Updated - Debono allocated five minutes in tomorrow's debate
23 speakers from the government side
Nationalist MP Franco Debono has been allocated just five minutes to speak in the debate on a motion of no confidence in Transport Minister Austin Gatt tomorrow, sources said.
The sources said that Dr Gatt has been allocated one hour and the Prime Minister half an hour. The source said that it was still possible things might change.
The executive of the Nationalist party is due to hold a third meeting on the bus service tonight as Dr Debono maintains his warning that he will abstain in the vote on the motion, moved by the opposition.
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday said he expected all Nationalist MPs to vote against the motion.
But Dr Debono wants Dr Gatt to assume political responsibility for the problems which people have had to endure because of the way the bus service reform was handled.
The Prime Minister a few days ago said Dr Gatt had offered to resign but he refused the resignation.
Following the second meeting of the executive on Monday, Dr Gonzi said the Cabinet, as a whole, was assuming political responsiility since the reform was a promise made in the PN electoral programme.
Should Dr Debono abstain tomorrow, the government will not have a majority to defeat the Opposition motion and will have to rely on the Speaker's casting vote.
Dr Debono has been calling for parliamentary debates to be accessible on the 'visual media' including television and the internet. Yesterday he said that since tomorrow's debate is of interest to the whole population, it should be televised, as happened in most other EU countries when important debates were held.
It is understood that there will be 23 speakers from the Government side in the debate tomorrow and all have been allocated five minutes except Dr Gonzi and Dr Gatt. The debate starts at 9 a.m. and the vote is expected to be taken at 8 p.m.
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Lawrence Fenech
Jan 23rd, 15:48
He has had his say all along, five minutes are more than enough to checkmate Gonzi who has no ears for anyone.
R. Gauci
Nov 4th 2011, 14:05
I must add that GonziPN has been lucky once again to have found this 'Franco Debono saga' to distract the nation from its REAL BIG PROBLEM - our finances!!!
Victor Vella
Nov 4th 2011, 13:15
Why five minutes? The trade off is for labour to give him enough time to express himself and give him the red carpet as EFA has done to Mintoff in 1998. Labour has to take an opportunity from the weakness of a lame duck.
Joe Diacono
Nov 4th 2011, 09:06
What a waste of tax payers money and time.
The country has far more important priorities to see to than this. What a way to gain media attention Dr. Debono, really I am not impressed. Is this a case of eyeing some ministeral position, (I can do better than Austin type of attitude) !!!!!!!!!
Carmel Garcia
Nov 4th 2011, 08:44
Mhux ser jibda jilghaba tal-vittma dan issa hux? Mela beza' jattendi l-ezekuttiv l-bierah. Ghax ma tajtux imqar siegha jitkellem. Kien jispicca ma jghid xejn, ghax ma jsibx fuqhiex.
Simon Scerri
Nov 4th 2011, 08:42
I think if Franco abstains, he should resign, he is not grateful to the PN supporters voters!!!! Something like this Labour take advantage of. Their only interests are resignations, no ideas, no solutions, just criticising and warming the bench, literally opposition to make rods in wheels and power in mind leaving the people with questions..... Since 1987 Malta has changed,look around, when tested the Labour in Power it was great failure which took them down after 22 months, PN back for good till present. Look how the world looks at us, with great pride, especially in these hard times the world is through . Admit people!!! be honest.
Brian Gatt
Nov 4th 2011, 09:39
Dear Simon,
Yes of course and the sky is blue and the sun is always shining birds are chirping in the trees and everyone loves each other BLA BLA BLA.....if this is what you are really seeing around you then my friend you need some serious help. Hmm just exactly would you expect the opposition to do tell us.....Opposition as its name sake is there to Oppose, to point out the deficiencies, to offer her help to the government, all this was done problem is that this government bluntly refused the opposition's help on a number of times, when the opposition pointed out deficiencies the government completely ignored it.
The result is that there are more people below the poverty line and much more risking to go under, we have more then doubled our national debt, economy is slowing at an alarming rate, utility bills have exploded sky high, fuel increases on a monthly basis, corruption and tax evasion is rife......you want me to continue?
victor caruana
Nov 4th 2011, 08:07
Why not simply call for an election????? Are we that much glued to power.....you have to start to get used to being in opposition....time for you to sack 90% of the incompetents which make up the pn....
Censu Filgolli
Nov 4th 2011, 08:07
if he's the only one abstaining, the speaker's casting vote will come into the scene, and all this crap will be over
if he really want to make his point, he should vote in favour of the motion, not abstain!
John Scerri
Nov 4th 2011, 07:19
What's cooking?
MLP are rubbing their hands hoping for an early election. (according to what is being said on Super One from comments by presenters and listeners.
Dr.Franco Debono...a personal battle against Dr.Gatt.
The irony .....
Had it not been for creation of infrastructure in IT and Communication, website Gov.mt, ETC website, school interactive education, laptops for teachers, access to health services via internet, access to an infinite number of government departments through internet, Microrsoft Packages for our students and teachers at rediculously low prices, payment of bills on line, internet banking,mobile telephony and the list goes on and on. All the above and more are Dr.Austin Gatt's work.
His manners might be questionable and less diplomatic but he delivered and is still delivering .
Smoking Buses and arrogant drivers were the rule of the day...complaints fell on deaf ears, no call for any resignation was ever made for 50 years.
Now that we have a Bus service which truely and surely started on a wrong foot and has caused much hardship to many but at the same time the bus service has and is improving we call for the resignation of Dr.Gatt.
