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Tuesday, November 1, 2011, 13:06

Updated: Transport Minister had offered his resignation - PM

Transport Minister Austin Gatt just as he was coming out of the PN's executive council meeting last night.

Transport Minister Austin Gatt just as he was coming out of the PN's executive council meeting last night.

Transport Minister Austin Gatt had offered his resignation during a cabinet session held before Nationalist MP Franco Debono had declared his position, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said today.

Contacted for reaction following yesterday’s meeting of the PN executive committee to discuss Labour’s vote of no confidence in Dr Gatt, Dr Gonzi said that he had refused Dr Gatt’s resignation.

Dr Debono is considering abstaining on the motion in the name of political accountability.

Dr Gonzi said:

“The party electoral programme was clear that a public transport reform would happen and that routes not dependant on Valletta would be introduced.

“The routes introduced in July were approved by Cabinet and not only by Minister Gatt.

“Minister Gatt has assumed political responsibility and so does Cabinet,” Dr Gonzi said adding that he believed one could not be clearer than this as far as the assumption of responsibility is concerned.

In the meantime, Dr Debono is standing by his position but is evaluating the possibility of a proposed amendment to the motion

PN sources told timesofmalta.com this morning that during the meeting, it was proposed to Dr Debono to move an amendment to the motion which would be backed by the PN group.

This amendment would highlight the points Dr Debono made in his criticism of the public transport reform and acknowledge shortcomings. The minister would also assume responsibility.

This strategy, the sources said, would ensure that there will not be a vote on the Opposition's motion.

This would be because a vote would first be taken on the amendment and once this was approved, the final vote would be on the motion as amended.

According to the sources, the meeting yesterday considered four points - that the government should have acted on the transport issue well before Dr Debono decided to act upon the matter, that Dr Debono's actions had borne results, that if an amendment to the motion was moved, Dr Debono should take merit for it and that a position of convergence should be found.

The meeting called on the party to learn from its mistakes, and not repeat them.

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Francis Saliba M.D.

Nov 2nd 2011, 21:52

@ Henry Mifsud

I quote Hamlet without "loooking up, copying and pasting" - you do not even recognize that when you see it!

What is superfluous is your assumption that Dr Gonzi would be so foolish as to accept Dr Gatt's resignation in order to assuage the LP's thirst for power before the next election is due

Carmelo Mamo

Nov 9th 2011, 11:00

@ Saliba --- Jigifieri skont int Gonzi Ghandhu jhalli lil kullhadd jghaffeg .. basta jibqa fil poter ! JIdher li ilek ma tuza xi bus !

Henry Mifsud

Nov 2nd 2011, 18:19

Giovann, I do not want to answer for Mr. Laiviera but I couldn't help noticing how conveniently you tried to change the subject by going back in history. Why didn't you mention the fact that Charles Mangion resigned as Minister of Justice on a pure technicality because he was given the wrong advice by the AG? This you should have mentioned as Mangion's mistake did not cost the taxpayer a fraction of what Minister Gatt and GonziPN squandered on the new bus service, not to mention the apparently wrong choice of BWSC (although the chosen few think otherwise).

Philip Hili

Nov 2nd 2011, 19:44

@ Giovann Demartino

Oh!! Ommi Ma !!!! Mr Demartino, another one (Henry Mifsud) afraid of the past. Xejn, malli ssemmilhom il-passat MOQZIEZ TA' GVERN LABORISTA, jiggennu, jaghmlu tahthom u nahseb li jikunu waslu fi stat li jisparaw ghal rashom ghax ikun jridu li dak iz-zmien ma jitfakkarx, jintesa; halli l-votanti l-godda li ma jkunux jghafu bit-tracedji u t-terrur ta' dak iz-zmien, u allura ma jkunux jistghu iqabblu l-hajja ta' dak iz-zmien ma' tal-llum.

James Camilleri

Nov 2nd 2011, 19:58

@ Demartino
I will let Mr Laiviera answer you. But I have to put in a comment - So according to you all is well as long as the other party in the past did not respect the electorate and the democratic process? If the then Minister was in the wrong he should have resigned. If he did not do it, it was wrong. But likewise it is wrong of Dr Gatt not to the right and democratic thing. Mr Demartino you keep on defending the party in government over every single issue, even when it is blatantly in the wrong. Youare sounding like the 3 proverbial monkeys - see, hear, utter nothing. Don't you realise you are getting more and more like those whom you are criticising for their past misdemeanours. Unlike you most people are living in the present and want to see a better present

Giovann Demartino

Nov 2nd 2011, 20:22

There is absolutely no comparision what used to happen then and the problem of Arriva. If there is one single person who wanted the reform to succeed, that person was, certainly, Dr A Gatt. He did his best and he is still doing his best to give us a decent bus service.

But torturing and murdering honest citizens, and trying to hide the scandalous behaviour of those who were supposed to defend us....there is simply no comparision.

Henry Mifsud

Nov 2nd 2011, 20:32

Philip Hili, no wonder you wrote in mixed English and Maltese. You cannot understand simple English let alone make a full argument out of it!
Why do you state that I am afraid of the past? Didn't I mention the resignation of Charles Mangion as an example? That was nearly 15 years ago !! It is you and those of your ilk (Giovann Demartino being one of them) that only mention the past in order to try to derail an argument, or so you might think. But you fail miserably when you do not tackle the present. We are living today and although we never forget the past, we concentrate on the future as this is where we are heading. Unlike the present government, which seems to think that tomorrow never comes!

