Updated: Uproar in Parliament after MP's 'lapsus' in midnight vote - Opposition walks out
Last updated Friday 1.44 a.m.
A dramatic sitting of the House of Representatives ended at 1.30 this morning after uproar which saw the Opposition walk out of the Chamber.
The walk-out was triggered when Parliamentary Secretary Mario Galea made a mistake during voting on an Opposition motion which condemned the government over the way the contract for the power station extension was granted. Mr Galea was heard to mistakenly say 'yes' (in favour of the motion).
Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg amid uproar said that Labour MP Justyne Caruana also appeared to have made a mistake and had said 'no'. Labour MPs shouting across the floor, denied Dr Borg's claim.
As the sitting was suspended for the Speaker to hear the recording, Opposition MPs insisted they had won the vote, and walked out of the Chamber.
When the sitting resumed, the Speaker said the recording was not clear and in terms of standing orders, since doubts still existed, he was calling a re-vote.
The opposition motion was then defeated, with 35 government votes against. The Opposition MPs were not present.
In comments after the vote, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told timesofmalta.com that Parliamentary Secretary Mario Galea had made a genuine mistake and it appeared that so too had Justyne Caruana.
"That the Opposition is insisting it won a vote because of somebody's genuine mistake is ridiculous and unheard of," Dr Gonzi said.
He said the Speaker's ruling was correct, once the recording had not removed the doubts, and his decision to order a re-vote was the proper democratic exercise.
"Tonight's episode shows that the Opposition is not prepared to play the democratic game," Dr Gonzi said.
Opposition leader Joseph Muscat said what had happened in the House was “shameful for democracy” and showed yet again that Malta had an unstable government.
He said that as in the BWSC case, the government wanted to change the rules until it got the result which suited it.
MUSCAT PROTESTS OVER MP'S 'CONFLICT OF INTEREST'
The vote had been delayed to after midnight after Dr Muscat raised a point of order at 9 p.m. and requested a ruling from the Speaker on whether Nationalist MP Charlo' Bonnici could vote, in view of a conflict of interest.
He pointed out that both Standing Orders and the Code of Ethics said that in circumstances where they had a direct pecuniary interest, MPs should declare such interest and may not vote. The same was said in Erskine May, the 'bible' of parliamentary procedure.
Dr Muscat said Mr Bonnici was HR Manager at Care Malta Ltd. His direct superior was the CEO, Alex Tranter, who was also chairman of Enemalta. Furthermore, Care Malta was owned by Zaren Vassallo, and Vassallo Builders were the civil works contractors of BWSC for the building of the power station extension.
Intervening, Foreign Minister Tonio Borg said that he did not see any direct, or even indirect pecuniary interest with the subject matter of the motion.
The sitting was suspended while the Speaker, Michael Frendo, who was presiding only the fifth sitting since his appointment, considered his ruling.
In his ruling, given three hours later at 12.08 a.m. the Speaker said he had seen Mr Bonnici's declaration of assets and confirmed that he was employed by Care Malta Ltd.
However Care Malta was not mentioned in the report by the Auditor Gneral on the power station extension contract and the Chair therefore felt that Mr Bonnici did not have a direct pecuniary interest and should be allowed to vote.
WINDING UP SPEECH
During his winding up speech during the debate, Dr Muscat said he could not see how any MP who truly represented the people could vote against the opposition motion, which condemned the government over the way the power station extension contract was awarded..
He said that while the government had claimed that it stopped work on the power station extension until the auditor's inquiry was completed, it had actually signed the contract with BWSC on the same day that the inquiry started, and it had presented the project to Mepa, which issued an outline development permit.
The government, he said, had opted for technology which existed before, but was actually a prototype because its units had never been combined like they would be in Malta.
While the auditor found no hard evidence of corruption in the contract, he complained of lack of cooperation from a number of persons who claimed to have forgotten what had taken place, particularly BWSC representative Joseph Mizzi.
Clearly, Mr Mizzi had an early copy of the specifications for the power station extension, but the auditor was unable to establish the source of the leak at Enemalta.
The auditor went so far as to declare he did not believe all those who spoke before him, including some Enemalta officials.
It was shameful, Dr Muscat said, that the so-called experts had not looked up BWSC and its reputation when considering the tender. Neither had they done so for independent consultant company Lehmeyer, which was even blacklisted by the World Bank and which once also had Mr Mizzi as its local representative. The auditor found that the Lehmeyer comments were instrumental in the selection of the bidder.
Dr Muscat recalled that as far back as 2006 Dr Gatt has said that a gas operated power station was the best way forward, yet the government had strangely then opted for a power station that operated on heavy fuel oil.
The urgency for the installation of an extension of the power station was only the result of the government's failure to act earlier, Dr Muscat said.
It was telling that the auditor had said that the tendering process should have been stopped once the emissions thresholds were changed in 2008. The change had had a direct impact on the tendering process, the auditor had said. The EU itself was conducting an inquiry in this regard.
The leader of the opposition said the government had not denied that the power station would produce 31 tons of flyash every day. And the hazardous nature was confirmed by Finance Minister Tonio Fenech himself, who said that shipment would be in specially sealed containers. And it had been revealed that the government did not yet have a waste disposal contract.
Dr Muscat said the auditor had confirmed that a gas plant would have been the cleanest technology and would have occupied the smallest footprint at Delimara.
Indeed, the government appeared to accept that the chosen plant was not the best for the environment, but it was claiming that it was most cost-effective. But this was not true.
The tender was based on a formula which gave 75 percent weighting to finances and just 25 per cent to other areas such as technology and the environment. Enemalta had claimed that the Contracts Department set that formula, yet that department, somehow, did not intervene in such contracts.
This whole funding issue was flawed, including the claim that the maintenance agreement would cost €18 million. The auditor had not found a direct link between the main contract and the proposed maintenance contract and the auditor said there could actually be a discrepancy of 40%.
The government, Dr Muscat said, could surely have found the money to build a power station which did not pose a hazard to the people's health, in the same way as it found the money for a roofless theatre, a new parliament, and loans to Greece.
It was humiliating, Dr Muscat said, that the government had to request BWSC permission to publish the contract and that BWSC only agreed to the publication of parts of the contract and only one copy could be produced.
The opposition, he said, was scanning the contract and would hand out copies to the press. BSC could try suing it, if it wished.
Concluding, Dr Muscat said the auditor's report had proved the claims made by the Labour Party and he therefore could not see how any MP who represented the people could vote against the motion.
148 Comments
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lzammit
May 8th 2010, 21:40
Mario Galea inadvertently said YES when voting and immediately tried to correct that. What's wrong with that? Do you think he wanted to vote for the PL motion? Ha ha!! Where is the democratic sense of all the PL bloggers.
E Vella
May 8th 2010, 18:46
my question is:
what did Justyne Caruana wanted to vote? and what vote wanted Mario Galea?
If both of them made a geniune mistake... they change their vote immediately (obviously). If mario Galea really wanted to vote against the government, he would have voted the same during the re-vote.
I find it ridiculous and funny "li tipprova twaqqa gvern" because of a vote mistake. let's not be childish anymore guys. grow up....
S Vella
May 11th 2010, 09:55
@ E Vella
Justyne Caruana DID NOT MAKE ANY MISTAKES AT ALL!! Listen to the recording and you will know. That was all made up by the antidemocration Nationalist members to confuse the whole situation because the vote was in favour of the LP with Mario Galea's "CLEAR YES" on which there was no doubt!! Maliciously the nationalists MP's created a doubt so that Mr speaker did the farse he did because the vote had been taken and that was final.
If Mario Galea voted YES why is it that you cannot accept that as a fact? why are you saying it was a mistake? Cant a PN member vote in favour of the opposition? if it is taken for granted that all on the PN side vote NO and all those on the LP side vote YES, then the voting process could have been an automatic votewithout being taken...DEMOCRACY!!! remember??
Maybe that is why the PN did not want us (PUBLIC) to have the sitting viewed LIVE on tv as the LP suggested....because at all cost they wanted to bend the rules of the house to make sure the motion of the LP would not pass!
Dr Patrick Attard
May 8th 2010, 18:37
If Justyne Caruana voted against the Opposition why was another vote taken?
It simply doesn't add up!!