This motion is purely a plot to eliminate a minister who created the infrustructure for business to invest in Malta because Malta Ranks top where it comes to IT and communication.
@ Dr.Franco Debono ...although you are an intelligent qualified lawyer you surely do not recall the poor state of telecommunications and non existant media 20 years ago.
It is all to the merit of Dr.Gatt that we can communicate ...like I am doing right now ...by internet .
Pity we only see the glass half empty ...Many take things for granted today ....they do not know how life was without them.
city busuttil
Jan 6th, 16:40
@JS: What you say is perfectly correct. Dr Gatt is responsible for bringing Malta into the 21st century technologically. But he is still responsible for the mess in transport.
@Dr Debono's place is with the MLP.
Anthony Mifsud Bonnici Giordani
Nov 4th 2011, 04:59
Bniedem li ghezzez lil PN mghoti 5 minuti biss. Ghaliex tahsbu? Ghax il-PN jibza mill-kritika l-aktar meta tigi minn ta' 'gewwa'. Ghaliex ma jhalluhx jitkellem kemm ghandu bzonn? Din kwistjoni serja ghal kull min juza l-mezzi tat-trasport.
R. Gauci
Nov 4th 2011, 01:20
Nahseb Gonzi l-ahjar soluzzjoni ghalih hi li jsejjah elezzjoni bikrija, il-perception hawn barra hi li jsejjah meta jsejjah elezzjoni ser jitlifha, aktar ma jdum se jitlef b'aktar voti. Tilef il-kontroll tal-kabinett tieghu u dan mhux healthy ghal kwalunkwe Gvern kif kien gara lil Sant fl-1997/98. Isejjah elezzjoni u jekk jirbah ikollu kabinett gdid u jekk jitlef ikollna partit iehor fil-Gvern b'aktar hegga zgur ghax din id-darba l-Labour needs to deliver big time.
Mary Ann Borg
Nov 4th 2011, 00:15
The title of this article is so rediculous. It gives the impression that Franco l-cowboy is being victimised by being given 'only 5 minutes' and then goes on to say that Austin and the PM have an hour and half hour respectively. Only later, and this just at the very end, does the article specifiy that all PN MPs have each been allocated 5mins each. What's the agenda here?
Ms.D. Galea
Nov 3rd 2011, 23:40
Why should Dr Debono complain about getting just five minutes of debating time?
WHAT DID HE EXPECT? SEVEN HOURS LIKE DOM MINTOFF GOT IN 1998?
Michael Seychell
Nov 3rd 2011, 21:44
Franco Debono is the same politiian who insulted the Minister of Justice during a court session, when he must have been awre that Dr.Karm Mifsud Bonnici was very sick at the time!
One wonders whether Franco,s political career is nearing its end, since in all probability he will loose most of the P.N. votes come next election, and will not gain not even one vote from the l.P. voters.
Michael Seychell
Tal-Pieta
Mr saviour magro
Nov 3rd 2011, 21:39
Only 5 minutes for franco debono ?Then JM should give his time to franco debono like what EFA did in 1998 he gave his time to Dom Mintoff.
Vincent Cassar
Nov 3rd 2011, 21:36
I wonder what the Maltese will say in 50 years' time about Franco Debono. I am sure he will be hailed as some sort of hero who saved and upheld democracy. You see people construct their social realities based on their inner agendas. With time these agendas change and a new reality emerges. We are living our own creations and we enjoy it!!!
fredu debono
Nov 3rd 2011, 21:33
nisperaw li n-nazzjonalisti jibqghu jiftakru x'inhuma jaghmlu franco debono u xi membri ohrajn lill partit nazzjonalista u meta jigu biex jivvutaw jaqbzuhom. lanqas l-ahhar ma haqqhom ghax jew jirrispettaw lill leader u lil partit jew mhux posthom fil-parlament. jien nazzjonalist mil-hamrun u minn mid-distrett tieghi ghamel il-bsaten fir-roti lill gvern ma jiehux vot iehor kemm idum johrog ghal xi elezzjoni.
Philip Grima
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:48
I hope that those belittling Austin Gatt will have the decency to hear him out tomorrow and not rely on second or third hand information. Phase one, getting rid of the old buses and mostly uncouth drivers, worked. Phase two, the introduction of road worthy and comfortable buses and decent drivers, worked as well. Phase three, implementation, did not go according to plan. This for a number of reasons well known to all, but surely not for lack of trying or professionalism. The routes were drawn up by Transport Malta after consultations with experts in the field. Arriva endorsed the routes and schedules and therefore immediately became responsible for the systems implementation. A good section of the 12% of the population who use the buses complained vociferously, and rightly so. An even larger section of the population, bloggers and journalists included, who never set foot on a bus, gave a helping hand. The
government listened and changes have and are being implemented. The easiest thing would have been to keep the routhes exactly as they were and the improvement, read buses and drivers, would have been apparent immediately. As Austin Gatt said Transport Malta may have been too ambitious in their quest to attract new customers.Four months on it hasn't quite worked out but those who have been rubbing their hands in glee can rest assure that Transport Malta, with Austin Gatt at the helm, will get right in time.
Joe Fenech
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:37
Democracy Gonzi way!
Robert Galea
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:29
U b'din n'ghadqdu il-mija qedin ottu u dan il-partit laburista xejn serju. Xejn serju.
