sides to show mutual respect and respect to the institution.