A MALLIA
May 8th 2010, 17:06
X'JIGIFIERI ZBALL ? U X'JIGIFIERI TERGA TIVOTA ? X'JIGIFIERI L-ISPEAKER IMUR JISMA IR-RECORDING ? X' JIGIFIERI TGHAMILLOM IL-BUTTUNA BIEX JIVUTAW ? KULHADD IPARLA FIL VOJT U XEJN AKTAR. MELA MARIO GALEA INSTEMA JGHID IVA U TANT HU HEKK LI TAL PL QABDU ICAPCPU. MELA DAWK IL 5 LI SEMAW IL JUSTINE TGHID LE JEW NO GHAX M'GHAMLUX L-ISTESS MIL EWWEL ? ARA KIF JGHIDU META TKUN QIEGHED TGHEREQ ANKA MA TIBNA TAQBAD BIEX FORSI MA TGHERIQX. IMISSU JISTHU IL-VICI PRIM MINISTRU JIVVINTA SKUZA BHAL DIN. FIS SENA 1997 META KIEN GARA L-ISTESS HAGA EFA KIEN AMETTA LI KIEN SAR ZBALL MINN MEMBRU PARLAMENTARI TIEGHU U IL-VOT KIEN GHDDA FAVUR L-OPOSIZZJONI IMA GONZI PN MUWIC KAPACI JGHAMILA. MELA INHALSSU IT-TAXXI U I-SUR GALEA IRIDNA NIKKUMPATUH GHAX HA ZBALL MIN FLOK QAL IVA RIED JGHID LE. KEMM NIXTIEQ LI XGHOLI IKUN HEKK. PAJJIZ KISSIRTUH U NISHET IS-SIEGHA U L-MUMENT LI JIEN MALTI.
G. Mangion
May 8th 2010, 19:05
Dear A MALLIA.
No need for CAPS. You are making a bigger uproar then them.
S Vella
May 11th 2010, 10:42
Good thing you WROTE IT IN CAPS A MALLIA!!
Ma jmurx ikun hawn minn ma jarahiex cara bhal ma kien hemm min ma semghax car il-Vot IVA ta Justyne Caruana.....biex idahhal dubju u jimmina d-demokrazzija bhal ma gara fil-parlament.
Proset ghal li ktibt u naqbel mieghek mija fil mija!!
Min ikun qed jereq jipprova jaqbad ma kull tibna.....LOL
m. borg (slm)
May 8th 2010, 16:29
Breaking News:
FIFA has decided that Auto-goals will not count in the next World Cup,as adviced by Dr. Lawence Gonzi.
Joseph Buttigieg Attard
May 8th 2010, 09:38
THANKS TO GONZIPN WE ARE ENJOYING THE MOST SHAMEFUL DEMOCRACY IN OUR POLITICAL HISTORY!!!
SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!
Mariella Galea
May 8th 2010, 09:17
IBKI JA PATRIA!... ghax dawk li jkantaw "SBEJHA PATRIA ULIEDEK AHNA", qed izebilhu lilek, lil uliedek u lil ulied uliedek. IBKU PATRIJOTTI U EROJ MALTIN - ghax dak kollu li iggilidtu ghalieh gie mkisser u mzeblah. ISTHU MALTIN LI TAPPOGJAW LIL MIN HU KAPACI JZEBBLAH L-INTELIGENZA TAGHKOM U TIBQGHU ICCAPCPU
Ruben Gatt
May 7th 2010, 19:49
Anyone can get in touch with Comedy Central.......we would solve our financial issues if we put Pay Per View on this farce....
Regards
C. Farrugia
May 7th 2010, 19:47
It is really hard for me to fathom how after hearing ALL your colleagues vote NO, you find it in the least difficult to follow suit saying NO too, and *mistakenly* vote YES. (supposing you are truly on their side with conviction)!! The only good reason I can think of, for making this *mistake*, is that Mr Galea, voted instinctively on HOW HE TRULY FELT!!
A.Gauci Cunningham
May 7th 2010, 18:24
@ those asking Muscat to come up with proposals---Joseph Muscat does not really need to give you or the PN any proposals because it was the PN itself which came up with good and sensible proposals back in the nineties when during a conference the former Minister DrJosef Bonnici had declared that the government would see that by 2010 both the Marsa and the Delimara Power stations would operate with GAS and that this would be the "rigal tal-millenjuu tal-PN". In 2005 the government approved a document which ,again, said that the PN government would start working to see both PS using gas as this was the CHEAPEST and most VIABLE option. Obviously the question comes up rather naturally; Why is the PN today, when the environment is even higher on the country's agenda, contradicting its own policies? What happened between 2005 and today for this stand to change so drastically?
Andrew Cumbo
May 7th 2010, 17:57
Shame on all MP’s that voted against the motion, but the biggest shame is on those PN MP's that possess medical profession. For me yesterday’s vote of these MP’s is comparable to a doctor promoting smoking, since they voted in favour for the highly polluting power station extension by BWSC. Shame on the Vice Prime Minister, which tempted to allege a false affirmation on Hon. Justine Caruana. When he should suppose to know that Caruana comes before Galea in alphabetical order, and we didn’t hear any uproar from PN’s side when Hon. Justine Caruana voted.
The truth is that in few hours our country democracy was violated twice by the PN in government, and nobody can deny, as this is all on tape.
jscerri
May 7th 2010, 17:47
if you are answering with a yes/no vote you have 1/2 probability of getting it wrong (for whatever reason). This 'lapsus' issue can be solved by offering the voter more answers or choices and not just a yes/no one. For example they might be presented with 10 statements in which 2 of them are the 'yes' i.e. in favour and the 'no' i.e. not in favour and the other 8 statements are 'out of point' statements. Using such a method the 'sleepy' voter has 1/9 probability of choosing the wrong answer. If he chooses an 'out of point' statement he is given the chance to make a correct one. speaker and co. please note...
v mercieca
May 7th 2010, 17:34
They say history repeats itself. Some years ago the Italian Christian Democrats were wiped out because of alleged corruption. Remember the “Mani Puliti” cases?
If other PN voters, like myself and my family, will remember this parliamentary session and shall not vote for the PN in the next election, than we will give these arrogant members of parliament a reply they deserve.
But alas! I heard it several times that the Nationalist will never learn. I always voted PN since I was of age to vote, but never, and never again.
We were toying with the idea of voting AD, but now we changed our minds and we are voting PL to make sure we rid ourselves of this arrogance.
Thomas Camilleri
May 7th 2010, 16:57
What hurt's the most is the arrogance of this current government and the way it tries to bully itself amongst us normal citizens. It is clear that Mario Galea made a mistake due to his own reasons, health or the odd time but what is clear as well is that the recording was audible enough and there should not have been another vote. I am sorry but I will note vote Gonzi Pn again come next election, I do not want to be form part of this arrogant party.
GonziPn you ashamed us all. I think its time you call it a day!
m. borg (slm)
May 7th 2010, 16:17
So we have Clint Camiller and Joseph Deguara having heard the same sitting and both give a different vesion. This from gonziPN apologists.
I tend to believe that in reality it was like the oppositon said.
gonzoiPN lost the vote.
j.darmanin
May 7th 2010, 15:02
mario galea ghandu ragun jghid ma jaqbilx ma sistema li se titmexa il power station ghax hu jiprezenta in nies ta tielet distrett u nahseb biex jerga isib postu elezjoni ohra fil palament irrid jiehu hsieb in nies ta distret tieghu, bhal ma nghid id deputati l-ohra huma min huma u limma ta partit ikunu,mintoff meta kellu kwistoni ma l-istess partit tieghu haseb fin nies u kellu bzon id deputati tal palament jghamlu bhal mintoff u mhux jaraw fejn jaqblilhom.ghax jien meta nigi biex nivota nghamel il home work sew u nara limma persuna tkun tkelmet ghalija fil palament u jekk nara li deputat li kun ivotajt u narah jinteresa ruhu f'affarijiet mod iehor flok hsieb tal poplu dak waqt li kun qed nivota naqbzu .mela deputati hudu hsieb in nies ghax jekk twarbuhom,iwarbukhom
Louis Pace
May 7th 2010, 14:32
Is it a mistake or not........ let us all vote again and see if in the last election people made a mistake or not......... if the new power station is going to be bad for us or not bad for us why don't we vote........
For the PN they know that the people will vote for YES as they don't want to spend days without electricity.
For the PL they know that people will vote NO as they don't want to die young.
This would be a good election - better then the one for the Local Council.
john borg
May 7th 2010, 14:18
gonzi is treteaned democracy, and for sure he is making fun of himself because no one believe him anymore . our country is going back than rather look to a bright future. i'm sorry to say it is the modern dictatorship i'm the government i'm the law!!!! this powerstation can cause much more asthma victoms and much more cancer deaths , so to you all bunch of hypocrites let's think more about the southern people and think how many persons will be affected wrongly because if i am the prime minister i can't go put my head on the pillow.this situation means that no one can have a voice in this country . only dr. joseph muscat can give us some truth and may his voice stick in through maltese voters minds to bang out gonzi and friends from the government in the next election.
E S Attard
May 7th 2010, 13:56
Ara kemm hawn min qed jghid kontra l-gvern.. Issa nispera li meta tigi l-elezjoni, tkunu tafu fejn u lil min ghandkom tivvutaw.. Ma jistax ikun li l-poplu jibqa injorant.