David Magro
Nov 4th 2011, 05:59
Robert, sorry, but the PN has touched the buttom....why persist that the PL is not offering a solution...dont continue sticking to the old ...to the past...we need a change after 25 years this party has become jamed as John Dalli has qouted....did you hera John Dalli ?
Rodnick Abdilla
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:29
At this point, if Dr Debono does not abstain, he can rest assured that he will have lost his credibility and the respect of many.
Joe Fenech
Nov 4th 2011, 00:34
I hope he will and give a lesson to those who need a lesson in democracy!
Paul Portelli
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:17
Dak kemm jirrispettawk franco fiil partit 5 minuti meta int kont il pioneer li flahhar hrigt il verita kolla
paxxijom issa.il-poplu iridek izzom il kelma tar rgulija li wedtu franko
keith chetcuti
Nov 4th 2011, 08:35
jekk irid izomm l irgulija jivvota favur il gvern ghax u hareg ghan nom tal pn u irid joqghod dak li jajdlu il pm jekk le jirrizenja !
R. Gauci
Nov 4th 2011, 14:11
Fi ftit kliem Keith int trid li l-Parlament ikun immexxi minn xebgha YES MAN li jekk il-Gvern jghaffgek joghqod cicci beqqi u jhallihom jghaffguk? Ghax ma tghidx li Franco Debono kien l-uniku wiehed ragel minnhom kollha li qam wara li ra t-tbatijiet li qed jghaddu minnha l-Maltin habba l-Arriva. Ghal min isuq bhali forsi ma jaghtix kaz imma min hu anzjan jew student dan qed johloqlu problemi kbar, hemm min tilef appuntament l-isptar li kienu ilu sentejn ghalih u ohrajn li waslu tard jew ma waslu xejn ghal ezami. Hekk tajjeb allura? U hadd ma jerfa xejn qiesna l-Kongo??? Mbaghad il-PN l-istess nies li fl-1998 kienu jiehdu gost jaraw din is-sitwazzjoni fil-PL, what goes around comes around jghidu.
Robert Galea
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:14
Dan kollu qrid tal-labour ghax hu mahruq. M ahemmx dan id-dizastru hemm x'tirranga imma ma hemm'x dizastru. Kont qieghed nitkellem fi grupp dwar l-arriva konna 8. Kollha jmaqdruha u waqfet il-karozza u hmieg fuq tal-linja u ma tasalx fil-hin. UMbaghad skoprejt li l-ebda wiehed minhom ma jirkeb l-arriva hlief jien li kont qieghed nitkellem favurha.
Labour is a problem labour chose badly in the last leadership campaign he doesn't have any arguments and he discriminates and persecutes people and so people are JITKELLMU GHAL WICCU.
michael catania
Nov 3rd 2011, 21:23
Mr Galea I t make sense that most of the complaints come Labour Party oriented people.They are the once that are more likely to make use of public transport and so they are the ones who notice the disasters caused by these new bus schedules planned by a dicreditted conservative government. You see Labour party supporters don't have chauffeur driven Mercedes, Jaguars or any other other luxury cars You may defend your conservative masters but the facts are that this government has gone from one stuff up to another and Ausitn Gatt is a prime factor , not that any of the other members are any better
James Camilleri
Nov 3rd 2011, 22:59
Ma hemmx dizastru. Mela jekk qabel kont nohrog ghax-xoghol fis-7:30 u nasal l-aktar tard fit-8/8:15 (komdu u bil-qieghda) u issa nohrog fis-6:30 biex forsi nirkeb (mghaffeg bejn ghexiren ta' nies) u nasal ix-xoghol fit-8:30/8:45 dak x'tghidlu progress?
m. borg
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:03
Democracy gonziPN style.
pat muscat
Nov 3rd 2011, 19:56
GonziPN is bust. Admit it!
Mr Joe Micallef
Nov 4th 2011, 08:57
Tkellmet l'oraklu!
Mr Hans Borg
Nov 3rd 2011, 19:56
Tomorrow we will determine whether or not the PN have given Franco Debono another carrot.
R. Lewis
Nov 3rd 2011, 19:56
U dawn mhux kollha teatrini biex taparsi in nies jinsew il problemi l ohra. Ghada business as usual u hadd mhux sejjer jivvota kontra ir rieda tal partit tieghu. Issa gimgha wara jigi il Ministru l-iehor tal finanzi u jipprova ikompli jitmellah bil poplu bil budget. Mhux is sena kollha ghaddejin bil budget, b'minn tridu tghaddu z-zmien. Iz zmien tal buzzollotti kien, ghadu u jibqa.
Joseph E Briffa
Nov 3rd 2011, 22:37
R Lewis...forsi Tonio irahsilna it-tonn taz-zejt ma tafx kif? Dak mhux dejjem jitmellah bil-poplu! Issa grat tragedja ohra barra tal-buses, u tal-Grecja.. Il-majjal ghola by 10 Euro cents il-kilo! x'bicca gratilna! Fhiex kenna nigu!
Bernard Sammut
Nov 3rd 2011, 19:55
kieku froga bhal din grat f'xi pajjiz iehor fl ewropa kienu jirrezenjaw ruxmata nies,hawn hadd ma ghandu zejt f'wiccu? min hu responsabbli iwarrab..mhux nofru ir rezinji finta ghax tqallajna!
Proset Franco j'alla jkun hawn imqar nofs tuzzana bhalek fuq iz zewg nahat taql kamra.