Mario allison

Nov 2nd 2011, 22:33

giovann ,25 years has passed we dont care anymore, remember karen grech, remember il balavostri ta haz zebbug, remember , labour's SMU turned SAG ,and what they did at the regatta.but,we still dont care because that is history.. Just like India,Pakistan ,and every country in the world who had their dark days , yes our's were the eighty's ,we are going into 2012 . Every comment you write you remind us of the 80's and youre giving mej a headache ,have you been living in limbo these last 25 years?

Philip Hili

Nov 3rd 2011, 01:30

@ Henry Mifsud

Mr. Mifsud, that is my style of writing especially when answering a person like you. Again in Maltese because I do not know how to express myself in English!!!! Nerik, titwerwru meta xi hadd ifakkarkom fil- passat moqziez ta' Gvern Laborista!!!!!! Taghmlu tahtkom!!!! Tibzghu mill-passat ta' gvern Laborista!!

Mr. Mifsud you should be ashamed of yourself mentioning the resignation of Dr. Charles Mangion (please not Charles Mangion!!!!) You should have mentioned the secret treaty with the Communist North Korean dictator Kim-li-Sung, signed by the then Foreign Affairs Minister under the labour government - AST You should have mentioned the death of Raymond Caruana followed by the frame-up of Pietru Pawl Busuttil, you should have mentioned the case where "Vella Brothers" were ill-treated while they were being interrogated by the police at the Police Head Quarters, you should have mentioned the case were a Police Superintendent or Asst. Comm. got hold of a disabled person and dished his head in the toilet to make pressure on him to sign a statement under duress, you should have mentioned the death Nardu Debono, already pointed out to you by Mr. Demartino, you should have mentioned that during the Labour administration to have a telephone was a luxury, so you had to pay LM50 at that time as back handed money to any one on power at the Telemalta in order to obtain a telephone line!!! You should have mentioned the lists which were in possession of the labour party marked in red so that "Dear Philip" could grant a permission to the blue eyed boys of the LP to have a colour TV. ect. ect. ect.
It is true that we are living today, but as I said, you are afraid of your past in government because he, how did not live that period did not know what Labour government mean!! So you do all your best to hide past which after all is REALITY!

Mhux bilfors insemmi ta' 15 il-sena ilu jekk dawn il-hnizrijiet kienu jsehhu fi zmien ir-regim laborista!! Jekk ma intix kuntent bl-ezempji li tajtek hawn fuq, ghidli halli nsemmillek izjed, ghax il-kullana twila HAFNA.

Sahha Nerik.

Philip Hili

Nov 3rd 2011, 11:07

@ Henry Mifsud

"we concentrate on the future as this is where we are heading." Oh!! what a cheek to express yourself in this manner!!

Is your future based on "disloyalty"? The case of Dr. Emails with Ms Sabrina Agius of a private radio station is a pattern of your future? Can we have a bright future when now we are experiencing unethical behaviour from the "supposed" our future prim minister? - please refer to the exchange of emails between Ms Agius ex. employee of RTK and Dr. Muscat leader (sic) of the opposition! Is this the way how a future Labour Government going to treat private sector employees, by encourage them to be disloyal to their employer?

If this is the type of future you are heading to, No, please live this future alone. This is not the type of future I would like to see when a Labour administration will be in charge of our affairs.

Philip Hili

Nov 3rd 2011, 11:40

@ Mario allison

Another one, afraid of a PL past! From your comments, it seems that you remember quite a good number of instances under a Nationalist Government but it seems that you forget the past of a labour government. Why? Because of dementia limited for the period of a Labour government only ?!! U hallina Mario!!! O.K. lets talk of the present. Do you want to have a prime minister who instead of guide the public and show him a way how one should be HONEST, we have a person, aiming to be our future prim minister, dong the other way round?

Last example of Dr. Emails together with the journalist of RTK is enough to have an inkling of our future had Dr. Muscat be our future prime minister!!!!!!!!

Josephine Debono

Nov 3rd 2011, 13:17

Dan ma jigustikfikax... Jekk ministru aghmel hazin dak iz-zmien ma ghandnix nikkuntentaw bl-izbali izjed... illum qeghdin nghixu f'ambjent aktar sann grazzi ghal PN. Nahseb austin ikun aktar smat jekk jirrizenja minn jeddu

Carmelo Mamo

Nov 9th 2011, 10:52

Jigfieri ghax il Laour ghamlu hazin , dan hu xi precedent biex in Nazzjonalisti jghamlu l'istess ? U jien ic cucc dejjem blajt li l'inqas hazin minn tnejn kienu il PN !

Carmelo Mamo

Nov 9th 2011, 11:07

To sleep: perchance to dream: aye there is the rub ..... "


Well said dott ! ...... pity you did not find this quote and used it to answer your own comments during the divorce campaign ! or would it have been a case of "chickening out of the arguments" ...... Heads i win .. tails you lose !

Francesca Abela

Nov 3rd 2011, 14:49

It is the TUMAS group who funnily enough agents of King Long lol who are 30 per cent holders in Arriva ;-)

M Borg

Nov 2nd 2011, 10:12

Now what has Austin Gatt or Dr Gonzi got to do witjh the traffic ?

We all know that we always get , and we always had traffic jams in the morning rush hour, nothing new. We also had them before Arriva .

So why do you think that Dr Gonzi should be ashamed ?

G Schembri

Nov 2nd 2011, 11:17

M Borg during School Holidays we didn't have traffic jams in the morning and today students do not have school.

FRANS H SAID

Nov 2nd 2011, 11:21

@ M. Borg.
Let us not digress for the present. Look around you and find out what has TRULY been done.

Will commen t later, but first I give you time to think and ponder.

M Borg

Nov 2nd 2011, 13:26

@ G Schembri
@Frans H Said

Like both of you I am not satisfied with the routes at present. However I will wait for the 6th to see if things will get better.

