Car parks privatisation: Speaker turns down Opposition request for urgent debate
The Speaker Dr Michael Frendo.
Updated 12.13 a.m.
The Speaker of the House, Michael Frendo, in a ruling just after midnight turned down a call by the Opposition for adjournment of the House to urgently debate a motion on the privatisation of car parks.
In a ruling, delivered after the sitting was suspended for two-and-a-half hours, Dr Frendo said that this was a substantive motion and it had been filed according to requirements laid down in Standing Orders.
Substantive motions did not need to be moved by a minister.Three days notice had to be given, as was given in this case..
But the Opposition was wrong to present the motion during the time of uncontested business, Dr Frendo said, quoting a ruling by Speaker Myriam Spiteri Debono.
Furthermore one could not argue that the motion was backed by a majority and therefore had to be debated, since one could only determine a majority once a vote had been taken.
Speaker Spiteri Debono, when ruling on an adjournment motion moved by then Opposition leader Eddie Fenech Adami, had said that even if the motion was admissible, it could not be moved at the time reserved for uncontested business.
She had also said that the motion had to appear on the Order Paper.
Such a motion could be put on the Order Paper only by agreement of the House Business Committee or by the Leader of the House.
The Chair had to follow the existing rules, even though it appreciated that they needed to be updated. At present all the keys were in the government's hands. Standing Orders had actually reserved alternate Thursdays for private business, but unfortunately it had become the practice at the beginning of the parliamentary session to regulate procedure by a procedural motion which further undermined this.
Since 1976 more than 40 private motions had been presented but not moved in the House.
Dr Frendo said the Chair supported moved for an updated of Standing Orders.
He said he would be convening another meeting of the House Business Committee on Thursday in the hope that some sort of agreement could be reached between the government and the opposition on this debate.
OPPOSITION'S REQUEST
The request for the holding of the urgent debate was made in the House by Opposition whip Joe Mizzi and Leader of the House Tonio Borg immediately disagreed.
Mr Mizzi raised the issue just before the end of business, a few minutes before the adjournment of the House was due to be moved at 9 p.m.
He said that it was clear at the last sitting of the House Business Committee that the Opposition's request for an urgent debate was backed by a majority in the House.
He said that the procedures of the House provided that the Opposition and, indeed, any MP, may move adjournment motions. Furthermore, Standing Orders provided that the House may regulate its business and a ruling in February 2009 provided that any Standing Order may be suspended on a motion made after notice when approved by a majority of MPs present and voting.
The rulings by the current Speaker also made clear that anyone could move an adjournment motion or any procedural motion as long as there was sufficient notice and the motion was moved before the end of business.
On Friday, the Opposition presented a motion that the House should be adjourned for urgent debate of the motion on the privatisation of the car parks.
The Labour whip said one of the roles of the Speaker was to safeguard the rights of the minority. This, however, was a rare case where the minority actually enjoyed majority support, reinforcing its call for urgent debate of the Opposition's motion tomorrow or on any other date which may be agreed.
Leader of the House Tonio Borg said he did not think that Mr Mizzi had a right to move his procedural motion when the House was still debating other business.
The government was not against holding the debate but there was no obligation for the motion on the car parks to be debated immediately, despite the three-day notice. Motions would be debated according to the legislative priorities.
Dr Borg argued that it was only ministers who could move the adjournment motion. Furthermore, the Opposition motion gave no date when the debate on the car parks privatisation should be held. To say 'tomorrow' did not hold water since motions ordinarily carried dates.
Dr Franco Debono said the request also included his motion calling for the resignation of Austin Gatt.
Mr Speaker Michael Frendo said no such request had been made.
Dr Debono said they were related. He insisted that Mr Mizzi was in order when he raised his point. He said the Constitution prevailed over Standing Orders and the Chair should therefore consider that the Standing Orders had not been comprehensively amended for a quarter of a century.
By Dr Borg's yardstick, no motion could be presented without the government's approval. Such argumentation was dangerous.
He said the government stayed in office only for as long as it enjoyed the support of the House, but it had no support on this motion, like it would not enjoy support on the Budget. The prime minister had spoken of the 'moment of truth' and, Dr Debono said, he would reply: 'bring it on'.
Dr Debono referred briefly to the reply of a parliamentary question and said it was contempt of parliament that Richard Cachia Caruana still held the title of ambassador.