Noel Mifsud
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:05
Le ta skuzani mhux hadd ma ghandu zejt f wiccu. Ma tarax li l MInistru mhux se jitlef 500 euro fil gimgha tal frejjeg li qed jaghmel. Jew ic Chiefs li qalu ghandhom paga bejn 39,000 u 64,000 fis sena mhux se jitilfu dik il paga meta ma ghandhom l ebda responabilita. Dawn mhux zejt f wicchom ma ghandhomx, ma jafux jisthu minn Alla li halaqhom. Is sabiha hi l PM jikkaverja dawn in nies, jistqarr li ma gahndux ministri ta stoffe u jtijhom dik iz zieda kollha.
Peter Pace O'Shea
Nov 3rd 2011, 19:41
What reasoning! I never expected this from Dr. Gonzi. Well then if he wants to share responsibility for the mess Dr Austin made, then as he said, the wole cabinet should resign. The PN is becoming more and more arrogant. Are we having a repeat of pre 1984? I think so!
Noel Mifsud
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:07
Dont remember if 1984 we were in this state political appointment are filled with useless people, and without any decent to accept responability.
Robert Galea
Nov 3rd 2011, 19:35
Jien lest li nghati lil franco Debono saghtejn biex jitkellem fil-parlament jrid aktar u intuh aktar lanqas jimla 5 minuti minnhom, ma ghandhi l-ebda dubbju.
Robert Galea
Nov 3rd 2011, 19:32
Wahda serja fuq il-Media. Lanqas jekk il-labour jkollu il-media kollha f'idu, il-gazzetti kollha , it-TV kollha u jitkellmu minn filghodu sa filghaxija favur il-labour u lanqas jekk jkollu ir-radji kollha favur tieghu u jitkellmu favur tieghu ma jitla fil-gvern.
David Farrugia
Nov 3rd 2011, 19:51
x' disperazzjoni!
Alfred Vassallo
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:40
@robert Galea
Uhhhhhhh mahruq siehbi, wahda sew ukoll. Bil mod kif hrigtina.
Robert Galea
Nov 3rd 2011, 21:33
Taf x'jigifieri il-kelma mahruq. Trid nispjegailhekk. Ha nispjegailhekk siehbi.
Tkun mahruq meta titlef ir-referendum u tghid li irbahtu.
Tkun mahruq meta taghmel xi 32 years in opposition u hlief li titla fil-gvern ma tarax.
K. Vella
Nov 3rd 2011, 19:29
Franco's motive is not the public transport but to undermine the goverment.
David Farrugia
Nov 3rd 2011, 19:52
Franco's motive is not the public transport but to undermine the goverment, of whom the whole country is now fed up.
M Borg
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:06
@ K Vella
Well said. makes one wonder why he chose the NP in the first place.
Maybe he wants to go down in history as the MP who made his party lose office.
Paul Caruana
Nov 3rd 2011, 19:24
So the poker game between Austin Gatt and Co on one side, and Franco Debono on the other, continues.
We will see who blinks first.
paul fava
Nov 3rd 2011, 19:20
It would be just fair if the opposition were to give him another five minutes from their time, i think it would be interesting to hear what he thinks about the reform in the Transport Sector.
Noel Abela
Nov 3rd 2011, 19:18
SOS il-Vapur GonziPN qed jeghreq. Darba Eddie kien qal li hu is-salvuomo. Forsi issa infaqa !!!!!!!!
Mr Emanuel Farrugia
Nov 3rd 2011, 19:18
Komplu ghaddu z-zmien bic-cittadini nies ta' bla direzzjoni.
Emanuel Farrugia former Executive Secretary Mtarfa Local Council
Robert Galea
Nov 3rd 2011, 19:16
So far I haven't heard any real arguments from Dr Debono. He has to speak out his arguments and give us evidence. He has to speak not from what he heard but from his real experience. Labour is exagerating alot he is making alot of fuss. Dr Debono's attitude seems unreasonable. He should know better the reason behind the reform since he is in close contact with the minister and is working within the ministry.
Labour hates Austin Gatt because he is harsh on Labour not becasue he is arrogant or incompetent or a bully.
FRANS H SAID
Nov 3rd 2011, 19:31
Perhaps because you were not listining
B Borg
Nov 3rd 2011, 19:11
Gatt was given an hour. Debono five minutes. Both will have only one vote to cast, therefore are equal
Charles J. Buttigieg
Nov 3rd 2011, 19:10
The paradoxical situation within Gonzi’s parliamentary group is presenting a trap that confines the members between a brick wall and a hard place. A Catch 22 situation where they are. 'Damned if they do and damned if they don’t. More serious than the situation Alfred Sant found himself in 1998.With a few minor changes the story can be the same.
Alfred Sant had a one man mega force wanting his head on a plate. Chiefly because Sant was never an egomaniac he succumbed to the initial signs of more dissent. On the other hand, Dr.Gonzi, a super egomaniac resisted and won on the big band of weak descendants, the list is too tall to name names.
The adage ‘every cloud has got its silver lining’ does not apply much in politics, now we are seeing the gray cloud turning black which would start pouring soon rather than light showering as it has been doing since the winter of 2008.
Mugliette,JPO,Arrigo,JPF might be sitting pretty waiting for a stronger man to do the needful, Franco Debono has declared publicly that he’s had enough while the man with ‘Par idejn sodi’ has totally wiped off that smirk off his face which we all loved so much to see.
