Debono evaluating option of amendment to Labour motion
Transport Minister Austin Gatt. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
Nationalist MP Franco Debono will be evaluating the option of moving an amendment to the Labour motion calling for the resignation of Transport Minister Austin Gatt because of the failed public transport reform, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said yesterday.
This was the conclusion reached following a four-and-a-half hour Nationalist Party Executive meeting held last night specifically to discuss the transport reform and the motion.
This means it remains unclear how Dr Debono will vote in Parliament on the motion scheduled for Friday. He had said he would abstain in the name of political accountability.
If Dr Debono does abstain, the Speaker would have to use his casting vote given the government’s slender one-seat majority.
Sources described yesterday’s meeting as “passionate” and “quite heated” as several members of the executive team voiced their views on the subject “diplomatically”.
Dr Debono was encouraged to vote with his party against the motion but stuck to his guns. He, however, agreed to evaluate the option of an amendment to the motion. Dr Gatt pointed out that Dr Debono never spoke to him about problems, sources said.
Party members pointed out that the failed transport reform should not have had to be discussed by the executive under such circumstances but the party’s core should have met up before.
Speaking to the media outside the PN headquarters in Pietà after the meeting, Dr Gonzi said the meeting, held on the request of Dr Debono, was “constructive” and it was recognised that the reform was important for the country.
He said it was agreed that the reform had to reach the expectations of the government and the public and it was recognised there was still work to be done although the situation had already improved.
It was also agreed that there had to be methods in place to ensure necessary changes took place.
Asked if anyone would be shouldering political responsibility he replied: “I am assuming it, all Cabinet is assuming it as the reform was an electoral promise.”
Meanwhile MPs Jesmond Mugliett and Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando decided not to attend yesterday’s meeting as they felt they had heard enough about the subject.
Mr Mugliett said he would not declare his vote on the motion while Dr Pullicino Orlando said he would not be voting in favour of the Labour motion.
After the opposition filed the motion of no confidence in Dr Gatt, Dr Debono went on record saying he may abstain on the vote in Parliament, unless Dr Gatt shouldered his responsibilities.
He insisted that accountability was an essential element of democracy and one could not ignore the fact that taxpayers had forked out some €55 million for this reform.
The subject was placed on the agenda during a Nationalist Party executive council meeting, on October 20, on Dr Debono’s insistence.
Following that meeting, sources said Dr Debono reiterated his decision and the executive decided to hold another meeting that was scheduled for the following Monday to specifically discuss the transport situation.
That time Dr Debono gave his colleagues the impression that he was “softening up” because of the way he spoke following Dr Gatt’s extensive presentation on the reform and plans to improve the service.
However, when contacted later on in the week Dr Debono kept his cards to his chest, but indicated he may still abstain.
Ever since Arriva took over the public transport service, in July, the reform has come under fire for various reasons including delays and badly-planned routes.
During a press conference held on October 15 (two days after Dr Debono first said he would abstain) Dr Gatt admitted the new transport system had not worked and that the government had made a mistake.
“We were to blame. The choices were over-ambitious – we were too avant-garde, too innovative,” he told the press conference adding that the improved transport system will start operating from November 6.
Popular Stories
Old buses, drivers to return
Former Judge Ray Pace found dead
Updated: Minister apologises for...
Three new Nationalist MPs elected –...
Where’s Everybody staff is given notice
Updated - Director of Prisons submits...
Update 4 - Eddie Fenech Adami stable...
Update 3 - Woman trapped as car crashes...
Revealed...the face of a Maltese woman...
In Discussion
Old buses, drivers to return
Updated: Minister apologises for...
Updated - Director of Prisons submits...
Enemalta seeking minimum five year gas...
Protected birds shot and trapped as...
Mario de Marco, Zammit Dimech concede,...
PN postpones salaries as financial...
Updated - PM's offer to Opposition MPs...
No appeals board for first part of power...
25 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 1st 2011, 18:25
@Phil Humphries (1 Nov 2011 at 13:06).