As for the traffic jams ,we have had them on our roads since forever, so to say that we are having them now because of Dr. Gonzi , Austin Gatt or Arriva does not make any sense.

Diego Csaba

Nov 2nd 2011, 09:23

Is any of this surprising? Ive been here for 2 years and often look to the governments antics for comedic value.

FRANS H SAID

Nov 2nd 2011, 07:05

Are you truly the ordinary man in the street or just another PN apologist? Admit all of you, if you have the courage, that this mix up is omly due to the hole in the wall by your idol called Piano, thus the removal of the terminus. Put the old routes back in. The problem were the very old buses and a small number or drivers. That is what was required. That is what the people understood by upgrading, not a complete mix up.

Even now there are certain direct routes that will be re installed as there aare god almighties in the party who do not want them. Study the case before you do like the proverbial fools that rush in.

Christina Pace

Nov 2nd 2011, 08:30

really don't get the chip on your shoulder mate.

Who better to represent the people's complains than a legally knowledgable MP. Though Franco may (or may not) use his private car, this is not to say that no one is his family uses Arriva or that no one went to complain to him about it. There were many opportunities by laymen on both sides to take the action he took which however went untaken. Yet amazingly someone does something official about the situation and you have the cheek to say it was a bad thing to do. If Ninu and Herman wanted to shine they could have done the same as Franco and spoke up in parliament for the people as opposed to the opposition who monopolized the media but never took concrete action or the cabinet that in their majority denied the fiasco.

G Schembri

Nov 2nd 2011, 11:23

Lawyer Franco Debono is "the 'ordinary men in the street’ " representative. He was elected in parliament to represent us and not himself or his party. What makes you think that the persons you mentioned are better at representing us than Franco Debono. Some of them received much less votes than him in the last election, when it comes to Manuel Delia his transport routes show us how much of a good people's representative he is.

Dennis Zammit

Nov 2nd 2011, 11:45

More than right.

Franco Debono was an unknown before the last election. Now he wants to rule Malta!!

He should grow up first .

J Schembri

Nov 2nd 2011, 19:27

@ Cristina Pace :I was replying to m.borg who said that lawyers , doctors and other people who use the car should keep out of this polemic.
Now to your comment:
"Who better to represent the people's complains than a legally knowledgable MP”,that’s the problem with Franco he never (and I hope will never) had a hands on administrative job, he’s good at arguing ad nauseam. Has he ever run his own business (not office)?People who run businesses don’t fire the project leaders who always delivered and tried something which worked somewhere else but unfortunate circumstances did nothelp to make it work here.
I searched in vain to find a contribution of our MP Franco Debono during the public transport consultation process, probably he was busy planning the defence of some drug related case which is his main job.
Like many of the commentators here Franco Debono is after the person not the solution of the problem. He never participated in the discussion BEFORE the transport reshuffle which is part of the PN’s Electoral Program.
You mentioned Ninu and Hermann; when these respectable persons want to do something good for the country they either just do it like Ninu does or write about their worries like Schiavone did today on this paper.

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20111102/opinion/Reform-not-a-Second-Republic-.391884

Both these gentlemen show loyalty to the party and never point fingers to try to cause irreparable damage to their colleagues and subsequently to their party.

FRANS H SAID

Nov 2nd 2011, 07:17

Franco Debono is showimng that he is no puppet and the people should be proud of him. Do not forget that the very PM had dfecl;ared that he does not have suitable material as they all seem to be puppets. Good show Franco, Malta needs people of stamina like you and not puppets and booth lickrs. It is high time that the people of Malta stand up for their rights and not be blinded by party colours.

Carmel Cilia

Nov 2nd 2011, 07:50

Mela ma jimpurtax komplu sawtu lil poplu siehbi.

Brian Gatt

Nov 2nd 2011, 09:58

To Philip Hili - PN Lackey,

Thanks for your comment above, really and honestly thanks,

Your comment shows what is really important for the PN - Keeping the Power at all costs

Your comment shows the insensitivity the PN has towards the issues that are really effecting the people

Your comment shows the way the PN demonizes those who do not follow the regime's orders even though the said person is saying the Truth and sticking up for his constituents.

Your comment clearly highlights the reasons the people should opt for a change of goverment come the next General Election.

Philip Hili

Nov 2nd 2011, 20:07

@ Brian Gatt
Ara ma tahsibx li ser niehu ghalija ghax ghidtli qaddej, jew seftur tal-PN ta!!!! Anzi, KBURI b'dan. Taf fejn ma nkux kburi li nkun qaddej tal-PN?, meta l-PN isawwat lilna biex titpaxxew inthom!! Hemm le!! ma nkunx kburi li jien qaddej tal-PN ghax inkun qieghed immur kontra kull principju tal-gustizzja. Issa jekk trid xi ftit ezempji ghidli u naghqlalek kemm trid.

Yes it is important for the PN to keep the power because I and many others who lived the days of terror during the Labour administration do not want to spend 5 years of terror and instability under a labour administration. It seem that you have already forgot the "hacking"!!! of emails by Dr. Emails. Hallina Man!!! Diga' qieghed jurik kif irid imexxi siehbek, bazwar l'hawn u bazwar l-hemm, basta jkun jissejjah l-izghar Prim Ministru!!! U Hallia Brian. If you are of a tender age and therefore you do not remember the horrible days of a labour administration, I don't blame when wishing a change in government.

"even though the said person is saying the Truth and sticking up for his constituents." Kif taf? Mela gie qallek li qieghed jghid il-verita'? Ma qallik ukoll li jixtieq isir ministru wkoll hux?? Brian, meta timmatura fil-politika, ikkummenta. Pero' ghalissa, ahjar tghalaq halqek ghax hmerijiet tghid.