I don’t like Franco Debono much as he always gave me the impression that he is incapable to walk his talk, but this time he proved me wrong and tomorrow he will be the strongest to make Gonzi meet his Waterloo. Of that I’m certain
Neville Zammit
Nov 3rd 2011, 19:08
I don't know why all this fuss about the matter! If tomorrow Dott Franco Debono will abstain, the speaker will cast his vote in favour of the government so the government will obtain a majority to defeat the opposition's motion and Gatt will keep his seat as Minister, full stop. If Dr Franco will vote with the opposistion or another deputy on the government benches will vote with the opposition, or at least abstain, Minister Gatt will have to step down and another minister will be appointed, that s what happened when Dalli resinged to assume the responsibility of Commisioner, the government wasn't defeated!
FRANS H SAID
Nov 3rd 2011, 19:33
Exactly, so why all the fuss from Gonzi. Perhaps because he does not think that has any capable persons or could it be that the powers that be cannot trust (control) any of the others?
Carmel Xuereb
Nov 3rd 2011, 18:57
I think that Dr. Debono should be given at least half the time that is allocated to Dr. Gatt. He has the guts to stick to his guns and I apploud him. All the other 23 PN MP's have 5 minutes and it's enough for them to say they are behind Dr. Gatt but Dr. Debono want to show us all what real democracy means and what responsability means, yes I agree with him that he nees more time an he should be given at least 20 minutes. If they dont give more time to Dr. Debono it means they are cowards and afraid of him and if I were Dr. Debono I wluld rather not attend at all Parlament tomorrow. We need more MP's like you from both side of the house Dr. Debono keep to your guns in the long run you will be a winner.
Noel Zahra Diacono
Nov 3rd 2011, 19:04
I agree with you Carmel
Mr. R. Saliba
Nov 3rd 2011, 19:08
and why should he given more time than the other PN Mps? He is not the one who presented the motion. The PL did. You have to remember that this is not Debono vs Gatt. This is a motion of no confidence in Gatt. That is why Austin Gatt is given ample time to defend himself.
A Bezzina
Nov 3rd 2011, 19:08
Interesting interpretation of 'democracy' ...
So, your idea of democracy is for 5 minutes to be given to the 23 MPs who have not, as yet, expressed their opinions, but 20 minutes to be given to the one who has been on all media, and whose opinion we all know anyway!! Democracy indeed ...
Charles Massa
Nov 3rd 2011, 18:57
Dik demokrazija............Il ministru froga Gatt siegha u Franco Debono ghax ma jaqbilx mal froga li ghamel il ministru Gatt ghandu hames minuti
Mr. R. Saliba
Nov 3rd 2011, 19:09
Mhux ahjar tipprova tifhem kif jahseb parlament? Kieku m hemmx demokrazija, kieku aqqas mozzjoni m'hemm ahseb u ara.
V Mercieca
Nov 3rd 2011, 18:30
The Prime Minister only announced it now that Dr Austin Gatt presented his resignation.
The PM knew from the start that this was a hot potato and if it is true that Dr Gatt presented his resignation some time ago, it was wrong for the PM not to inform the public.
For me, I don’t believe the PM that the resignation was presented some time ago, but only came up with this lame excuse to save face.
Dr Gonzi, please stop insulting our intelligence.
Lawrence attard
Nov 3rd 2011, 18:28
At least 70% of the Maltese are behind you on this issue (according to a recent poll), so stick to your guns, Hon. Franco Debono. The Hon. Minister Austin Gatt should resign and save the government this continuous embarrassment. But if he does resign or is removed, who will clean up the mess his Ministry has left? We demand a good reliable service. Arriva in Malta are an abject flop!
Joseph E Briffa
Nov 3rd 2011, 22:48
Lawrence Attard........was this poll held by Labour, and who took part, all the Labourites? I believe it was it-Torca that came up with this story....and it-Torca is an independent paper....
Brian Azzopardi
Nov 3rd 2011, 18:27
Has the tantrum put up by Dr Debono late anything to do with persistent rumors of Mr Delia's intention of contesting in his electoral district. If so it explains everything no! Its like when a young boy shouts, screams,cries and stamps his feet because he wants all the chocolates for himself! Call his bluff Mr Prime Minister. Put the ball in his court. Lets see if he has it in him to keep a whole party and half a nation at ransom!
Mario allison
Nov 3rd 2011, 19:05
dont bet on it ... It might be your worst nightmare... And you wont be able to sleep for a couple of months
Peppi Borg
Nov 3rd 2011, 18:18
Democracy requests that Dr.Debono would be given more time since his vote is crucial and that the debate would be televised.
joseph gellel
Nov 3rd 2011, 18:12
al xmas tistaw tmorru fuq il fossos u taraw il membri palamentari malti fil cirku. dejaqtu lil kulhad. miskin il poplu malti.
Victor Caruana
Nov 3rd 2011, 18:10
Were is Mr. Delia !! He was so proud and looking forward to start using the public transport when last seen and spoken on media, is he abroad?? he is so happy with he system no comment at all? How come that he didn't show up again on media to give us the public his FEEDBACK or --------------
A Caruana
Nov 3rd 2011, 18:40
Mr Delia has disappeared off the face of the earth
pat muscat
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:03
Mr Delia is revising his algorithms and queue in theory equations! An illiterate bus dispatcher could have figured it out in a few minutes!
Mr J Xerri
Nov 3rd 2011, 18:07
It's clear that mathematics played a part in the allocation of time to MP. After taking away the 90 minutes being allocated to the Prime Minister and Dr Gatt, the PN strategists found out that they needed 23 speakers to finish up with 5 minutes for each speaker... and so the excuse now is that Dr Debono could not be allocated than 5 minutes. Good mathematicians .. at least in this case.