Anglu Farrugia (PL) the opposition's motion and the procedurethat was followed mirrored the requirements laid down by Speaker Louis Galea (in 2009).
Mr Mizzi said a procedural motion had been presented and if required, the House should vote on it and that would prevail over anything else.
Dr Frendo suspended the sitting to give a ruling.
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A. Mizzi
Oct 9th 2012, 15:32
Mr. Speaker ALWAYS a Parking Space, never has to pay any parking fees.... never even has to pay for fuel or to get around!
Try Role - Reversal for a day..... in fact let all those who oppose or want to postpone the Car parks privatisation issue do some role reversal with the "children of a lesser God", Cikku Poplu!
A. Mizzi
Oct 9th 2012, 15:28
Mr. Speaker ALWAYS a Parking Space, never has to pay any parking fees.... never even has to pay for fuel or to get around!
Try Role - Reversal for a day..... in fact let all those who oppose or want to postpone the Car parks privatisation issue do some role reversal with the "children of a lesser God", Cikku Poplu!
Joseph Cauchi Senior
Oct 9th 2012, 11:02
The MLP and the two PN renegades are creating a mountain out of a mole-hill.
The Speaker’s ruling is correct and no questions asked!
This proves to show that the MLP do not yet know and understand the procedures of parliament.
Isn't it about time to go back to the school-benches and start learning these procedures, by heart if possible?
It-tfal tan-Nuna jgħamlu hekk!
JC.
Henry J Bonett
Oct 9th 2012, 10:45
We have had this for much too long. The people are absolutely tired of this charade which has to be behind us before Christmas. Why cling on for a further month or two? Do two months further in power justify messing up our country and its people even without Christmas coming in between? What a shame.
Chris Mifsud
Oct 9th 2012, 10:34
All the MLP supporters can comment is "shame" and "democracy down the drain" etc. etc..
What a load of rubbish. Everything is legal and in any case all we are talking about is a shelved carpark privatization. How is that so urgent ?
All you MLP supporters want is to bring the government down at all costs and you get angry when that does not happen.
I say one thing, when the election does eventually come i sincerely hope that PN wins. Not because I agree with them but just so that Labour looses.
Matthew Grima
Oct 9th 2012, 10:52
"I say one thing, when the election does eventually come i sincerely hope that PN wins. Not because I agree with them but just so that Labour looses."
Everything that is wrong with this country's politics has been summarized in this sentence.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Oct 9th 2012, 12:57
Chris MIfsud, what is legal is not necessary democratic. Was Mntoff staying in power because he legally could in 1981 also democratic? I don't think so. Your comment just goes to show how GOnziPn is playing around, using rules and regulations to keep himself going at the expense of democracy. Honestly, I never thought Dr Gonzi was capable of defying democracy like this. Dr Fenech Adami should speak up and stop this man from destroying all that was won under him.
Eddy Privitera
Oct 9th 2012, 21:00
Chris Mifsud: The PL can't bring the government down on the car-parks motion. That is not a money Bill.
The government can only be forced to call an election if it is defeated in the Budget, vote of no confidence or any other money Bill.
Matthew Grima
Oct 9th 2012, 10:31
Why does everyone keep mentioning the past?
I do not care about the past, I am living in the present. Both parties did their fair bit of bad in their time, and some were affected while others weren't.
This one of the biggest problems in Malta's mentality when it comes to politics, we look too far backwards to decide on the future.
A good number of voters nowadays do not remember the 80s, let alone the 60s. Yet the backward-minded people are cancelling their vote based on what happened to their grand parents decades ago.
Very sad.
pat muscat
Oct 9th 2012, 10:18
The more GonziPn procrastinates, the more the Pl will win political capital; its the first law of politics: don't play with democracy as this will ALWAYS backfire! As from today the hemorrhage of votes from GonziPN will be unstoppable.
Francis Attard
Oct 9th 2012, 09:50
Sadanittant il-'parkers' attwali jibqaw jitolbu flus kemm iridu minhajr ma johorgu ircevuta tal-VAT.
Prosit Mr Speaker.
fredu debono
Oct 9th 2012, 09:15
For the PL and its allies, all that is important, is a vote against the goverment.
A. Mizzi
Oct 9th 2012, 09:57
.....and the Members of the House on the PN Back Bench, and JPO the Independent Candidate , do you consider them as allies?
If in the affirmative, well than there is a problem or a CRISIS ,as the Government than has NO MAJORITY in Parliament !