Philip Hili

Nov 2nd 2011, 20:10

@ John Attard

Yes, you are right Mr. Attard. But sometimes you can't help it and readers fall in his trap, to comment on his childish actions and thus gain publicity.

Wilfred Camilleri

Nov 1st 2011, 22:51

Buying tickets ahead of time is the sensible thing to do. This is pretty standard in most transit systems. The whole ticketing system is convoluted because of the insane decision to have a two-tier ticketing system; one for commuters with a valid ID card and one for those who don't. If this is done away it would alleviate a lot of the ticketing problems and the resulting delays caused by ticket checking and ticket purchasing from bus drivers. Drivers should not be selling tickets.

stephen koludrovic

Nov 1st 2011, 22:00

One heck of a big difference.

We already had natural hubs, in Blata-il Bajda, Porte de bombs, Paula, Msida, Floriana and Valletta.

Creating a hub in Qormi was just a useless idea that cost the commuters time, and Arriva a more fuel costs.

Lino Busuttil

Nov 1st 2011, 23:41

Bugibba is a hub and a major destination, Mater Dei is a hub and a major destination, Valletta is a major hub and a destination but Qormi????????????? Ask people travelling to Valletta going through Qormi a trip taking for ever in stead of half an hr for e.g.

Dennis Zammit

Nov 2nd 2011, 08:05

The ONLY reason for the so called 'hub' or 'park & ride' in Qormi was to GIVE Arriva a plot of prime central land to be able to park their buses during the day and especially during the night as it clearly seems that they DID NOT PLAN ahead in time enough where the buses will be parked at night.

We where used to see each bus being parked in the owner's garage at night. It clearly seems that Arriva did not realize this until it was too late.

Now, since the works at Qormi P&R where done in a rush, the road is already coming to pieces in at least 3 locations; one of them really big hole!!

Paul Giordimaina

Nov 2nd 2011, 08:06

How wou;ld you know Stephen.

m. borg

Nov 1st 2011, 21:14

They had two years to prepare the transition but it still failed, as per nationalist tendency.
.
An M.D. uses his private car not the public transport system, of all people I would expect doctors , lawyers and other professionals to stay out of the argument.
It is a matter between the government and us ordinary men in the street.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Nov 1st 2011, 22:28

@ m.borg.

I say that I am 100% in favour of a public transport service from Arriva, worthy of the Maltese public . You challenge me and demand that all doctors, lawyers and all "professionals" to stay out of the argument.

How silly of you to give your game away so stupidly! Do I need to spoon feed you and to explain to you how your comment proves that you are not at all interested in a satisfactory public transport service. You are only interested in the downfall of the government and early elections.

Wilfred Camilleri

Nov 1st 2011, 22:54

@m. borg What? We live in a democracy and in a democracy every one has the right to voice his/her opinion! Some people never grow up!

m. borg

Nov 1st 2011, 23:34

It is people like who keep making excuses for the government's short falls that make us suffer.
.
Yes it is imperative that there is a change and as soon as possible. Your kind are having it easy while we have to struggle to get by.

FRANS H SAID

Nov 2nd 2011, 07:19

They were "allowed" and created a fiasco. They were not after a better service but only to clear City Gate so that the hole would be seen better. Wake up to reality. This is not partuy dogma but a person who was mesmerised by Piano costing Malta 400 million for a monstrosity and stupidity.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Nov 2nd 2011, 09:36

@ m borg.

Pray, who do you think you are to try to impose your aspiration for a change of government as your "imperative" on everybody else and more importantly on the incumbent Prime Minister who is the only person authorised by law to decide on the next election date?

Your comment is another illustration of arrogance by someone who would also deprive all members of the professions from expressing opinions about Malta's public transport!

l vella

Nov 1st 2011, 19:49

again politics.......

but do you really believe Arriva is a modern system ? state of the art ?

why should i understand something that plays havoc with my timetable ?

i must assume you dont ride on Arriva but just commented here to show the flag !

J Busuttil

Nov 1st 2011, 20:08

I vella
Its you who is sick with politics I bet you don't even ride Arriva yes its modern but needs more shaping up but it will arrive at that stage we will still find you critisising them why ? Because you are full of politics.

Thomas Mifsud

Nov 1st 2011, 20:31

You must be joking... What your satisfied of is that the tourist get a 2 hour ride on a bus and keep going all around Malta. You forget the Local Public who wants to go for work, or to the hospital or anywhere much more important than a fun ride!!

Paul Borg

Nov 1st 2011, 20:43

Most PN die hards that praise Arriva never ever caught a bus. Yes the system could have worked if Arriva packed in another 100 buses to keep the shedule on time at the interchangers. You get off one bus and in 5 minutes you are on another. This company has been expelled from cities has gone bankrupt and bought by Deutche autobahn of Germany and all of you keep saying that it is state of the art. Ara qatt ma hrigtu mid dar !!!