Please try to submit reasoned arguments and not inanities about human anatomy, and speculative “may be” or your unsolicited opinion about what loyalty is, who deserves it, who shows loyalty and to whom. Your "obiter dictum" comment does not convince me to abandon my reasoned opinion so as to embrace yours blindly.
Unlike you, I do not associate reasoning with the possession of any doctorate. But, even by your type of reasoning, I am a “Doctor” just as much as your Dr Franco Debono. Even by your own fallacious reasoning I would not be a fool, either.
Phil Humphries
Nov 2nd 2011, 13:44
Dr Saliba,
If ever I have an insatiable desire to play word games I will invite you to a game of Scrabble. Ahead of that unlikely event you might want to look-up Satire, Irony, Sarcasm and, in particular, Humour.
Lighten-up man. Life is short and there's more than enough misery in the world.
I wish you good health and much happiness :-)
Francesca Abela
Nov 2nd 2011, 14:30
Fransis Saliba - what exactly are you - Dr Gatt's personal PRO?? you seem to be one of the few people who actually is happy with the service given by Arriva - hands up who disagrees!
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 3rd 2011, 09:22
@ Francesca Abela.
I am not Dr Gatt's PRO - in fact I have never spoken or written to him in my whole life.
I never said that I was happy with the Arriva public transport. I want to see it improved, I am certain that Dr Gatt is doing his best, that improvements are actually taking place - but not fast enough.
The call for his resignation is not intended to expedite matters - it actually delays progress. It is being done as the current instalment in the on-going political game of embarrassing the government and hopefully bringing about its premature downfall.
Dr Franco Debono is part of that process.
Francesca Abela
Nov 3rd 2011, 14:52
Ha Ha Francis Saliba M.D. - we are very sure you stand to lose a lot by Gatt's resignation or removal - otherwise why get so hot under the collar for a Minister? No one is indispensable, a replacement can be found, but maybe Gonzi has problems with his quote' medicore lot of MP's' and thinks that only Gatt is his shining star - NOTi
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 3rd 2011, 16:59
@Francesca Abela.
I believe that those who, like you, are so very "sure" about anything, would be a lot wiser to start questioning their infallibility.
I submit comments - just like you do - but that does not mean that i am "hot under the collar" for anything or that I believe that anyone is indispenable.
Your incorrect assumption that I "stand to lose a lot by Gatt's resignation or removal " is an example of the despicable habit of maliciously attributing unworthy motives to others. You would be more persuasive if, instead, you tried your hand at submiting reasoned arguments instead of rash judgments.
I am still searching for a suitable counter-argument to your not so very persuasive " Ha Ha".
Mario allison
Nov 1st 2011, 16:45
Francis saliba m.d. Do you really not see the reality of things or just being spiteful? Are you the same in your proffession.? Thank god you're not my doctor
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 1st 2011, 17:55
@ Mario allison.
Bigger thanks to God, that you are not my patient! I would need to be a psychiatrist to understand your presumption that I do "not see the reality of things" or how I am "being spiteful".
Paul Portelli
Nov 1st 2011, 16:17
Issa keep ypur word Dr debono.If u dont you will be giving your ok to this reuing transport systems.we who voted for you deseve to be listened.
Henry S. Pace
Nov 1st 2011, 16:15
Allow me to ask a simple question . Who are the local representatives of Arriva in Malta ?
I am sure that they had a finger in the pie when they encourage these contractors.
Arriva run various services in other countries mainly in the UK. Where they given the impression that with the Maltese people everythin goes by ?
Victor Calleja
Nov 1st 2011, 16:07
Dawra durella qasba zigarella coff tal bellus .............
joseph spiteri
Nov 1st 2011, 13:02
Are you sure about yourself Mr. Debono ?
Are you looking for propoganda?
Are you sure you are working out of your believe?
Are you being used?
What offers have been made to your goodself.?
Are you Franco Debono the man who has his own governess?
Are you playing with th public concerned ?
Give us the answers or else don't query our decisions.