Ivan cachia
Oct 9th 2012, 08:57
Indeed a farce.......wanting to debate a motion against privatisation of car parks when this has been shelved!!!! All of a sudden this has become more important than the debate on IVF.......the PL is one hell of a big JOKE......as one of them had said......their only goal is to remove the PN from power.......and then we'll see......
Victor Laiviera
Oct 9th 2012, 09:54
You are missing the wood for the trees. This is not about car parks - this is about the principle of majority rule and democracy.
Brian Gatt
Oct 9th 2012, 10:07
Ivan, now the IVF is important? do you know how long this issue has been pending ? and something is happening thanks to JPO who took it as a personal crusade and the PL who support the concept of IVF.
You PN lackeys are always ready to try and manipulate the facts to your party's favor.
C Muscat
Oct 9th 2012, 08:53
And for anyone requesting the speaker's role..... it is not and never was independent but fair and reasonable according to the standing orders and his main scope of business is to see that the parliament survives.
M Farrugia
Oct 9th 2012, 11:17
@Victor Laivier Tghidu x'tghid certa individwi fuq dan il-blog il-verita hija li L.P. ghandu lubliba ghal poter u qed jghmel minn kollox sabiex iwaqqa il-Gvern b'ghajnnna ta dawk li ttradew lil dawk li ivvutawlom. F'Malta l-elettorat jivvota ghal Partit u wara jaghzel lil kandidat dak li jahseb li huwa l-ahjar li jista jafda. Allura dak li qed tghid ma iregix Minghandek nistenna xi haga ahjr u mhux thares sa imniehrek biss. Dwar id-decizzjoni tal-ispeaker jiena nirrispetta ghax mexa fuq dak li ghamel hadd iehor u skond l-istanding orders. Anki hawn imissek taf ahjar ghax Alla jahfirlu l-papa tieghek kin wiehed mill-ahjar speakers li kellu l-parlament Malti u taf ukoll li kien jimxi mal-istanding orders kif suppost.
C Muscat
Oct 9th 2012, 08:51
The Chair had to follow the existing rules, even though it appreciated that they needed to be updated...
It is not for the chair to update and the chair as always has to work by the rules; I do not think we need any update; it was good during miriam spiteri chairmanship and it is good now (ie the same rules).
If PL and FD wants the parliament to stop; there are the DIRECT vote of confidence and this will state whether the present government can continue or not; otherwise the government WILL manage the business.
FD as a lawyer knows that rules are to be followed even case law sometimes help.
J Busuttil
Oct 9th 2012, 08:50
To all PL elves who feel let down you should blame it on PL ex Speaker Spiteri Debono.
As the saying goes what goes around comes around ( This goes for both parties)
Brian Gatt
Oct 9th 2012, 15:42
Better elves then lackeys any day
Joseph Fava
Oct 9th 2012, 08:44
The Opposition should propose a Vote of No Confidence in the Speaker and the, after his resignation, put foward a motion to appoint a non-partisan Speaker. Enough is enough.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Oct 9th 2012, 08:26
@ Victor Laiviera today at 00:31,
What is "Truly, truly shameful" and antidemocratic is KMB governing for five years and five months against the democratically expressed wish of the Malta electorate.
This government has a legitimate and democratic mandate to govern for five years and that mandate is still running although nearing its natural expiry. Up to now the combined efforts of the LP and a couple of NP renegades have not succeeded to pass a vote of no confidence in the government - and that is not because they have not tried hard as they could.
David Caruana
Oct 9th 2012, 08:48
WRONG! This or any other government has a legitimate and democratic mandate to govern for AS LONG AS IT IS SUPPORTED BY THE MAJORITY OF MPs!
These who you call 'renegades' robbed the Governments of its majority.
It is indeed worrying to see democracy being raped so blatantly and you dinosaurs trying to justify such rape.
The real pity is that PL, in my opinion, offers no true alternative for good governance.
Luckily, Malta isn't the only country on the face of this planet where one can settle down ;-p
Anthony Scicluna
Oct 9th 2012, 08:52
To be honest, the 'vote of no confidence' badgering is as shameful and as treacherous as KMB governing with zero votes and against the majority of the electorate. There again, what would you expect from people who take things literally.
Paul Bajada
Oct 9th 2012, 08:52
Democratic laws in 1981 read that those who had seat majority could govern! Therefore the MLP had a legitimate and democratic mandate to govern the country in 1981
May be you forget to mention that these laws were not the fruit of the MLP BUT of Borg Olivier's PN who introduced them!