James Camilleri

Nov 1st 2011, 21:31

@As usual Mr Cassar defending the undefensible and criticising the Maltese for being morons. The new system is not working not because of lack of understanding by commuters Mr Cassar but because well it is just not working. Everyone (well almost everyone) can follow schedules and decide on which interchange one should use to get from A to B. However travelling with Arriva is not just about getting the hang of how the system works but rather how it is not working - how long one has to wait and how long the journey would take one. The problem and the frustrations of commuters is the excessive waiting time. Malta is not any other part of Europe where distances are long and require interchanges. Interchanges abroad are effected to cut on waiting time and distances. In Malta they did the opposite. You are definitely not a regular commuter. Otherwise you would be in a position to assess the system better. Using a bus now and then does not make you a commuter. Thank God you weren't in with TM otherwise the revolution would have failed even more dismally. The brigade of which you form part - those who have wool over their eyes, apologists without a clue, delusional characters who not making use of the buses still want to sing the failed revolution to high heaven, those for whom criticism is bound to be due to political opposition - is in the minority. In the meantime commuters using the buses everyday still are complaining not due to lack of understanding but due to the sheer endless length of time to board a bus. This is all due to Dr Gatt's introduction of a modern transport system against all odds. A revolution which was mainly the importation of much needed new eco-friendly buses working on a half baked system.

C Cassar

Nov 1st 2011, 21:38

Arriva has not gone bankrupt in any other country. Deutsche Bahn acquired Arriva because it was a succesful company with huge future potential. Clearly you understand nothing about the transport industry.

Tony Zammit

Nov 1st 2011, 21:13

Well said, buzullotti austin gatt started from that first day you said buzullotti issa daqsek. Now eat your words ...

Paul Giordimaina

Nov 2nd 2011, 07:57

Ghandek cans Krystlke kompli ikripa forsi 18 il xaghar iehor nerga nejd FORSI tirbhu.

krystle micallef

Nov 2nd 2011, 20:30

@ paul dan mhux punt politikament imma ntlaqtu familji maltin li ragel spicca bla xoghol habba dawn il-barranin li sar fjask shih! jiena ma jinteressanix min jitla 18 il xahar iehor l-importanti li jinqataw dawn il-bzullotii u nafdaw aktar fil-prodott li joffri il-malti ghax ahna kapaci daqsom! u min jghid li l-arriva sejra tajjeb jiddispjacini nghid li mohhu maghluq u jitkellem mija fil-mija politikament

Joe Busuttil

Nov 1st 2011, 19:43

What was it that Gonzi remarked to the American ambassador about his elected MPs? When compared to the PN under Gonzi the Tower of Babel tale looks like Swiss clockwork. The crying part is when you still find PN apologists and others who clap their hearts out every Sunday at whatever Gonzi says. Don't they realize that all the squandering of money,including the notorious 500 Euros rise,which was kept secret from them, is coming out of their pockets?

Anthony Camilleri

Nov 1st 2011, 23:38

I agree 100% I vote for Charles Massa whoever this guy is to take the cabinet's place and run the country until the other bright star by the name of Joseph Muscat takes over in a few months time. But pse I beg of these to to keep a low profile as they may be snatched away by some other country to run their affairs. You never know, when Obama is voted out maybe

Angus Black

Nov 1st 2011, 19:57

"The people are asking the Government to resign"! Says who?

Are you conducting your own private referendum, Charles?

Both the PM and Cabinet are working for the good of the country while Joseph spends his time sending e-mails "for the good of the Party".

Who should resign, Charles?

The Cospicua Mayor has not resigned, pending appeal, even if convicted of the charges of nepotism and the Labour Party has asked for surrendering his membership (kicked out or resigned?) and you and your other elves are demanding Austin Gatt to resign?

Get a life, Charles.

Charles J. Buttigieg

Nov 1st 2011, 20:20

sorry Angus,

"The people are asking the Government to resign"! Says who? The majority in the streets.

Are you conducting your own private referendum, Charles? Don’t need to,the writing is on the wall.

Both the PM and Cabinet are working for the good of the country while Joseph spends his time sending e-mails "for the good of the Party".That’s your opinion

Who should resign, Charles? The lot.

The Cospicua Mayor has not resigned, pending appeal, even if convicted of the charges of nepotism and the Labour Party has asked for surrendering his membership (kicked out or resigned?) and you and your other elves are demanding Austin Gatt to resign? The Cospicua Mayor was forced to resign from the Party and he did. Nobody can force an elected member to resign except a court order

Get a life, Charles. I LEAD A NICE LIFE THANK YOU .

Tony Agius

Nov 1st 2011, 23:18

The people did NOT ask the government to resign , but the people Elected the government , and the chances are that come next Elections , the people will do the same again , because the people always consider many other things before they give their vote , not just your comments and just your wishes.

Philip Hili

Nov 2nd 2011, 01:20

@ Charles J. Buttigieg

Tkellem ghalik sur Buttigieg!!!!!!

Charles J. Buttigieg

Nov 2nd 2011, 09:16

Mr.Hili,
The people are speaking and the Country is aching. I m not the mouth piece,merely joining the people and repeating what they are saying. I hear a lot of grumbling coming from all sides of our political ambiance.It is true however that a small minority finds nothing to complain about. Which segment do you belong to ?

FRANS H SAID

Nov 1st 2011, 19:06

Insejt il- 400 milljun fuq Piano li minhabba fih sar id-disastru tal-Arriva u ta' Putirjal.

MONEY IS NO PROBLEM, ghalfejn iridu.

Charles J. Buttigieg

Nov 1st 2011, 19:20

Kevin,"Il-poplu ma nafx kemm il-miljun ta' Euro hallas ghal riforma tal-karozzi tal-mejtin fejn kollox baqa' kif kien."? Kollox baqa' kif kien? Morna lura bhall granc.

FRANS H SAID

Nov 1st 2011, 19:08

I would put it slightly different. Austin has now been imposed on the whole cabinet as all are afraid of going to elections. Is this blackmail by you know who? Everybody has a mind to think.

VIVA IL-PAR IDEJN SODI!

l vella

Nov 1st 2011, 19:54

Seems Arriva gored him ! maybe the horns were too big ?

mark borg

Nov 1st 2011, 18:45

Spot on ! plus the previous primitive service ,should have at least been abolished some fifteen years ago ! Not leaving a handfull of Bus owners do as they simply pleased !