Ilna 20 sena taht dittatur u meta nigu ghas si` u no, ma naghmlu xejn.
Ghal min beda jghid li Dr Muscat u shabu ma ghamlux tajjeb ilbierah u li qed jilghab loghob tat-tfal, ngharrfu li ghandu zbal! Dr. Muscat gharaf li l-korruzzjoni mhix accettabli imkien unlike Tonio Borg u Gonzi ect.
Pajjiz li qed jghix f'gidba... U kieku tghidx kemm niehdu Guramenti u nghamlu t-toroq bit-tarmak ghal PAPA. Gvern li lanqas kapaci jitkellem ghalih innifsu... Ried lil Borg biex jigdeb halli ma jehilx hu.
GVERN TAL-HABBA GOZZ....
Ahjar izzarma
Xuereb T
May 7th 2010, 13:22
Dan il-progett se jfisser id-daqqa tal-mewt ghax-Xlukkajri u l-irhula tal-madwar!For a change din il-hsara ambjentali ser issir fis-south ta' Malta!!Ma nafx kif hawn nies li jibqghu bl-ghamad m'ghajnejhom u ma jindunawx bil-hsara li ser issir; mhux biss lill-ambjent imma wkoll lis-sahha tal-poplu u l-ekonomija ta' pajjizna!Possibbli hadd ma jrid jifhem bit-tniggiz li se tikkawza u li skond l-UE irridu nibdluha sal-2020!!Dawn kollha spejjez zejda ghal pajjizna. Flok nahlu l-flus f'parlament gdid ahjar nibnu powerstation bil-gas mill-ewwel!! Hawn Malta ghalhekk QATT ma nimxu 'l quddiem ghax dak li hu abjad ma nghidulux abjad imma naraw biss il-partit!!Ma nistax nifhem kif ghax l-oppozizzjoni protestat u harget 'il barra b'kull dritt minhabba il-farsa ta' vot li ttiehed fis-suppost l-oghla istituzzjoni tal-pajjiz, kulhadd jghid arukaza imma ghax il-gvern qed jittollera dan it-tahwid u l-korruzjoni kollha, HADD ma jghid xejn!!Anzi immorru fil-laqghat tal-partit kull nhar ta' Hadd u ncapculu!!Kull min jittollera dan it-tahwid ghandu jisthi, mela l-oppozizzjoni, li qed taqbez ghalina li se nintlaqtu direttament!!Jien votant gdid u meta nigi biex nivvota, ha nivvota BIL-QALB kontra dawk li qed jittolleraw dawn l-affarijiet!X'sar minnu s-slogan ''BIEX INT TGHIX AHJAR'' ???L-aqwa li niehdu l-poter imma ha nsahhu l-but, u l-poplu jbati!!
Godfrey Galea
May 7th 2010, 11:50
I was there, in the strangers' gallery. Justyne said YES and Mario Galea said YES too, both voting in favour of the Opposition's motion. Tonio Borg stood up, looked across the room, saw Justyne and said: "Justyne voted against"! It was simply disgusting!
The Speaker's decision does not need any comments....
Mark Galea
May 7th 2010, 11:33
Dr Muscat, I had started sypathising with your ways, and hoped you could offer a clean alternative, even though I have always been Nationalist. I have noticed your childish and very irresponsible ways, though, and you seem bent on re-starting a political rivalry in the style of KMB and Alfred Sant. Will PL never learn?
charles briffa
May 7th 2010, 11:21
Lis Sur J Farrugia nghidlu li hadt ma rebah imma tilef il poplu maltin kollu ghax dan il gvern irid juza sistema ta heavy fuel oil li pajjizi ohra illhom 20 sena li bdew jaqtw minhabba riskju ta cancer kli tohloq u mbaghad tigi inti tghid il labour x rebah .Iisthi ghalik u ghal ulied ghax hekk tlifna kollha kif tlif jien tlift int u tilef l poplu kollu.
Pajjiz tal misthija fejn tidhol is sahha.
V.Debono
May 7th 2010, 11:19
Mistake??? Lapsus??? I'll try that next time I err....and just in case I'll quote Dr.Gonzi
Mario Busuttil
May 7th 2010, 11:18
Kif jista jitellem xi hadd fuq il pollution meta il powerstation ghada l anqas bdiet tithaddem...mela allura il Labour iridna vera bla Dawl...jekk ikun hemm izjed CO2 emmissions izjed milli kien previst hemmhekk intieh il prosit , imma hadd ma jista jiggudika minn qabel...nahseb li il gvern ma qisomx dawn l affarijiet...fil kaz tal bierah li kieku ma ghaddiex il vot kien ser jigi null il kuntratt ,plus il multi li nehlu u nergaw naghmlu xi sena ohra nsibu lil xi negozjatur iehor ghal kuntratt gdid....qumu min hemm forsi jkollna eletriku stabbilit ...
j camilleri
May 8th 2010, 20:03
Int tahseb veru li Il PL iridek bla dawl?
Kemm se jdum minalih jghaddi iz zmien bik GonziPn.. Qum min hemm u rrealizza li il Gvern hekkk biss jaf jamel... jiprova jikkinvinci lin nies bil mod li jaqbillu... Imma LILI LE.
QUMU MINNN HEMM
Joseph Cauchi
May 7th 2010, 11:01
When is this puerile system of voting in parliament going to be done over with and replaced by a more logical system by writing one’s vote on a ballot paper; like we all do during elections?
When we vote in elections, we can always change and rectify our vote if we have any doubt of any error in our voting; therefore why not in our highest institution?
Thus all misunderstandings, interpretations and all the ‘LAPSUSES” would be avoided once and for all.
It is a disgrace for our highest institution, i.e. Parliament to be denigrated in such a manner as was witnessed yesterday.
I am utterly ashamed by the disgusting behaviour of some of our Honourable Gentlemen (sic)!
We the People deserve better!
JC.
A.Ciantar
May 7th 2010, 10:59
Lapsus or no lapsus this contract has a stench around it only a pigsty can beat. I heard the MP's talking yesterday and never in my entire 40 years of following politics and voting both parties have I seen a government so much in disarray. I think Labour in government after an early election will not be much of a tragedy after all.
David Muscat
May 7th 2010, 10:41
When speaking with regards to health effects of the new project always keep in mind the people of Marsa. What will end up in the famous 12 containers a week as to date ends up in the lungs of Children and adults living in Marsa Fgura and surroundings (is this healthy?)
Adrian Archer
May 7th 2010, 10:33
May Maltese Democracy Rest In Peace!!! For It has Died!!!
You see the government with all the cards at hand to do whatever they like (wrong or right) and no one can touch them. And you see the opposition trying in vain to show its beliefs and proving too weak and falling prey too the government.
Parliament has become a reality show. One side says its right and the other says its wrong. The ballet of expressions is heard day in day out but nothing changes.!! For the opposition has no power to change government position...and no one from the government will dare to say no for it will be the dead men's noose.
Rest In Peace Maltese Democracy!!!!
W. Azzopardi
May 7th 2010, 10:31
jekk l-oppozizzjoni riedet topponi ghall-power station kellha dritt tghamel hekk. basta ghall gid ta Malta. Imma imbaghad wriet kemm kienet falza meta riedet li tghaddi taghha ghax deputat qal kelma flok ohra bi zball. Joseph Muscat qed ikompli jurina kemm hu tifel zghir.
R. D'Emanuele
May 7th 2010, 10:30
2/1 The worst thing about getting your heart broken is going to sleep and knowing you're going to wake up and nothing has changed. Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen. @Franco Debono, Keep true, never be ashamed of doing right; decide on what you think is right and stick to it. @Mr. Minister Gatt, It is easy to be brave from a safe distance. @Dr. Muscat, The important thing is not to stop questioning. @All, remember that, not what they take away from you that counts. It's what you do with what you have left. “Vote for democracy and against arrogance!” @Dr. Debono, try not to become a man of success. Rather become a man of value.
Mark Anthony Sammut
May 7th 2010, 10:24
@J.Deguara: If the black powder is collected, then by definition it is not emitted. How can it be collected and sealed, and at the same time emitted to our lungs? I fail to understand.
Albert Critien
May 7th 2010, 10:14
If a genuine mistake is considered genuine in parliament, which it should, then the peoples genuine mistakes with the tax departments should also be considered genuine, what's good for the goose is equally as good for the gander
Mark A. Sammut
May 7th 2010, 10:09
Ludwig Flask made a very intelligent suggestion. There is surely a recording at the Broadcasting Authority. Someone should request a copy of the recording - it is everybody's right to request and be given a recording of a broadcast - and put it up on youtube.
Then, after vox delegati we'll have vox populi, which is vox dei.
E. Azzopardi
May 7th 2010, 10:06
It seems that "almost everything" has to be engulfed in controversy in this country !! The citizens are fed up and deserve much better. The "PEOPLE" have come a very long way and although there exists a percentage of morons amongst us, the majority are clever and alert.
