Quotes of the week

“Lawrence Gonzi is trying to find an answer to that irritating question.”

Philosopher Joe Friggieri interpreting the Prime Minister’s speech and decision to appoint Simon Busuttil as a special delegate, as he grapples with the paradox that while the country is doing well, society remains disgruntled.

“Bursting wards with patients does not remove them from corridors.”

Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses president Paul Pace defending its stand to have just one extra bed in the medical and surgical wards, not up to three, as patients continue to line hospital corridors.

“About time we kept our promises.”

Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando criticising his government for failing to introduce the cohabitation law to safeguard the gay community’s rights.

“Inhuman.”

Magistrate Giovanni Grixti slamming a Maltese man who lured east European women with promises of rest­aurant work and then forcing them into prostitution or selling them.

“Infested with rats, poor standards of hygiene...”

Slovak Socialist MEP Monika Flasi­kova Benova describing the “intolerable” conditions of migrant reception centres in Malta, especially the Ħal Far tent village.

“I have been living in this circus (the courts) for a long time.”

Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona cracking a joke when Sliema council candidate Silvio Zamit complained in court that two 16-year-old Graffitti activities called him a clown (Silvio Pulċinell).