Dione Azzopardi

Nov 1st 2011, 18:41


Oh how professional and competent are these of the nationalist party!!!

Lino Debono

Nov 1st 2011, 22:24

No vote = vote Labour......no way after governing this country against the expressed will of the majority in Dec 1981

Tony Agius

Nov 1st 2011, 23:40

Dan il kumment ma huwa xejn hlif lixka ghal voti favur il Partit Laburista , min ma jivvutax u jahsel idejh bhal Pilatu , ikun hati daqs Pilatu .

Jeffrey Borg

Nov 2nd 2011, 04:16

You are another Franco Debono, you have a right and a duty to choose and leave others to do the deciding.
What if you’re told that you will loose the right to vote? Just look at nearby Libya and see through which hell they went through to have their democracy.

Like many people you forgot the twenty two month Alfred Sant nightmare! For starters,just think about the removal of VAT and the freezing of our EU membership application. Then remember that voluminous Bidu Gdid ‘electoral manifesto’ in which we had to put up with hair brained ideas like boats passing from Grand Harbour to Marsamxett from underneath the city gate bridge, or the repeater class!

JOSEPH VELLA

Nov 1st 2011, 18:33

IDĦAQ ISSA, ĠĦAX XI SENA U NOFS OĦRA TĠĦIDX KEMM SE TIBKI

M. Chircop

Nov 1st 2011, 18:50

bir ragun tidhak naqra ta wara li ilek tibki ghall 20 sena shah, pero xejn ma nighdlek habib idhak issa ghax fl'elezzjoni li jmiss terga tirritorna ghall biki

Marco Meli

Nov 1st 2011, 18:55

Allura intom extension tac cajta????? U halluna trid!!!! dejjem tilghaqu!!!! x ma jmurx lura l pajjiz!!!! Biss sena u nofs ohra vera ha nibki, ax bir rata li sejrin ghar mil grecja ha nispiccaw!!!!

Mr leo attard

Nov 1st 2011, 19:36

@joseph vella ...... iva, ser jibki bil-ferh!

MALCOLM SEYCHELL

Nov 1st 2011, 21:06

X differenza mill l ewwel diskors li kien ghamel meta lahaq kap. Ghidt dan bniedem onest li jista jibdel ftit il Malta. Kelli zball. Kemm kien ahjar li rebah Dalli

mark borg

Nov 1st 2011, 18:33

ha ha ha he was hiding !

Ivan Mizzi

Nov 1st 2011, 18:24

Ibqa ohlom Dione.

VINCENT WILLIAMS

Nov 1st 2011, 18:30

PN always runs at all cost after political power. Since 1921 the PN never resigned from power not even when its' policies were inclined in favour of Italy during the Mussolini regime between 1922 and right up to the start of the Second World War!! And that is why the same Party governed for 12 years when their main adversary political parties had immortal sin if electors voted for such parties.

simon borg

Nov 1st 2011, 18:24

well said. but the goose seems to be more equal then the gender......Mr Dalli's resignation was brought about on false assumptions and lies, whilst Dr Gatt's managerial abilities are there for all of us to see.

the PN seems to be very much influenced by Orwell's theories

FRANS H SAID

Nov 1st 2011, 19:14

Oh Mr Vella Laurenti - do not be naive. Gonzi cannot change the cabinet. Even to appoint his minister he needed th permission of a certain RCC.

We only have a shadow PM being controlled from behind the scenes by ..............................

Brian Portelli

Nov 1st 2011, 18:29

Prosit Mark.... well said

Franco Ebejer

Nov 1st 2011, 19:36

EZATT !!!

A Dimech

Nov 1st 2011, 17:48

Good questions!!

So much so that at first Austin replied "I am not loosing any sleep over it!"

Now, we hear that he offered to resign. DO you see a contradition here? The contradiction is explained by the fact that they are doing everything to avoid an embarassment in Parliament - which they will avoid - you wait and see!

Francis Saliba M.D.

Nov 1st 2011, 17:34

The above is the "gospel" according to Paul Cassar and the insistent refrain all the other impatient LP supporters praying for a premature election for any reason whatsoever and even for no reason at all.

Thomas Mifsud

Nov 1st 2011, 18:00

Haha Mr Saliba are you serious when saying for no reason at all? I don't support any political party but its a joke to say that this government hasn't done enough to go down before the elections. It should have gone down months ago after all the bad decisions and all the failures this government is having. Come on lets get serious about our politics because after all its our own life. Stop talking colours, start accepting the truth. Unfortunately PN lost all directions and are doing harm to the island and to the people.

Alfred Vassallo

Nov 1st 2011, 18:13

@Francis Saliba M.D.
'The above is the "gospel" according to Paul Cassar'

But it is a sound Gospel. No?.....for the ones who are not blinkered, that is.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Nov 1st 2011, 19:48

@ Thomas Mifsud & Alfred Vassallo.

The very multiplicity and frequency of demands for resignations of some NP member of parliament or another, always from the LP ranks are all the proof necessary that there is no single authentic reason for the despairing pleas for a premature election so as to provide yet one more opportunity for the LP to interrupt its monotonous sequence of electoral losses.

The date for the next election is the prerogative of the incumbent prime minister. He would be foolish to allow himself to be outmanouvered by any misguided NP backbencher acting in league with the opposition.

That is the "gospel truth" - not Paul Cassar's wishful thinking.

l vella

Nov 1st 2011, 20:00

Mr Saliba M.D. , i am not praying for an election, i am just praying for an adequate bus service to take me from point A to B in the shortest time possible, without the bonus of a sightseeing tour.