Do not forget that 'THE PEOPLE ARE SUPREME' and everything else, repeat , everything else, comes after.
c camilleri
May 7th 2010, 10:03
So lets say this was a lapsus, does it mean that Mario Galea has the right to change his vote? Because then this government should call early elections again since I am sure that there were more than the odd 1,500 voters who had a lapsus last general election and vote the PN into power by mistake.
Besides, lets say I am voting in the general election and/or local councils and I also have a lapsus like Mario Galea - we are all humans after all. Will I be given the right to retake the ballot paper back from the box once I have submitted it and be allowed to vote again? Anyone can have a lapsus, or?
At the end of the day, lapsus or not, it is what was voted for counts. If this goes through then we are not obliged to aknowledge any government in power since everybody can have a lapsus and realise that they voted for the WRONG government. Some realise their lapsus (or mistake) in that instant, others a few weeks or months later. what provisions are there for these lapsuses then? early elections? because we need one immediately.
Herbert J. Grech
May 7th 2010, 09:59
OOppppsss LAPSUS !!!!
Hmmm I made a mistake in the last general election. Kelli LAPSUS u ivvotajt hazin!!!
Can we please do a re-vote??
E Gayy
May 7th 2010, 22:42
Good point. If you make a mistake when you are in the polling booth, you can ask the assistant commissioners for a new ballot paper.
The democratic system is there to help you express yourself. It is not the first time that Labour have gone out of their way to stop others for expressing themselves through their right to vote.
M. Bonnici
May 7th 2010, 09:57
It is about time we have another party in the parliament. I vote for a coalition in government, so neither traditional party will have its say. I say we are fed up with the old political tactics that the government is using and go for a new tactics. Time for a change for all. We are not to be used as guinea pigs anymore. People we need to wake up. Say yes for a third party.
Herbert J. Grech
May 7th 2010, 09:56
What a shameful day for Maltese democracy. No wonder people have lost their trust in maltese parliament!!
G.Mangion
May 7th 2010, 09:55
Secretary Mario Galea made a mistake, who doesint ???
But Since the mlp knew , that it was a correctable one and will correct it the mlp made a big panic in the Parlament, to be seen as MARTRI !! Muscat this wont lead you nowhere,
Game Over.
A.Calleja
May 7th 2010, 09:53
Fejn huma l-NGOs ambjentali?? Fejn huma l-Kunsilliera ta' l-irhula fin-nofsinhar ta' Malta? Kif kulhadd rieqed u sieket ghal din il-qerda ambjentali u hsara ghal sahhitna? Pajjiz rieqed.... hlief il-Parlamentari li kienu qed jaghmlu l-fares fis-1.30 ta' filghodu!!
Fenech M D
May 7th 2010, 09:52
Ara jridux jigu tal-PN fl-Elezzjonijiet tal-Parlament Ewropew jghidu li l-LP jiehu zball meta jivvota!!
Dawn id-deputati suppost qed jirraprezentaw lil Poplu u fl-opinjoni tieghi iz-zewg partiti zbaljaw
1 Fuq ir-radju insema' car u tond li Mario Galea ivvota favur il-mozzjoni - ma tinzillix li ghamel zball meta jaf li l-PN kien kontra.
2 Il-LP ma missux telaq il-barra mill-Parlament, imma nsista li ma ssirx votazzjoni ohra.
Allura nghid jien dal-Gvern hadd ma jista' ghalih? Jista' jibqa' jaghmel li jrid? L-Unijoni Ewropeja ma tistax taqbez ghac-Cittadin Malti li se jkollu jibla dak il-velenu kollu? M'hemmx regoli fl-Unjoni Ewropeja favur l-ambjent?
Fejn hu Franco Debono? Nesa meta qal (hedded) lil Gvern li jista' jinsiha li hu se jivvota mozzjoni favur il-Power Station? Inxtara? Jew ghamlulu sarima ma' halqu?
In-nies ma tinsiex...... elezzjoni ohra l-elettorat jitkellem mod iehor.
d.attard
May 7th 2010, 09:44
It is sad to see how a key contract that seems to have been bulldozed through so many layers of statehood should have come a final cropper at an anemic parliament.
It is now perhaps time for statesmen ... to get us through a 'sober' election and a government that can use its energy positevly by taking active responsibility of our nation, and an opposition that can finally rest its collective knackered limbs as it is delivered from its defence of saguine lobbies, to hopefully regenerate its soul in due course.
Yet what is unfortunately on the cards is 'anything less' that may continue to see our state paying a heavy price for the possible unilateral interests of bored and clueless extra-parliamentary power.
JOe VELLA
May 7th 2010, 09:44
Today I was watching the British Prime minster entering 10 Downing Street. A reporter asked: ''Mr. Brown when are you going to resign?''
Yes yesterday He knew it all, today they want him out.
Please Mr. Prime minister take note!!!!!!!!!!!!!
S.J. Scicluna
May 7th 2010, 09:38
does anyone has the recording and place it on youtube so we can come to our own conclusion, please?
John Borg
May 7th 2010, 09:34
It seems that history does repeat itself. Lest we forget! When one of the Marsa coal operated Boilers was installed it was also a prototype. So was the reverese osmosis plant at Ghar Lapsi. Look at what the peoples of Marsa, Hamrun and the Harbour Area have been suffering for all these years because of bad decisions. I wonder whether there were any conflicts of interest when the Foster Wheeler contracts for the Marsa Power Station were Awarded?
Carl Camilleri
May 7th 2010, 09:32
This is absolutely ridiculous. Can someone explain to me why the oposition walked out of parliament in a rage just because the speaker asked to listen to a recording of the votes? And since Mario Galea obviously made a mistake in his vote (he corrected his version in the next vote ten minutes later) why does Joseph Muscat insist that the motion passed and the vote was won by labour when it obviously wasn't? I understand that he was dissappointed when no PN MP agreed in substance with his motion, but I believe that his reaction was childish to say the least.
N Spiteri
May 7th 2010, 09:28
Tal-misthija!! Kull min hu Nazzjonalist ta rieda tajba ghandu jammetti li qatt ma kellna gvern arroganti u korrot daqs kemm ghadna llum. Din hija provokazzjoni cara biex il LP jaqa fin-nassa tal-vjolenza, din hija l-ahhar arma ta dan il-gvern miskin. Kull min jaghti l-appogg lil dan il gvern fil-present, imissu jisthi!
v mercieca
May 7th 2010, 09:27
They say history repeats itself. Some years ago the Italian Christian Democrats were wiped out because of corruption. Remember the “Mani Puliti” cases?
If other PN voters, like myself and my family, will remember this parliamentary session and do not vote for the PN in the next election, than we will give these arrogant members of parliament a reply they deserve.
But alas! I heard it several times that the Nationalist will never learn. I always voted PN since I was of age to vote, but never, and never again.
We were toying with the idea of voting AD, but now we changed our minds and we are voting PL to make sure we rid ourselves of this corrupt government.
Etienne Bonanno
May 7th 2010, 09:25
And this is this the country's highest institution? I've seen more dignified behaviour on a children's playground.
This incident makes amply clear what a barefaced sham our democracy is.
joanna farrugia
May 7th 2010, 09:24
@ t borg il partit tieghek taf kemm jaf x'hini raguni ghax kull ma jaghmel jaghmlu bl-ingann.
joanna farrugia
May 7th 2010, 09:24
i dont know why those who what hangers for carnival.the parliament is available from now on.pn used to joke cos mlp changed to pl but now pn should become pk partit komunista.the votes where recorded so no excuses pls and i hope pl continue all this cos us have rights to know all the truth.by the way dear speaker you should all of us how grateful you are to your dear gonzi.now i hope that ppl learned from all this cos these so called ministers played with our votes and didnt considered nothing only themselves.
Marisa Bugeja
May 7th 2010, 09:23
Is there a website where one can listen to this parliamentary session or other past sessions pl?
mario scerri
May 7th 2010, 09:20
Ma nemminx li kien lapsus fuq issue tahraq bhal din. Minn Gonzipn ma nistenniex ahjar il-PN huwa mkahhal mal-poter akkost ta kollox, intolleranti, ma jistma l hadd u dejjem irid li tghaddi tieghu.
Rigward Justine Caruana smajta b widnejja tghid IVA w toqghodux idduru mal-lewza. Ghamlet sew l-opozizzjoni telqet il-barra m' hemmx fejn tasal izjed meta tmeri l-fatti ghax ikunu kontrik.
Nixtieq nghid prosit lil l-speaker ghax weriena kemm hu mparzjali. Mela l-ewwel irid jisma r-recording imbghad ghax ir-recording mhux car allajbierek. Imma pacenzja min ikun qed jeghreq anki ma zokk ta sulfarina jipprova jaqbad.