Mr J Xerri
Nov 1st 2011, 11:41
"The choices were over-ambitious – we were too avant-garde, too innovative,” And no one of the experts and consultants engaged by the Government to prepare for the introduction of the new system had enough foresight to know this.!!
Joseph Borg
Nov 1st 2011, 10:26
Gatt...BARRA!
Dennis Zammit
Nov 1st 2011, 11:14
U int bhalek x'qatt ghamilt fhajtek?
Mela Il-Ministru Gatt din biss ghamel kemm ilu fil-Parlament?
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:11
@ Joseph Borg.
Next time, please, before you so brusquely order Dr Gatt to scram, please give us some warning so that we could jump out of the away so as not to risk being trampled to death in the ensuing stampede to obey your command - pronto.
Phil Humphries
Nov 1st 2011, 10:25
Dr Gatt pointed out that Dr Debono never spoke to him about problems, sources said.
Did AG really need Dr Debono to tell him that the service was in a mess ? - And would he have listened ?
In almost any other democracy the Minister concerned wouldn't need to be asked to resign.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 1st 2011, 11:06
Minister Gatt did not need Dr Debono or anyone to tell him that the Arriva transport was grossly defective. Faced with that problem, he did not chicken out - he refused to resign his ministerial responsibility. He tackled the problem head on and he is still at it. It is much more likely that the service will improve faster if he received constructive criticism at least from his NP colleagues.
Dr Debono's omission to discuss the transport problem directly with his Minister, whilst harrassing him publicly in the media, is a gross lapse of loyalty to the Minister, to all the NP members of parliament and to the NP voters.
Phil Humphries
Nov 1st 2011, 13:06
Dr Saliba,
As a Doctor of Medicine you will know why humans have two ears and one mouth. Unfortunately, Dr Gatt does not yet seem to understand the reason for those proportions.
Maybe if the Minister had listened twice as much as he spoke about his transport reforms prior to inflicting his 'avant garde' folly on a better-deserving public, then he might not be having to correct this mess.
As for loyalty... Loyalty is the trust we place in those deserving of it. - Blind loyalty is the prerogative of a fool.
Franco Debono is not a fool, he is a Doctor after all.
W Cassar
Nov 1st 2011, 13:23
@ Frances
Your comment is irrelevant !!!
We would not be in this mess if it were not for Gatt and the MT. No amount of mending, improvements and taking LATE responsibility change that... he should have resigned !
graham cassar
Nov 1st 2011, 09:06
CHICKEN!!!!
Pat Hobson
Nov 1st 2011, 08:55
Franco found a way out of the dilemma he put himself in! He has found a loophole to enable him to just pass through. As has always been said in the media by commentors from both sides, Franco is all smoke but no fire. In Maltese "Kelb jinbah ma jigdemx!" and that's what Franco is, doing his utmost to be in the limelight, and we poor Maltese sods, have to shoulder the problems of the government through our taxes!
J.C. Borg
Nov 1st 2011, 11:35
Pat Hobson - I agree with you on many points.
Franco is realising that, after all, Gatt did his best but his vision was obstructed by many 'spokes in the wheels'. For example the PL did its best to hinder the new transport system, then there were the former owners/drivers who, for sure, did their best to put a spoke in Arriva's wheels.
But there were also those, like myself, who expected a better service - which we did not receive.
Franco has to keep in mind what will be the situation in Malta if the PM decides to call it a day on losing Minister Gatt. And if an election is called early and Labour are elected in power, shall we be better? We do not know, they never told us what they intend to do. We only heard criticism from them, which is the cheapest propaganda.
Take care Franco!
maria aquilina
Nov 1st 2011, 08:46
Everyone admits that the new transport system is a flop. Yesterday I waited for a whole hour to catch the bus from Attard to Valletta.The 8am and the 8.30am bus did not come. Dr.Franco Debono must stick to his guns. No one will ever beleive him If he goes back on his words.I do not think that the remedial action which will take place next Monday will bring things to normality.
Criss Camilleri
Nov 1st 2011, 07:31
Hemm hu, beda jberraq !
Please choose the reason of your report below: