'Absent' Gonzi was with Muscat on official work
Early during question time yesterday, Labour MP Leo Brincat strongly questioned the absence of Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco when questions relating to Mepa were being asked. He queried if this was a way of avoiding having to answer supplementary questions.
Mr Speaker Louis Galea said neither Dr Gonzi nor Dr de Marco were abroad.
Just after the end of question time, the Prime Minister, who had just come into the House, asked for leave of the House to point out that, contrary to what Mr Brincat had implied, he had been with Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat addressing the Forum of trade unions.
This meant that he had been engaged in official work. He categorically rejected the implication that his absence was meant to avoid answering supplementary questions.
Mr Brincat said he accepted Dr Gonzi's explanation and would never doubt his word on such an issue.
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J Martinelli
Oct 22nd 2009, 18:02
@ Joe Cassar
And what are the Leader of the Opposition's duties?
Posing for the gallery?
Leo Brincat had no alternative but to accept a fact confirmed by his own leader who attended the same event as the Prime Minister!
c. camilleri
Oct 22nd 2009, 16:23
accusations, insinuations by the dozens.
J Martinelli
Oct 22nd 2009, 14:42
The right hand knows not what the left is doing!
Just imagine the LP being in power and handling national affairs!!
Joe Cassar
Oct 22nd 2009, 14:34
Mr Leo Brincat was too quick to accept the explanation.
The PM's first duty is to Parliament, to be present to answer the questions put by the representatives of the people. No other event can even compare with that obligation.
If this duty clashes with any other committment, it is that committment which has to take second place.
There should not be any question about that.
P.Cassar
Oct 22nd 2009, 13:34
@H.Zammit
Blank minds are only able to insult NEVER to tackle arguments BUT the PN needs, really needs, blank minds like yours.
@N Calleja
At least try to tackle the points I raised.
N.Calleja
Oct 22nd 2009, 11:43
@ P.Cassar
So you are that arrogant to dictate where the Prime Minister should be? Why don't you try to take his place? Maybe you'll manage to be in two places in one go. The Opposition is like a chatterbox repeating the same insinuations in the hope of creating sensation!
Hubert Zammit
Oct 22nd 2009, 11:33
@ P.Cassar
I'm sorry but either you are so BRAINWASHED by Super1 that you see everything red.......or else you are mentally retarded or something.
P.Cassar
Oct 22nd 2009, 10:30
How funny; but is this not AGAIN trying to take people for a ride?
YOU WERE AT THE FORUM NOT WITH JOSEPH MUSCAT. Joseph Muscat happened to be another speaker. YOUR FIRST DUTY AS PRIME MINISTER WAS TOWARDS US CITIZENS to answer qustions and subsidiary questions in THE POPLE'S INTERESTS. BUT, YOU LET US DOWN AGAIN. PERHAPS POLITICALLY THIS SUITED YOU but please don't tell us banalities.