K Vella
May 7th 2010, 09:20
There is a pocedure which needs to be followed, mistakes do occur.
In a democratic country you do not need to stamp your feet to make your point heard. My opinion was alla gainst the Power Station extension but when I heard the debate over the radio and for every concern the opposition made the Prime Minister answered in a very professional with clear explanations on how the process was handled and managed and how decisions were made forward.
I must say being progressive, modern, young, etc...all nice words but when I look in the substance and the way things are tackled by the Joseph Muscat there is no difference from his predeccessors.
H. Agius
May 7th 2010, 09:18
Skuzi ta...jekk il-Kap tal-Oppozizzjoni hu daqshekk cert li Mario Galea ivvota maghhom, ghalfejn telaq il-barra u ma regax ha l-vot ??? Jew jaf li kien zball genwin ?
Joe E Galea
May 7th 2010, 09:16
I heard almost allk the debate on radio. For those die hard Nationalists who didn't ever hear a word of it and don't know what they're talking about, should consider be more informed before coming in here trying to insult Dr. Muscat and the PL. Your stupid antics of hating the PL for being in the right and trying to work in favour of the country and loving your ridiculous party in government which is doing its utmost to ruin our lives, will not impress anyone. I am sure there were othe nationalist MP's who wanted to vote in favour of the motion, but it proved that they are more loyal to their chair than to their country. Those Nationalists who are happy that this motion wasn't approved, are really of low quality intelligence. Now you should be happy for having a powerstation which will make your lives 'healthier' and which has to be changed in 7 years' time and which will pollute heavily.
E Gatt
May 7th 2010, 09:08
The long and healthy debate in this democratic country of ours is finally over. The power station extension is going ahead.
A cancellation of the contract would have resulted in more power cuts – and much more justified grumbling. More grumbling would suit Labour fine as they would capitalise politically from higher costs, EU penalties being paid, loss of business and general discomfort.
It looks like the lights are not going out. What shall we start grumbling about now?
Andrew Spiteri
May 7th 2010, 08:52
Recordings which are not possable to understand .... what are they using old cassettes? What use is the recording if it does not offer a solution. As the PM stated its all a game!!
James Grima
May 7th 2010, 08:41
@ ROBERT HENRY BUGEJA, and others.
Yesterdays vote is a great confidence to our PN. Tghidu x tejdu ergajtu tellifa (bhal dejjem). Mario Galea is a gentleman, and gentlemen do not lower themselves to the opposition's level by voting against his government's proposal to modernise his country with a new, and less hazardous power station. Only the PL imur kontra il kurrent. X tistenna fl ahhar mill ahhar!!! PL is the mother of all corruption, and wrong doing.
@ Min qed isemmi li id demokrazija hi fil periklu.
Tafu meta id demokrazija kinet fil periklu? Fiz zmien id dittatorjat Mintoffjan-KMB-GWU-Dockyard Workers. Ghandna nirringrazjaw lill PN li huwa il gwardjan, u il fundatur tad demokrazija Maltija. Ghalhekk ghandna nkunu kuntenti b din ir rebha li taghti tkunfidenzja cara lill partit taghna, kif ukoll ghal Malta.
@Joe M.
Resign because you are a disgrace, even to your handful of supporters.
A. Vassallo
May 7th 2010, 08:28
This is yet another God send eye opener and a sign of how the PL is so an undemocratic party. They are still tied to the past. I appeal to all and sundry to keep remembering this episode when we come to vote in three years time. If the PL is to return to power they will BULLDOZE US ALL WITHOUT EVEN HAVING A CHANCE TO SPEAK. Do you remember an MLP representative in Parliament, crossing the floor to punch Nationalist MPs? Do you remember MLP representative in Parliament crossing over and tearing the papers with Dr. Eddie Fenech Adami was using for his speech? PL SHAME ON YOU a million times.
F.Darmanin
May 7th 2010, 08:26
To all those getting overly excited about a lapsus: Substance over form, you cannot hold an MP for making a mistake - it is so easy to happen and has happened in the past. It is the intention which counts. So unless an MP from either side of the house confirms that his/her intention was to say Yes rather than No or No rather than Yes, than, my friends, you certainly cannot claim you know anything about democracy. Therefore if Justine really said No but did not confirm so, or rather meant yes, than yes it should be. I guess the same goes for Mario, if said Yes but meant No, then all that had to happen is for the speaker (or himself) confirms his intention. If he confirms a NO then he meant a No. That is called democracy - substance over form. We are not 6 year old kids. On the contract, I have heard the debate and personally I think, from what was discussed, there is no evidence, beyond reasonable doubt that the contract was botched in some way (where it counts, since as the auditor explained, there are administrative improvements one can make). Why walk out?
Michael Neville Cassar
May 7th 2010, 08:20
Enough is enough PN stop beating about the bush do not put this country in a turmoil over your mistake. We are too poor and too small for large mistakes.
james grech
May 7th 2010, 08:18
Ghal dawk li ghandhom id dubji fuq jekk Mario Galea ivvotax favur il mozzjoni, kien imisshom qadu jisimaw id dibattitu. Jien u kull min semaw jaf bic cert li Mr Galea ivvota favur u li Justyne carament instemat tivvota favur ukoll. Dr. Gonzi stess qal li Mario ghamel zball. Imma dik hija is soltu interpretazzjoni bazwija ta PM li ma ghadx fadallu sahha, la biex imexxi in naha tieghu, aktar u aktar biex imexxi il pajjiz. Fl opinjoni tieghi, u nahseb li awn hafna nies jaqblu mieghi, Mr Galea ma hassux komdu jivvota kontra is sahha tal poplu, anke ghax jaf sew x jigifieri. Wiehed jifhem li is sur Galea pogga lilu innifsu f pozizzjoni antipatika fi hdan il partit tieghu, pero min naha l ohra haqqu kull rispett ghax ghamel dak li fil kuxjenza tieghu huwa fl interess tal poplu. Ghax wara kollox, dan il kaz ma kienx kaz ta ahmar kontra blu, jew PL kontra PN, imma tal poplu favur sahtu u kontra il hmieg u l iskart tossiku li il gvern irid ibellalna.
D Seisun
May 7th 2010, 08:18
Claiming that the recording was unclear is unacceptable in today's world. We are living in the 21st century and audio filtration techniques are available, with the mic so close to their mouths the answer could be easily extracted. I think the recording system in parliament is outdated just like the power station we bought from BWSC. Democracy at its best i might say. Some say the government has only extra 1 chair in parliament, I think they are wrong it is 2 or even more as the speaker of the house can count for more then just one chair and can manipulate all the happenings.
i.cilia
May 7th 2010, 08:17
hmm reminds of the "partnership rebah" hanzir taqtalu denbu hanzir jibqa.. frankly i had hope in this progressive movement... but it seems that the better of two evils is still the PN...
Joseph Deguara
May 7th 2010, 08:13
I waas hearing the whole session on radio and tv.. It was clear that justine woke up and said "IVA". than when mario galea's turn.... he said "No". b mistake huh?
He did nothing bad when he said Yes as this power station is a detriment to our health especially us in mxlokk. furthermore, yesterday pl leader showed what tonio fenech said. The black powder which will be emitted will not be collected in normal containers, but in sealed and secured containers as it is really dangerous... DANGEROUS TO OUR HEALTH..
SHAME ON YOU ALL OF YOU THAT VOTED AGAINST THIS PROPOSITION/ I WILL NOT GIVE YOU MY VOTE AGAIN... YOU ARE TOO SHAMEFULL..
Victor Vella
May 7th 2010, 09:08
What happened yesterday in Parlamanet was a disgrace to din l-art helwa. The people of Malta do not care with whom Carlo works. The members of parlament earn enough money to dedicate themselves to the needs of the people without the need to work for anybody. Consider conflict of interest. What the people is concerned is about their health. The power station issue is serious because it is good experiment on a small scale as that of Malta. It is a new way how to generate electricty by discarding 15 containers of toxic substances every month!!! How nice if Gonzi , Fenech and the NP regime go to live near the power station to be the first to avail themselves of the experiment. Those near the power station are the first msieken. Then if the wind blows north, east and west all Malta has to suffer. As regards Erskine May between 1996-98 Edie the king made it the dogma of how to manage the Parlament to gain mileage from the other king Dom Mintoff. Now we have another king Lawrence who is taking mileage through arrogance.
Carmel Dimech
May 7th 2010, 08:07
Pajjiz tal Mickey Mouse naghmel sew ma nisma xejn ghax inkompli nikkonferma li l-
parlamentari l avvanzi taghhom biss jaraw issa kif tigi l elezzjoni tarahom jigu jilaqghu.