Thomas Mifsud

Nov 1st 2011, 20:28

Mr Saliba, with all the long and difficult words you wrote down, no one is impressed. All I can see is someone trying to hang on to power just for the sake of hanging on, I can't see any pride of what the government has done to the country. Hope people like you will be swept away for the good of us Maltese people. When you go against the absolute majority your abusing from power, and that's what the government and Dr Gonzi's friends are doing!!

Francis Saliba M.D.

Nov 1st 2011, 17:11

You do that "explaining" to Dr Gonzi and not on these blogs, please. Something tells me that Dr Gonzi would not attach great importance to your comments in these blogs about what "good governance" is about - not with your track record of blind eulogies of your Mintoff-KMB party "right or wrong".

G Schembri

Nov 1st 2011, 17:21

Dr Saliba - Dr Gonzi and Cabinet (like you) are too arrogant to attach any importance to anyone who is not a part of their REGIME. Funny yo0u should mention KMB, He was the only Prime Minister who traveled with the people and walked down Republic Street to Parliament. Had he been Prime Minister he would have known what the people are going through. Unlike the present Prime Minister and Cabinet who are too arrogant to listen to the people and would not consider traveling with them to know what they are going through. I wonder have you used Arriva?

Victor Laiviera

Nov 1st 2011, 17:32

@ Francis Saliba

Can you provide some examples of these "blind eulogies", please? Even one will do.

Or were you just saying the first thing that came into your head?

Joe Borg

Nov 1st 2011, 17:33

@ laviera

All this fuss about resignation -- I think resignation is the easy way out for anyone -- Better if he stays there and goes through the hard work of fixing things, rather than just dumping the problem on his fellows -

iddahlu kelma f'halkhom ...... short sighted as usual -- how come am not surprised !!

A Cuschieri

Nov 1st 2011, 17:51

@ Laiviera

Kieku jirrezenja zgur li tghid li hu bahri tal-bnazzi u li kif ra d-dghajsa teghreq harab ...

B'rizenja kull ma tkun qed taghmek huwa tahrab mill-problema. Hekk ghallinqas qed jiffacjaha u forsi jsolviha, mhux iwikkiha lil ta warajh.

Alfred Vassallo

Nov 1st 2011, 18:18

@ Francis Saliba M.D.
''not with your track record of blind eulogies ''

Now look who is talking about blind eulogies. Come on again Mr. Saliba.

Joseph E Briffa

Nov 1st 2011, 22:49

Traffic congestion has been wih us for years and has not been affected by the introduction of the new bus service. A drive from San Gwann to Valetta during the morning rush hour has always taken me almost 45 minutes during school days. Take today, it only took me 20 minutes to Valetta because it is a school holiday. One could see how quiet the roads were the whole morning, simply because schools were on holiday.

G Mangion

Nov 1st 2011, 17:46

D Farrugia

Dream On !!!

G . Mangion.




l vella

Nov 1st 2011, 16:44

imma kif kollox politika tara ?

int kuntent bl Arriva ? jien le !

kieku kienu il PL l istess nghid

A Dimech

Nov 1st 2011, 16:54

the issue is the the situation is far from being 100% perfect. Speak to the people who have to use the bus service....

A Cuschieri

Nov 1st 2011, 16:56

Proset!

Mr J Xerri

Nov 1st 2011, 17:08

.... and the other 75% would then try to blame the PL for this mess

M Borg

Nov 1st 2011, 16:43

Do you live in Malta Ryan ?

Did you read or hear of the change in routes that is taking place as from 6th November ?

If you do know about them ,don't you think that you are jumping the gun with your protest ?

Ryan Dalli

Nov 1st 2011, 17:15

Mr.Borg, have you read about the type of buses that are actually coming on the 6th of November?
Do you really believe that the next 36 buses that actually pollute more than the current ones really do justice with the revolution in public transport that was promised last July?

Jon Briffa

Nov 1st 2011, 17:27

M Borg.

The people have a right to protest

G Schembri

Nov 1st 2011, 17:28

M Borg Arriva has taken us for a ride, WE WILL ALL PROTEST ON FRIDAY, to show Arriva and the Regime that we mean business and we will continue protesting until the Public Transport becomes acceptable. We have waited long enough four months should have been more than enough for the system to work well.

Toni Cardona

Nov 1st 2011, 17:33

On 4th July, 2011, some wise guy told us to "think of the hours, day in day out, week in week out, spent stuck in fuming traffic jams. The public asked us to undertake a radical overhaul and we delivered no less! We already take for granted bus stops that actually tell you what time to expect a bus to show up!''

I live in Malta as I am sure Ryan does. I have read and heard of the changes in routes that are taking place as from 6th November, as much as I have experienced all the changes that have occurred since 3rd July 2011. It's exactly because I do know about them, that I do not think that we are jumping the gun with Friday's protest. We have been treated like dirt far too long. Last week it took me 2 hours 20 minutes to get to Mater Dei, while with the old smoky bone-shaking rattling bangers it used to take me 40 minutes at maximum.

I would like to thank Ryan and the rest of the team for setting an example to all of us 'gemgem' but weak citizens.
Shame on all political parties, workers' unions and all the talk-talk-talk groups we appear to have plenty of in Malta.

Doris Farrugia

Nov 1st 2011, 17:46

Still the Gudja/Ghaxaq route nowhere to be seen.Maybe because Dr.Debono lives there?The promised X5 is not going to cater for our villages but from M'Scala to the airport.The 135 from M'Scala via airport to Mater Dei so no bus for us!!!!

James Camilleri

Nov 1st 2011, 21:48

@ M Borg

Do YOU live in Malta?