Joseph Borg
Nov 3rd 2011, 18:39
Sakemm ma l-oppozizzjoni ma it-tiehx mill hin taghha, bhal ma kien gara ma Mintoff, ghal min jiftakar.
john muscat
Nov 3rd 2011, 18:05
Dr. Gonzi said that the cabinet as a whole is assuming responsibility, so is the whole cabinet going to resign?
Anthony Borg
Nov 3rd 2011, 18:38
Yes, that’s how it should be.
Stop playing with blue or red Dr.Gonzi...
first and foremost, we are citizens of this country, not dyed political cohorts.
This legislature is hanging on by its teeth...and you know it.
Our Prime Minister must remove this uncertainty and call a snap election.
A. Tabone
Nov 3rd 2011, 18:03
Franco Debono is making a fool of himself, of our government and of our country. This is the populist trait we out to be concerned about. Everyone is complaining about something, and an up and coming politician tries to make quick political capital out of the whole deal.
And he's quoting Westminster procedures too! The first thing a backbencher does in the House of Commons after failing to obtain a resignation from someone is to resign himself! There's a lovely phrase in Italian: Arrampicarsi sugli specchi. And oh boy is Dr. Debono doing a lot of mirror climbing lately!
Anthony Camilleri
Nov 3rd 2011, 18:25
And he wants full exposure on tv for everyone to say Kemm hu bravu dan ..... Min hu Anyway few people know who this up and coming Prima Donna is
Anthony Paris
Nov 3rd 2011, 18:54
Unfortunately when someone does not toe the party line they are called a fool. Irrespective of Dr Debono's motivation, no one can argue that the Arriva project was a disaster. SO Dr. Debono is quite rightly saying the main sponsor of this project should resign, and let someone else try to fix the disaster. What is so wrong with this reasoning? Why does his reasoning make him a fool? Pray, enlighten us morons, Mr Tabone
Mario allison
Nov 3rd 2011, 19:13
can i have austin's jaguar after he's gone pls.pls pls.
A. Tabone
Nov 3rd 2011, 19:16
@Mr. Paris:
I don't know. Maybe the fact that while Europe burns, our Prime Minister is having to bear Dr. Debono's grand standing? Why is he acting like he's the only one with constituents? Is he suggesting the other MPs do not care about the whole reform?
Yes, it's been a tough one to try and haul a system designed in the 40s into the 21st century. And it's been a problem because the old system was, for all intents and purposes, a daily disaster. Now we have the beginnings of a new system. And everyone wants to complain about it. It's Mater Dei all over. "Eee, taf kemm domt nistenna u ndur...imma bl-air kondixinn taa!" It's all fine, as long as the likes of you get to complain about it.
And, as a parting shot, I would never suggest you to be an unenlightened moron. Neither can I do anything if you decide to bestow the title upon yourself and those of your ilk.
G Mangion
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:54
@ DR EMMANUEL BEZZINA,MA,MAG.JUR.[EU Law],LL.D
the FEARLESS will speak their minds NO MATTER WHAT :
You mean like, J.M,. a sant, k.m.b ? Past are the Days when People were treated like Zombis's
Did you speak of Democracy ?? Of all the.......................
G.Mangion WITH. NO. CAP'S. AFYTER. HIS. NAME
A Dimech
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:54
Is Gatt surviving? is he not? is Gatt Surviving ? is he not? Is Gatt Surviving? is he not?
bing, bong, bing, bong.
par idejn sodi, jew par idejn dghajfin? par idejn sodi, jew par idejn dghajfin?
ding dong ding dong
Peter Bonnici
Nov 3rd 2011, 18:11
X'gherf!
Mr. R. Saliba
Nov 3rd 2011, 18:13
why do you have to make stupid comments every 5 minutes or so?
M Farrugia
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:52
Dan il-qrid kollu huwa kollu sour grapes ghax din ir-riforma lanqas l-akbar bully li kellu il-L.P. ma irnexxilu jaghmilha u l-haddiema tat-trasport kienu dahlu lura ghax xoghol ghax safaw mehedda li se tittiehdilhom il-licenezja. Tajjeb li dawn l-affarijiet min qed jikteb jiftakarhom.
Charles Busuttil
Nov 3rd 2011, 18:07
Nahseb li ridt tghid li disastru ta' dan il-kobor HADD ma kellu l-hila jaghmlu, la fit-trasport u lanqas f'ebda qasam iehor.
J.C. Borg
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:49
I am smelling an 'old rat 'in this pantomine.
Many will be disappointed.
Who will they be?
Henry S. Pace
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:44
'since tomorrow's debate is of interest to the whole population, it should be televised, '
It seems that Dr debono wants to make a show of himself like a ??????????????????
to the whole world on the internet.
Mr Lawrence Calleja
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:42
Jekk il-problema f'Malta hi dik tat-transport pubbliku, allura f'Malta ma ghandniex problemi. F'malta ghandna nuqqas ta' maturita politika.
j brincat
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:41
A Cuschieri
"In 5 minutes he can just say "I say whatever they're saying" (refering to the opposition)"
He would obviously like to explain his stand and in the 5 minutes he cannot possible say it all, as you should know!
They are trying to curtail his speech. So, the PN executive met 3 times and are meeting again to discuss Dr Debono's stance and then barely give him time to open his mouth.
(jb)
Mark Piscopo
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:41
Is this Gonzi’s promise of the new way of doing politics?