V Buhagiar
May 7th 2010, 08:06
Dr Gonzi it is you who should be shameful because you are so adamant to stuff into citizens troat such a nasty affair, without any reagrd to our helath and proper governance. Simply Disgusting
Stefan Farrugia
May 7th 2010, 08:06
Lapsus or not the standing orders are clear. My children deserve better all of us deserve better. This is not a political matter. But since pl said it it's wrong. Thank god we are part of the eu ... Let's move to a country with a better representation in parliament.
Clint Camilleri
May 7th 2010, 08:06
@ victor vella
Victor, jien smajta live, u Mario qal YES u Justyene li hadet il vot qablu YES cara daqs il kristall qalet. Dan huwa attack kontra id demokrazija xejn izjed u xejn inqas
Manuel Micallef
May 7th 2010, 08:05
Forthose who were following on Radio it is clear that Justice did not say "No", but it was Galea who said yes , and the parliament went in uproar.
The Justine affair is just a smokescreen.
Lapsus?!! anyone in his right state of mind is beleiveing Lapsus?
victor vella
May 7th 2010, 08:00
Jekk dan u veru il vot intilef, imma jekk Justine bdiet tghid no u dawwret il kelma mela allura Muscat ghandu jiekol il kappell u jerga immur ghal vot
E Mifsud
May 7th 2010, 15:53
I stayed up late and heard it all, Justyne said YES and no one said anything from the PN's side, but when Mario Galea said YES the PL side all cried out. This is the TRUTH, all you have to do is to listen to ONE news. So, if there is anyone who should eat their hat that is Dr Tonio Borg, who I always believed was a serious person, but I'm not so sure anymore now.
D.Galea
May 7th 2010, 07:50
We've become a Post-democratic dictatorship, understandable given that we are unlike any European society. I'm back to watch what is going on in Greece & the UK, except that I am done dreaming.
Christian Grech
May 7th 2010, 07:49
Come on Dr. Muscat. Tibqax tghamel loghob tat-tfal ....tiggranfa ma kollox u tipprova tigbor is-simpatija tan-nies warajk billi tilghaba tal-vittma. Ohrog bi proposti maturi ha naraw x'taf toffri u b'hekk nkunu nistaw nivvalutaw min hu l-ahjar
leonard Brincat
May 7th 2010, 08:25
Int bis serjeta qed tighd lil Joseph Muscat biex ma jaghmilx Bhat tfal. Mela dak li gara il bierah fil parlament x'tighdlu .I think the only colour you see is Blu .Ghalhekk qeghdin fhix qeghdin ghax hawn nies Bhalek jaraw blu biss
Ms. Camilleri
May 7th 2010, 09:13
Meta MLP harget bil proposta biex jergghu jirrevedu r riforma tal health system, Gonzi accetta ax kien jaf li hafna mill membri parlamentari tal PN kienu kontriha ukoll u beza' li jigri bhal ma gara lbierah - PN jivvutaw favur il mozzjoni li titressaq mill PL. Kulhadd jaf xjigri fdak il kas. Hawn Malta hawn nuqqas ta xandir ndipendenti li jajd il verita.
dusty williams
May 7th 2010, 10:29
Christian
Ghal Nazzjonalist bhalek, lanqas jekk Dr Joseph Muscat johrog bl aktar proposti brillanti li qatt rajna, intom XORTA se tmaqdru u twaqqaw ghac cajt dan kollu.
Issa kelma li Franco Debono fid diskors ta filghodu insista li l power station m'ghandiex tkun tahdem bil heavy fuel oil, pero milli jidher ivvota favur il gvern. Dan xi nghidu ghalih e... dan mhux genn. Kif nistae nafdaw lil dawn in-nies li filghodu jghidu haga u filghaxija jerga jibdielom? Dan il pajjiz huwa korrott u ma nibzax nghid. IVA korrott bi gvern korrott.
Deputati manipulati minn Gonzi ghax jibzaw minnu. Dak il lupu liebes ta naghga.
Dan il poplu jixraqlu ahjar.
G Farrugia
May 7th 2010, 07:49
It would be interesting to know who supplied Mr Bartolo with all the relevant details of this case . Was it one of the competing firms who tendered for the project or some mole inside Ene Malta?
J Farrugia
May 7th 2010, 07:46
The Opposition insisted they had won the vote. Like they won the elections. Celebrating when they lost the elections. They did this three times and never learn. Even for the referendum. They claimed they won it. They won they won. What>? their seats on the Opposition benches.
C. Farrugia
May 7th 2010, 07:40
Mistake????!!!!
Let's say it was indeed a mistake........ how come it was allowed to be rectified. Many students make genuine mistakes in exams, but is any single ONE of them allowed to re-do the paper??? NOT!
We have a laughable state-of-affairs at present, or is it so ludicrous that it makes you want to cry?? God help this country....it's become similar to living on a ship-of-fools, because that is what the people are being taken for. FOOLS! Or on a more sinister note: I'm the Boss and I do as I please!!
D Seisun
May 7th 2010, 08:11
Excellent Comparison
Ludwig Flask
May 7th 2010, 20:18
3 years ago I bought a new car, but I think I made a genuine mistake. If I return it today shall the dealer refund me all money?
Charles Debattista
May 7th 2010, 07:38
Sur William Cassar, taf x inhi id differenza bejn tkun taf lil Zaren u tkun tahdem mieghu? Lasti fuq ir roti ghandu dan il gvern. Icaqlaqhom il hin kollu fejn jaqbillu sahansitra fil parlament!!
Demokrazija ?? Qas fid dizzjunarju m ghadha tezisti. NIsthi nghid li jien Malti sirt !!
Ian Bugeja
May 7th 2010, 07:35
This just reminds me of the 1989 Delimara debates..........
sandro pace
May 7th 2010, 07:32
Politics apart, this project is mired with wrongdoings, controversy and confusion from beginning to end. It does not seem to want to come to fruition. The govt. cannot see the signs.
There are better and more affordable solutions with respect to health and environment.
What happened yesterday is unbelievable, even through neutral eyes. The motion passed, and the project is already illegitimate.
A. Gauci
May 7th 2010, 07:25
Gonz and Co. inzlu minn hemm!
Ramon Casha
May 7th 2010, 07:23
I knew that Partit Gonzi was arrogant, but I didn't imagine that it would go so far as to abrogate parliament itself.
The house voted, and the bill passed.
Ludwig Flask
May 7th 2010, 07:16
...Dr Muscat said Mr Bonnici was HR Manager at Care Malta Ltd. His direct superior was the CEO, Alex Tranter, who was also chairman of Enemalta. Furthermore, Care Malta was owned by Zaren Vassallo, and Vassallo Builders were the civil works contractors of BWSC for the building of the power station extension... no conflict of interest? Amazing!
Maria Pace
May 7th 2010, 07:16
The Government apparently is not willing to play the democracy game too apparently- I heard the debate yesterday and I was utterly disgusted- Who does Tonio Fenech think he is?--> "Jekk TIFHMU, Ang, bl-Ingliz.' Clearly, no one noticed this 'lapsus.' Belittling others will not do the PN any good.
John Ebejer
May 7th 2010, 07:15
Il-kwistjoni kollha hi hmerija - Mario Galea ghamel zball. Facli jsir zball? Iva. Dak il-hin. U qed nitkellmu fuq persuna li ma tiflahx bhalissa! Mela ma noqghodux nghaddu kummenti zejda u nippruvaw nabqdu ma' fergha ta' zokk!
U din kif jista' jkun, membru parlamentari ma jithalliex jivvota, fuq 'konflitt ta' interess'? Allahares nibdew nitkellmu fuq il-konflitti ta' interess li hemm mill-bieb il-gewwa tal-Kamra, ghax kieku, hadd ma jivvota!
t. borg
May 7th 2010, 07:13
il-mlp inkixef li baqgha li kien irid jirbah bla raguni. li tohrog mill-parlament ghax xi hadd ha zball u trid tghid li erbaht hija arroganza ta' partit perikoluz.. li kieku intrebhet il-kumpanija l-ohra kienu jaghmlu plejtu li l-kontijiet gejjin gholjin issa drajnihom.
Joe Borg
May 7th 2010, 08:22
Ahseb u ara tohrog il-barra ghax ma taccettax il-kostituzzjoni li qbilt fuqha int kemm hi aghar!!!
Lawrence Fenech
May 7th 2010, 07:10
Prosit Frendo malajr dhalt ghax-xoghol. Qallek grazzi Gonzi.
Horace Calleja
May 7th 2010, 06:53
Gvern tal-misthija mimli b'membri ikkakmati ghall-poter imma KOLLHA minghajr sinsla. Malta kollha u specjalment il-generazzjonijiet tal -futur jishukhom . Fis-siegha tal-prova ivvutajtu ghall-hmieg, korruzzjoni, tbghabis, ambjent mahmug, tberbiq ta' flus il-poplu u kull haga ohra mistmerra fid-demokraziji kollha tad-dinja. Nispera li issa l-oppozizzjoni ixxandar l-istorja ta' dan l-iskandlu mad-dinja kollha biex kulhadd ikun jaf bil-hmieg demo-kristjan li jezisti f'fan il-pajjiz. Shame! Shame! Shame!