Besides, you are in no position to give us lectures in democracy where there are various local councils with a PN minority but being run under a PN administrations/local council (as is the case of Mosta and Floriana) where in both occasions the PL has proven electoral majority.
Shame on you and your disinformation campaign!
Victor Laiviera
Oct 9th 2012, 09:23
Wrong, Mr Saliba, fundamentally wrong.
Five years are simply the maximum period allowed between elections. The mandate runs as long as there is a majority in the House - not a second longer.
That majority has clearly been lost, and the mandate with it.
We have an illegitimate Government.
Drocan Lubstuit
Oct 9th 2012, 09:32
Dear Dr Saliba,
So by your argument the PN is a virgin on such matters? Do you not remember that in 1996, the then MLP led by Dr Sant obtained one of the greatest electoral victories in the Maltese political history with a 7,000 votes in majority after bringing back 14,000 from the previous defeat?
With a 7,000 vote majority which equals to about 2 seats in parliament, Dr Sant's government only had to do with a single seat majority.
And what happened in the last election? The PN obtained 1,500 votes votes over the MLP, that's barely a stool rather than a seat, but did not have the majority of seats so much so that 4 had to be allowed for the elected governement in Parliament in order for it to "govern" with a one seat majority, after all the Maltese Parliament usually has 65 seats with MP's being elected in 5's per each of the 13 districts, but for the past 5 years we've had 69 representatives. Remember also that the PN in 2008 did not even get an absolute majority of votes in the said election!
So how do you level the situation of governing anti-democratically between the two parties and the respective governments now Dr Saliba? Both had suffered defeats of some kind, but both were given a mandate as per their constitutional rights.
Can you really point a finger at ANY of the two parties?
Matthew Grima
Oct 9th 2012, 10:39
Drocan Lubstuit, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.
David Caruana
Oct 9th 2012, 08:08
These devious tactics from the government's side are not impressing anyone. Throughout all my childhood I've been told how the Labour party made a mockery out of democracy before 1987. Now I'm seeing what used to be my party doing just the same. The only difference is that Labour did it in the open and the Nationalists try to cover it up under a pile of baseless arguments.
I had enough of both and my vote will reflect this sentiment. Enough of these clowns!
PROTEST VOTE : IN FAVOUR OF 'SMALL' PARTIES OR INDIPENDENTS - AGAINST THE PNPL FARCE.
Joseph Borg
Oct 9th 2012, 10:07
PERFECTLY WELL SAID and AGREED!
E Schembri
Oct 9th 2012, 11:44
Well said.
This will be my first election where my vote will not go to the PN, having said that, neither will I vote for the PL as some old faces and mentalities still linger on.
Lets hope that AD will not come up with some pre-election stupidity as they currently have my attention.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Oct 9th 2012, 13:00
Mr Caruana - I am in the same position as you. I was at tal-Barrani and had to run for my life. I got hit at an independence demonstration in Valletta. Only now to see the Nationalist Party under Dr Gonzi being torn apart and making a mockery of democracy. Shame!
A Cachia
Oct 9th 2012, 07:46
They can discuss if the chicken or the egg came first as long as the rules are respected. If the rules do not make sense then they should agree on updating them.
ALBERT FENECH
Oct 9th 2012, 07:31
Is the Speaker supposed to be "neutral" or does he merely front for the Government? Well, the Government has been harping on about the "bad" days 30 years ago, no Mars Bars (what a disaster!) etc. Well, it seems however that it's perfectly correct for the Speaker to go back 30 years and "invoke" a ruling taken then! What does one call this - hypocrisy, deception ... ?
ALBERT FENECH
A Trapani
Oct 9th 2012, 08:14
Not really... One has to work on what he has if what he has was never updated. Same thing with the laws of Malta and penalties given to defaulters. Unless our parliamentarians get on with it and approve updates, we will have to work on what we have.
M Cassar
Oct 9th 2012, 09:01
Are you saying she was wrong back then? If not, then what's the problem? Same rules apply.