Does Dr Gonzi thinks that he can dictate and agree to play ball whenever it suits him? Where is the respect towards the Opposition and his Mp's? How short is his memory, has he already forgotten that he won the last election by an only 1500 votes and this after making all the promises in the world.
A Dimech
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:40
Maltese churches tomorrow are to hold a special service and special prayers in aid of GonziPN !!! is it true?!
Peter Bonnici
Nov 3rd 2011, 18:13
Imma kif kollox tibilghu?
mark borg
Nov 3rd 2011, 18:27
It would not be the first time for sure !
Carmel camilleri
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:36
It is interesting that this country can afford to waste so much time on trivial matters when other countries are struggling to combat their financial trouble.
Mr Michael Debono
Nov 3rd 2011, 18:40
Malta is not discussing the financial problems. Why? The P.N Gonzipn is acting in a dubious way with regards to the financial problems the E.U. is bothering about.
Gonzipn an Mr Fenech Minister of finance are not bothered by the financial situation. They are leaving the problem to surface following the election of the L.P. to the government. This is being done so that from the word go that is as soon as the L.P. is in government financial problems will pop up and the E.U will do what it is doing in Greece and other countries. In a couple of words the L.P. [overnment will be facing unsurmontable problems because of what it inherited from an irresponsible Government.
It is felt that this is the aim of Gonzipn. To start condemning the P.L. government from the word :go.
Daniela Camilleri
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:34
Something tells me that common sense will prevail - Franco Debono will not give an easy win to his old classmate
A Dimech
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:33
By the way, in an independent survey, 70% of Maltese think that Gatt should resign....
Josef Charles Hili
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:47
how come its independent if it was printed front page of l-Orizzont today.
G Mangion
Nov 3rd 2011, 18:06
@ A Dimech
From another sorce the survey was made from the mlp Delegates at the Red room yes 75 % Only ....
G. Mangion.
FRANS H SAID
Nov 3rd 2011, 19:37
It is a good survey as it was not lambasted by GONZIPN.
The survey was not one of the Xarabank charades.
A Dimech
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:32
Mugliet is being very quiet - is it true he is thinking to abstain as well? so rumours have it!!
Perhaps after all the fuss boht Mugliet and Debono will be persuaded to vote with the government.
That would be quite a U-turn for Debono - after all the fuss.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:28
Five minutes should be adequate because there must be very little that has not been spouted ad nauseam already. We do not need any filibustering tomorrow!
DR EMMANUEL BEZZINA,MA,MAG.JUR.[EU Law],LL.D.,
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:17
ALLOCCATED ONLY FIVE MINUTES - BY WHOM, WITH WHOSE AUTHORITY ?
=============================================================a people`s representative has a right to make his voice heard on a sensitive issue - if the Minister in the dock [ Star MP ] gets one hour,then each MP has a right to get equally an hour.............that is democracy!! This Nonsense of abiding by the Party Whip Instructions is an aenethema in Modern Democracy - off with political parties and let all people`s representatives be chosen direct by the People`s Will without any Parties - one is aware of risking too many fools running the country,but in lieu of fools we have been punished with corruption galore and the rise of THE ENCIRCLED CIRCLE. All this has to go - the new International World Order long foreseen is upon us where THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE only will matter. MALTA too is coming finally of age.
It is not a question of being FOR or AGAINST Dr Franco Debono.................but this guy has what it takes,so let Democracy back him up. Those who FEAR do their damnest to SHUT ONE UP - the FEARLESS will speak their minds NO MATTER WHAT - Cosmic Divinity.
Andrew Scicluna
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:45
Dr. Bezzina,
In plain English your solution is called a National Unity Government. Your very comment is highlighting Malta's main problem, that Parliament is littered with lawyers. We need TECHnocrats not TALKnocrats representing the people...
Having said that, like you, I fully agree with the concept of a National Unity Government.
Andrew Scicluna MBA(e-Business), B.Sc.
Belgium
M Farrugia
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:57
Jekk hawn xi hadd li jista jitkellem kif ghanda tahdem il-politika zgur li mhux inti ghax il-poplu kull darba qalet li sabiex tkun rapprezentant tieghu .
David Magro
Nov 3rd 2011, 18:08
Naqbel ma Dr.Bezzina...din x`liberta ta`kelma hi ? Kif raprezzentatnt tal-poplu tghatih 5 minuti biss biex jispjega ghalfejn ha din l-istand ? Jien gej min naha t`isfel ta`Malta u nies bhal Franci irridu...il-polz taghna qieghed jisimhu Franco..ta kull filghodu kalvarju qed ikollna fit-toroq, it-tfal biex imorru l-iskola irridu jahsbu 3 sighat qabel, l-anzjani kalvarju qieghed jghaddu, niex bhala li bil-karozza privata irridu jahsbu saghtejn qabel ghax xoghol...din x`work life balance, kif tista tghamel izjed hin mal-familja. Dr.Gatt stress fuq il-familji gab, tbatija zejda gab.Dr.Gatt irrid iwiegeb ghas-suppervja tieghu, ghal-arroganza tieghu. Hallu lil Franci jitkellem, irridu nisimghu l-ghajma tal-poplu, it-tbatija li qed ibghati u mhux il-ftahir Ta Dr-Gatt li kisser dak li kien tajjeb!
Mr Michael Debono
Nov 3rd 2011, 18:47
The opposition can give Dr. Debono a part of their time. This happened when Dr. A sant was defeated. The P.N. gave some of their time to Mr Mintoff.