F Muscat
May 7th 2010, 06:43
U halluna!! The PL is all about PR and grandstanding! The notion of this Govt's instability only exists in the minds of the PL's strategists (!). Joe Muscat has continually demonstrated that he is nothing more than a PR merchant. He speaks without conviction, he has no presence and most importantly he has no policies and does not present alternatives. We have the sad situation where the country is crying out for an alternative and Joe Muscat and his motley crew just do not cut it. They think they can do it by spinning and using their media organizations to bombard with well worn cliches!!!
Joe Borg
May 7th 2010, 08:20
Speaking of PR and non policies. What about pre-election promises:
Ask Bus owners!
Ask Drydocks workers
Ask Hunters
Any one would like to add more to this list???
Emmanuel Saliba
May 7th 2010, 06:42
Gvern f'agunija... Vot favur il-Partit Laburista! Jghid x'jghid il-Prim Ministru, il-vot intrebah mill-Partit Laburista... F'Socjeta' demokratika, hekk isiru l-affarijiet!
R. D'Emanuele
May 7th 2010, 11:28
@Emmanuel Saliba.
il-vot intrebah favur il maltin u l-ghawdixn kollha li ghandom ghal qalbhom Il Matla u l-ambjent u mil ebda partit politiku. din ma kienetx issue politika imma issue nazzjonali!!!
fuq din l-issue il gvern ha decizzjoni kontra il maltin kollha u mhux kontra il homor jew il hodor jew il blue,.
Joseph Attard
May 7th 2010, 06:32
I do hope that Marsaxlokk and Marsascala and Birzebbuga Local Councils stand up together with Zejtun and go on warpath.
Amongst options left now are the following :
no payment of bills to ARMS Limited and let any Enemalta Employee come around and try to cut off electricity supply.......he would get Italian treatment!
No dialogue with Government of any nature unless these councils are satisfied of the technology to be used in this extension
No payment of Waste disposal bills by Local councils to Waste serv
Removal of wardens from all these localities......
A confirmation from Government that if the worst plant in the world will be commissioned there, then these localities need the best clinic or hospital in the world to stand up for all the ills up and coming from the new extension
It is time that these Local Councils stood uptogether and fought , yes actually fought this battle tooth for tooth with Government.
As for the Government of the day...you should be ashamed!
C.camilleri
May 7th 2010, 06:22
It's not about the yes and no in parliament, its about our health and the toxic waste such a plant generates. Just ask your own GP about it.
It was not only the PL motion that was defeated but also the public in general especially those residing in the south courtesy of the PN MP's.
Not to mention also the fact that the government was unable to give satisfactory answers to the irregularities and non co-operation by the main stakeholders in this affair mentioned in the auditor's report.
In the meantime we prepare ourselves to the increase of toxic waste in the air.
Again thanks for your early christmas present, dear government.
P Grech
May 7th 2010, 06:21
It's is soooo simple. The opposition should declare in public that one in office they will tear the contract to shreads and kick BWSC out, adding that that way those who have been promised commissions will loose and Malta will win a proper power staton. It easy because the PL would not have signed it in the first place. This will only force the government to re-think the contract.
Frans Zammit
May 7th 2010, 06:21
Fejn qieghed Franco Debono.? M'ghadux jitkellem ghal kostitwenti tieghu issa? jew dak li ried hadu? Ex PN voter
lgalea
May 7th 2010, 06:18
GONEZI, iktar ma tipprova biex tibqa' mwaħħal bis-superglue fis-siġġu tal-poter iktar se tkun it-tkaxkira tiegħek fl-elezzjoni u se tibqa' mfakkar bħala l-aktar gvern Malta li kellu xamma ta' korruzzjoni u li l-poplu l-aktar li emment li kellu korruzzjoni. Immissek tistħi biex wara li sraqt l-elezzjoji issa qed tkompli turi kemm int arroganti.
Imma kif jgħidu dak li tisraq ma tgawdiha għax sakemm iddum fil-poter se tkompli tiffaċċja problemi kbar li mhux se jħalluk tiggverna bil-kwiet għax kif jgħid il-qawl Malti, Alla ma jħallasx bin-nhar ta' Sibt.
ISTĦI JEKK TAF TISTĦI.
Eugene Vella
May 7th 2010, 06:15
I can see a Government who is fast losing track. Besides i can also see a Government who wants to hang on without a majority and taking all measures to hang on. Your days are past Dr. Gonzi. Give way to new ideas for the sake of democracy and all Maltese.
Joseph Attard
May 7th 2010, 06:13
We're back to the old days. We need to hit to the streets as democracy has become a farce. Micheal Frendo should wash his ears daily before going to Parliament or else well include him mal 'fidili' .
Anyway, its time for the peopleof the south to stand up and be counted. Let Vassallo and his BWSC team know that whilst theyre working inside to make our future life hell, were watching from out here!
I remeber a sad little story when a Maltese Contractor won a tender to install a reverse osmosis plant in Sigonella . The tender was issued by the Americans then. ON being grantedthe award the Commanding Officer advised the Maltese Company that they were safe inside the compound but the Italians out there are watching......... needless to say the MAltese packed up and left.......How about the same treatment to BWSC and each and every Maltese who pick up a shovel down there to ruin our childrens tomorrow.......were watching you ...and your days are counted.
Carmel Cilia
May 7th 2010, 06:07
The Labour M.P. should abstain from attending the parliament. This highest institutioon has been transformed into a 'tejatrin". Yes I think the time hase come to leave parliament to the government side and let Dr. Gonzi rule by dictatorship and then when the time comes they should all be investigated and if found guilty given what they deserve.
I also do hope that we are not on our way to follow Greece. By the way how are we going to collect the 27 million for the next three years. Is the government going to issue a special Bond. As if we do not have enough debt on our own behalf. Il-Farsa waslet fi tragedja.
R Axisa
May 7th 2010, 05:28
ergajna morna lur ghat-80ijiet. Bid-differenza li flok hemm gvern laburista hemm gvern nazzjonalista! Il-process ta' dan il-kuntratt huwa wiehed ivvizzjat mill-bidu nett u trid tkun veru ghami biex ma tarax dan! Rigward dawk kollha li tkellmu fuq konflitt ta' interess, dan il-konflitt ta' interess partikolari fejn hemm il-kelma 'pecuniary' huwa konflitt ta' interess li ghandu x'jaqsam ma dhul ta' flus. Nfakkar ukoll li fl-1981, il-PN dam xhur jibbojkottja u ma jidholx il-parlament minhabba r-rizultat tal-elezzjoni, li ghalkemm ma kienx gust, kien skond il-ligi ta' dak iz-zmien.
C. Baldacchino
May 7th 2010, 02:59
Grazzi Mario Galea talli ivvutajt minn qalbek!!! Hija haga tal-misthija li ahna suppost qed nghixu f pajjiz demokratiku li issa iktar spicca qisu cirklu tal-hmir!!! Gonzi qum minn dik ir raqda u ghati kas in nies tal pajjiz tijek u ftakar li il poplu afdatek li tiehu il-pajjiz taht idejk ghal ahjar u mhux ghal aghar!!! Kull minn jaqbel ma din il mozjoni zgur li hu bla kuxjenza, Jien minn Marsaxlokk u vera muguh ma nafx kif hawn nies jibqaw itellaw lil dan il gvern mahmug li jamel x jamel hu ghal interess personali tieghu u mhux taghna u ta ulieda... Tal misthija, WARRAB MINN HEMM!!!! Inheggeg lin nies biex nibdew ninzlu fit toroq ha nsemmaw lehina Gvern minghajr nies ma jibqax jissejah Gvern..
m borg
May 7th 2010, 02:53
Heads you lose, tails you lose!
Matt Bonanno
May 7th 2010, 02:37
Wow, it's the KSU AGM at University all over again
F Sammut
May 7th 2010, 02:15
Do you seriously beleive that Mario Galea voted WITH labour ??????? It was an evident mistake and we all know it. So Joseph Muscat NEVER commits mistakes ???
Being so perfect I will vote for Labour...but of course I will not tolerate mistakes.
U hallina!
E Mifsud
May 7th 2010, 15:58
That's not the point. The VOTE counts, mistake or no mistake. Remember that this has happened in 1998 and the vote counted.
Lawrence Fenech
May 7th 2010, 02:11
Prosit ghad-democrazija li irnexxilkhom iddahhlu fil-parlament. Taghatuna gost. Vot iehor u kien iredden is-serduq.