Didn't you read that this is the 4th or 5th upgrade of the routes and system in general. And that in spite of this we are still basically where we were before.
Didn't you read that there was to be a protest in August or September but that it was called off because an upgrade was in the pipeline? We cannot depend on promises any more.
Shall postpone this protest again? And again and again because we are being promised that things will finally get better?

A Dimech

Nov 1st 2011, 16:40

like SMART city 2,600 employees you mean?!!

FRANS H SAID

Nov 1st 2011, 16:06

If he is the best, what are the others - the worst?

godwin difesa

Nov 1st 2011, 16:23

I agree 100% with you Austin is one from the best ministers this country . .Hope things will be solved as soon as possible with the transport as it good for many people.

FRANS H SAID

Nov 1st 2011, 17:01

Oh Malta, cry for all of us! With ministers like el supremo who needs enemies? Malta Malta, where ar' thou Malta? Gone to the dogs because these people are clinging to power. Do they not learn that dictators are resented by the people and the PN are not better than dictators.

Do not impose on the people what you want but give them what they want.

PLEASE REMEBR ALL READERS - this fiasco is to satisfy the Piano monstrosity at 400 million.

Apart from that, during the period of the manifesto the idea was to have an undergroung terminus. Eventually, lately el supremo stated that the undergroung terminus had been shelved. So what was in the manifisto?

You are giving the next election on a silver plate to the PL. I am sure that for the first 5 years they will not do as bad as you have been doing.

Joseph Calleja

Nov 1st 2011, 16:17

Naqbel mieghek.

Victor Calleja

Nov 1st 2011, 15:53

Ga beda jimmola fil fatt

ALBERT FENECH

Nov 1st 2011, 16:03

Hurrah! According to Joe Borg, Minister Dr Austin Gatt has replaced Dom Mintoff as Malta's saviour! It seems that Dr Gatt has rid Malta of all its arrogance - that is EXCEPT HIS OWN which is still abundantly with us.

Once more, the PM is guilty of bad misjudgement. First he voted against the wishes of the electorate on Divorce and now he informs us he refused Dr Gatt's resignation when the electorate was pleading for it.

ALBERT FENECH
Qawra

FRANS H SAID

Nov 1st 2011, 16:06

You can have him gift wraped for Christmas

Luciano Pace Parascandalo

Nov 1st 2011, 16:17

funny how arrogance turns its tails into including everyone in one's wishes....kindly don;t include everyone as all of Malta :)

Francis Saliba M.D.

Nov 1st 2011, 16:39

Id-Divina Commedia ma hix dak li bil-Malti insejhulha "kummiedja" jew "farsa". Fost il-kapitli taghha dwar l-Infern, il-Purgatorju u l-Genna ma ssib l-ebda isem ta' xi membri tal-parlament Malti ghax dawn ma kienux jezistu meta nkiteb il-kapolavur ta' Dante Alighieri.

Dominic Chircop

Nov 1st 2011, 15:18

Compared to the PN strategists, Niccolo Macchiavelli was just an amateur !

THOUGH HE WAS AN EXPERT ON POWER, AND HOW TO RETAIN IT !

THOUGH HE WAS AN ADEPT AT IGNORING THE PEOPLE, BUT APPEAR TO LOVE THEM !

noel psaila

Nov 1st 2011, 15:03

proset, hekk ghandu jssir, imma is siggu komdu !!

George Calleja

Nov 1st 2011, 15:31

You seem to act like the prophet Elias!! You're always hoping and dreaming that the PN will loose the next general election. You've carried this fantacy since 1998 when after only 22 months, your fantastic MLP/PL lost an election because Alfred Sant was declared a failure by his own men. You've been dreaming since 1987 when the draconian Labour Party was doomed to the opposition for a quarter of a century. Dream on Frans!!!

Joseph Calleja

Nov 1st 2011, 15:14

Mr Cauchi you seem to be a one man brigade to save the PN. The reason the Citizens are complaining is because the Citizens (The Tax Payers), that is you and I, have paid MILLIONS of euros to get a decent Bus System. And how long do you think these magnificent buses will remain new and clean? Some drivers have already shown their true colours and they match the old ones. It is taking us three times as much time to get from point A to point B. Why not start riding this magnificent bus once in a while and find out for yourself, and please be fair and don't pick the easy routes. If you have any doubts about the incompetence of our bus system keep reading all the comments. Keep tab of how many positive or negative comments there are? The citizen is not deciding PN or PL, they want to get their money's worth. Fair enough?

C Demanuele

Nov 1st 2011, 15:22

dear JC,

i am not part of the D&GB and i acknowledge your comments. but my route is going to become worse than it was pre-arriva. and this will affect the economy as others like me will not have time to spent their income in the economy, but using the time to sleep the time we have to wake up in the morning.

and by all means, i have already met two arrogant 'new' drivers who think the commuters are just toys to be insulted at. btw i reproted on both counts.

m. borg

Nov 1st 2011, 15:28

"....we are complaining because our buses are late; yes because they are LATE!"
Do you know Mr. Cauchi snr how many have lost their jobs or how much money were deducted from their pay packet because of "...yes because they are late".
Obviously you are in a position not to suffer such loses otherwise you would keep you trap shut.

Voltino galea

Nov 1st 2011, 15:17

Waiting another year or less for a relief in JUSTICE.



FRANS H SAID

Nov 1st 2011, 15:33

what discussion? Terror is more like it.

Mr Joe Micallef

Nov 1st 2011, 14:43

Mirror mirror on the wall who is the most disgusting of all!

Certainly you Gatt with your perceived knowledge and self assigned representation of people's interests!

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