Joseph M. Saliba
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:15
WHY DON'T YOU ALL ADMIT THAT THE TRANSPORT REFORM WAS A TOTAL FLOP. THE REASON IS THAT AUSTIN GATT FOUND DELIA THE REFORMIST IN THE YELLOW PAGES.
M camilleri
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:15
What a shame only 5 min,this is democracy at it best wow. Gonzi Regime at its best don't give up Dr Debono If I was you I will vote NO.
Philip Hili
Nov 4th 2011, 00:38
@ M camilleri
It seems that you have a very short memory to be scandalised by the 5 minutes give to dr. debono and do not remember that the Ono. dom Mintoff was not given 1 minute to speak when Dr. Sant challenged him in parliament. The opposition spared him some time to air his views in the highest institution of which he was a member elected democratically by the people and which had every right to speak.
Mario Grima
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:12
It will only take a couple of seconds for Dr. Debono to lift his middle finger and point it towards Gonzi and the rest of the PN's croonies.
Sarah Cutajar
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:32
Well said, ''It will only take a couple of seconds for Dr. Debono to lift his middle finger and point it towards Gonzi'' for not appointing him Minister. So Franco Debono stamps his feet like a little boy because he's not getting what he wants.
G Schembri
Nov 3rd 2011, 18:04
Sarah Cutajar - If Franco Debono lifts his middle finger at Gonzi - he will be mirroring Gonzi lifting his middle finger at the people who have to get the bus to work every morning while Gonzi and Gatt say they had a good night's sleep and get driven in their luxury cars everywhere they need to go.
WAKE UP and remove your blue blinkers.
Victor Baldacchino
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:05
jekk ikollu ikun il kap tal partit nazzjonalista Franco Debono jien inkun l-ewwel wiehed li nghid il Partit .Adios.
Nies bhal dawn (showman) ma humiex kredibli.
M Farrugia
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:53
I fully endorse
j brincat
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:05
"Debono allocated five minutes in tomorrow's debate"
Adding salt to injury!
What can Dr Debono possibly say in just 5 minutes allocated to him?
(jb)
A Cuschieri
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:28
In 5 minutes he can just say "I say whatever they're saying" (refering to the opposition) - because the opposition will also have to speak in case you didn't read through the whole article. Apart from the fact that the motion itself will be doing all the talking on behalf of the opposition and (possibly) dr. debono.
Vincent Cassar
Nov 3rd 2011, 21:39
Hi! Thanks! Bye!
James Zammit
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:01
Dr Franco Debono, grow up..........................
FRANS H SAID
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:01
PN = Malta (un)democratic party.
We are back to the old divine right to rule quoted by kings.
Now we have the devil's right to impose.
The more they keep on this trent the deeper is the grave and the longer they shall be out in the cold. But probably by then certain persons would have obtained all they had set their eyes on.
FRANS H SAID
Nov 3rd 2011, 16:57
Chickens. One hour to defend and only 5 minutes to accuse.
This democracy PN style.
We had more democracy during the Mintoff regime.
A Dimech
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:10
during the Mintoff "regime" we were allowed full access to parliament as this used to be broadcasted - and PN were at liberty to speak as much as they wnated....
far cry from nowadays - where nothing is televised, so that people don't witness what is hapening in the highest institution of the country. But they want to build a new parliament!! what is the point to have a new parliament if nobody knows and cannot see what goes in it!!
Mr. R. Saliba
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:12
'5 minutes to accuse'?? Who brought the motion? Clearly you have no idea how parliament works.
A Cuschieri
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:13
Read the article. He has 5 minutes as every other speaker - why should he be given more time than others simply because he's going to abstain?
One hour to defend and only 5 to accuse? Did ONE News tell you that? Did you read the part where the Opposition will also have time allocated to speak? If that's not democracy what is then? So adding, the motion itself, the opposition speaches and Debono - I think there will be more time allocated to accuse then to defend. Or not?
M Farrugia
Nov 3rd 2011, 18:00
chicken min qieghed jinqeda bil-gazetta billi jaghddi l-informazzjoni sabiex ikompli jaghmel il-hsara lil P>N. m in ghalih. Il-hsara qeda issir lil Franco debono stess ghax jista jghid li tilef kull sens ta rgulija mal-elettorat.
Joseph E Briffa
Nov 3rd 2011, 18:19
Where was democracy in Mintoff's time?...You must be very young and don't remember those days of socialist bliss...you're indeed lucky. Unless of course you do remember but have conveniently forgotten or, poor you, suffering from amnesia - which has reached pandemic proportions in the Labour camp.
FRANS H SAID
Nov 3rd 2011, 19:40
@ Joseph E Briffa
Yes, extremly young, in fact a spring bunny - like the Easter bunny.
j brincat
Nov 3rd 2011, 16:54
Democracy at its best - PN's way!
(jb)
A Dimech
Nov 3rd 2011, 16:50
Dr Debono will loose credibility big time if he does a U-turn in the last minute!
MD Fenech
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:14
He already did it (loose credibility and a U-turn).
He is just wasting the PM's time and the country's money.
G Schembri
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:41
MD Fenech Austin Gatt is wasting the country's time and money. His transport system has wasted the nations hours of waiting and thousands or rather millions of euro. Dr Debono just doesn't want to be part of this corruption. WAKE UP and tomorrow be near the triton fountain at six, and with the rest of us protest against this sham we have to pay dearly for. The new Transport reform.