Mark Demicoli
May 7th 2010, 02:05
Pajjiz tal-Mickey mouse! Ahna qed inhallsulhom il paga lil dawn il purcinelli, u both of them ta. Ma noqodux ninhbew wara subajna. Kulhadd jara kif jaghmel il bsaten fir roti lil xulxin, kif tista timxi f'dan il-pajjiz jahasra.
Daniel Schembri
May 7th 2010, 09:42
Well said! Unfortunately every one in Malta is wearing blinkers though and fails to realise that both parties are THE SAME.
Manuel Micallef
May 7th 2010, 01:51
Hawad il-Borma Gonz - ikakmat mal-poter akost ta kollox anke bla magoranza!
M.De Marco
May 7th 2010, 01:43
Grazzi lil kull min ivvota favur sahhet il-poplu.
E S Attard
May 7th 2010, 01:39
Malta is no longer democratic....
Biased parliament.
government dictatorship reigns.
Maria Agius
May 7th 2010, 01:37
What a sad day for Malta! is this the way PN interpret democracy? For me it is arrogance at its best. I can't believe how PN are rooted to their seat. They do not feel ashamed of manipulating the highest institution of Malta while on air, then we wonder what they do behind close doors.... Tonight democracy was ridiculed, I can't believe i misjugded so strongly when i voted for them.
I never thought this goverment would act so low.
G.Schembri
May 7th 2010, 01:31
Malta is once again losing its democracy. Gonzi has taken Malta back to the 60s and 80s, Shame. Malta has been reduced to a one party government. This is a minority government who is fast becoming a dictatorship.
G.Schembri
May 7th 2010, 01:15
Dr Tonio Borg has a very short memory, back in 1998 the same thing happened and no one said that the member of parliament had a right to change his vote. That is when half of Malta learned the word lapsus, which became the joke of the year.
Maybe when Mario Galea was voting his subconcious took over, and he voted honestly. Dr Borg had no right to interfere.
Seems LP MEPs are not the only ones who press the wrong button.
Well done Mario Galea I will consider voting for you come next election, You put the Nation's interest before that of your party.
byron sammut
May 7th 2010, 01:12
amazing how pn party does not care anymore regarding the maltese polution. Everybody knows that bwsc is the most hazardous solution towards the future of our environment. But I think this is just happening because we are only considered to be the maltese peasants who knows if in 3yrs time(election) gonzi will start u smile once again and BLUFF that he cares for the maltese voters - POPLU NISPERA LI MA TIBQAX MIEXI FID DLAM U FORSI XI DARBA TIFTAH GHAJNEK.
Jesmond
May 7th 2010, 01:02
Mhux hekk huwa l-mod li tirbaħ Dr Muscat, billi tissupervja u toħroġ il-barra..jekk kien hemm żball wieħed għandu jaċċetah u jara r-realta.
mario gellel
May 7th 2010, 05:41
zball ma kienx hemm, ghax revolver ma rasu ma kellux.. Kellu il-kuragg li jghid u jivvota favur il- poplu.
rhuber
May 7th 2010, 06:12
Short memory my friends or you are still a toddler!
ROBERT HENRY BUGEJA
May 7th 2010, 06:49
Sur Gharef, kemm ghandek memorja qasira u mcapra. Mela insejt li dak il persuna li intom taduraw kien ibbojkottja il parlament fin 1981. Dak iz zmien min kien is supperv ghax ma rebahx l-elezzjoni (fejn il kostituzzjoni kienet tghid iswed fuq l-abjad li minn kellu il maggoranza tas siggijiet seta jiggverna). Dak kien veru kilba ghal poter. Bhal ma ghandkom sal lum intkom. Tafu li tliftu il maggaronza tal poplu izda l-interess personali huwa hafna akbar mill interess nazzjonali.
Dal ghodu intom ivvutajtu biex tifgaw lil Maltin u lil uliedhom b''gass tossiku...ghalhekk Joseph hareg il barra. Min ghandu qalb u jaf ihobb jifhem ll kliem li qed nghid. Pero min ghandu interess qatt ma jista jifhem dan li qed nghidlek.
s spiteri
May 7th 2010, 08:00
ir realta taf x inhi sur jesmond li kull min semaw fuq ir radio kullhadd jaf x gara u allajbierek l speaker fir rekording ma semahiex cara . ir realta hija li dan huwa gvern DITTATUR punto e basta
S Vella
May 7th 2010, 09:26
Int bis serjeta Jesmond? Veru ma tafux tisthu n-nazzjonalisti ta! Mela nsejt li kontu intkom in nazzjonalist fin 1981 li ssuppervjajtu u ghamiltu zmien tohorgu mill kamra? il-veru arroganti! u dak iz-zmien il Partit Laburista kien qed jiggverna demokratikament ghax kellu l-maggoranza tas-siggijiet.
Li gara dan il-lejl huwa theddida serja ghad demokkrazzija ghax Mario Galea kellu l-kuragg jivvota "LE" u Justyn ivvutat "IVA", tant hu hekk li xhin ivvutat Justyn ma qamet ebda Agha fil-kamra, imma xhin ivvota Mario Galea qamet il-kamra!!
il-Gvern ta Gonzi mhu komdu xejn u kull min ghandu kuxxjenza l-bierah kellu jivvota IVA ghal gid ta sahhet uliedna u kontra l-korruzzjoni! u lil Mario nhoss li messitu din il-Kuxxjenza.
GVERN DITTATORJALI GONZIPN!!
m farrugia
May 7th 2010, 00:50
Was it a mistake? I wonder!!
M.Fenech
May 7th 2010, 00:42
I was hearing the voting live on the radio, and marking the names who voted in favour and against. While Justyne Caruana voted, there was no uproar, because she voted in favour of the motion. But when Mario Galea voted in favour, there was a big uproar, and I even heard someone swearing on the radio. Mario Galea voted in favour of the motion presented by the opposition, and so it did pass.
Ludwig Flask
May 7th 2010, 07:24
Certainly yesterday's sitting was recorded, if not safely or adequately in parliament, maybe by journalists at radio or TV stations, and maybe by enthusiasts of politics, even the same political parties. Can this recording be put on YouTube? Is there an authority whom can scrutinize this recording and inform the general public that PL has won the motion on first vote?
James Grima
May 7th 2010, 00:42
It is impossible that one of our MPs goes to vote with the reds. Another superb victory for Malta and its party in government :) Ole!!!
Joe Bugeja
May 7th 2010, 06:29
James Grima DITTATORJAT stil ta' Żimbabwe. Iktar ma tagmlu hekk iktar turi kemm il-Gvern Nazzjonalista huwa DITTATORJAT. L-elezzjoni sraaqtuha, imma m'inthomx se tagħmlu l-leġislatura fil-kwiet għax ħlief inkwiet mhux se jkollkom għax Alla ma jħallasx bin-nhar ta' Sibt.
E.Borg
May 7th 2010, 00:41
Demokrazija farsa. Zimbabwe fil-Mediterran; mhux Svizzera fil-Mediterran.
victor vella
May 6th 2010, 23:48
Jekk ghandek il kuntratt ghalfejn ma ippublikajtux mill l ewwel ?
Joseph Gauci
May 6th 2010, 22:08
Dr. Muscat, hence could you pls explain whether your own Member of Parliament, Mr. Roderick Galdes had a conflict of interest during the Mepa reform bill some weeks ago?
Stop these gimmicks as you are shooting yourself in the foot and floaters such as me will be constrained to vote blue once again.
Win points on substance not such antics!
Steve Rogers
May 7th 2010, 09:19
Joseph Gauci,
I have a feeling there are more opportunists then floaters on this island.
Keep up the good work Roderick we stand behind you!
Robert Agius
May 7th 2010, 10:20
Certain influential people finance both parties, that explains the Mepa reform thing...
is it ever in people's interest? NO - not when we have a country full of dumb people who can only see blue or red.
As a floating voter I suggest you vote green this time or note vote at all cause lets face it, you would waste your vote anyway.
William Cassar
May 6th 2010, 21:43
Int ghandek ukoll konflitt ta interess Dr.Muscat, ghax qed taghmel dan il-panic kollu biex tirbah il-voti minghalik!!! Ohrog darba bi proposta u mhux tparla fil-vojt...fost shabek kumbinazzjoni m'hemm hadd li jaf lill-Zaren allura? jew dawk ma jaghmlux ukoll kunflitt ta nteress
Manuel Gauci
May 7th 2010, 06:43
I voted my first time in the European elections and from since we where learning about democracy into school I decided to follow the local scene in order to be able to understand what happens on this island. what happened yesterday is called despotism and I was thought that Malta is a democracy if it was both labour claims of conflict of interest and the "misheard" vote where facts to give the labour victory yesterday. The power station itself since it is a harm to health should not have been considered in the first place i guess even the most PN hardliner would admit that this smells rot. The PM should thank himself that there is a niave oppostion else today we would be burning cars in the streets like in Greeece