ALBERT FENECH
Oct 9th 2012, 10:04
Mr Cassar, if she was wrong, two wrongs do not make a right and if she was wrong and after 30 years the same mistake is repeated - well that speaks for itself. According to the present governing clique, everything about 30 years ago was wrong. So how can it be right now? In 1981, both parties contested the General Election knowing the rules and regulations and accepting them. The result was a quirk but you can't change the goal-posts because you have lost. Eventually, the MLP righted the wrongs because it was and has always been a democratic organisation. The current governing clique has lost its majority in Parliament, will not admit to it and continues to govern in moral illegitimacy.
ALBERT FENECH
Thomas Mifsud
Oct 9th 2012, 07:28
Kemm se ndumu nisfnu fin-nofs aħna? Tuna dak li rridu tuna d-dritt li nivvutaw. Kull ġurnata bil-gvern ta GonziPN hi ġurnata moħlija fl-istorja ta' Malta. Moħlija fil-veru sens tal-kelma.
M.Dolores Vassallo
Oct 9th 2012, 07:23
NAPPELLA LIL MEMBRI PARLAMENTARI LABURISTA U DAWK TA RIEDA TAJBA BIEX JIBBOJKOTJAW MILLI JIDHLU L-PARLAMENT. JM QUM MIN HEMM GHAX SER JERGA JIBDILI.
Ramon Mangion
Oct 9th 2012, 08:06
M.Dolores, nahseb li JM ilu li qam... huwa GonziPN li ghadu granfat..
John L Galea
Oct 9th 2012, 08:32
M. Dolores: JM ilu jhanbaq imma GOnziPN irid jibqa mwahhal mas-siggu at all costs.
William Caligari
Oct 9th 2012, 09:56
Dolores,
Ma naqbelx mieghek, sorry.
Anzi nghid lil Joseph Muscat flimkien mal-group parlamentari sabiex jibqghu
kalmi u jzommu sod sa' l-ahhar.
Din cara, provokkazzjoni min PN sabiex il-poplu jqum, u jkun hawn l-imkwiet.
Zommu kalmi, l-arlogg dejjem qieghed idur,kontra l-Partit fil-Gvern.
mark borg
Oct 9th 2012, 07:06
halli veru jkompli jkisser lil tal hwienet gonzi se jghamel kampanja elettorali fi zmien il milied.
Dennis Zammit
Oct 9th 2012, 04:53
Parliamentary majority was given by the people during the last election and the MPs were elected for at least 5 years.
Therefore, no one inside the Parliament can change this majority just for his personal agenda. The constitution GAVE the Nationalist Party the majority and therefore, neither Franco Debono nor JPO can remove it at their free will.
We know it and THEY know it.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Oct 9th 2012, 13:03
Nonsense. Where does it say on the ballot sheet that you voting for MPs for at least five years? This is a spin put out buy GOnziPn and you stop saying the same nonsense. A party stays in government as long as it has majority support in parliament. GOzniPN does not have majority supprt and it is defying democracy each day it stays in government. Shame on them!
John Zammit
Oct 9th 2012, 01:22
Why wasting more time and people's money Hold the election now not in December
Joseph Borg
Oct 9th 2012, 00:36
Had-ddumu dduru mal-lewz kollu li ssibu u tahlu il-hin tal-POPLU! !!!
ELEZZJONI ISSA u MALAJR!!!! U dan qed jghidu EX-Nazzjonalista!!!!!
A Trapani
Oct 9th 2012, 08:11
Waste of time by the opposition supported by the usual rebel.... Elezjoni f'waqta... U dan qed jghidu Nazzjonalist ta vera!!!!!
Victor Laiviera
Oct 9th 2012, 00:31
Truly, truly shameful.
We have no right to call our selves a parliamentary democracy any longer.
Richard Caruana
Oct 9th 2012, 07:29
So what was good for Alfred Sant's Labour is now not good for that of Joseph Muscat?
You even describe 'shameful' the ruling issued by Speaker Myriam Spiteri Debono. And we now also know that during Alfred Sant's government we had no right to call it a parliamentary democracy. Good to know at least after 15 years.
How stupid of me not to realise.... of course, those 22 months of Labour government never existed according to PL elves who persist with the mantra that the PN has been in office for 25 years!
effie stafrace
Oct 9th 2012, 00:16
its a mystery how our parlaiment has lowered itself to such shame
Justin Tabone
Oct 8th 2012, 23:32
The issue is not all about car parks but on one simple question.....does the Government enjoy parliamentary majority?? does the government have enough support to continue??? does the government still believe in democracy?? They just believe in one thing.......eternal power.
Joe Tabone
Oct 8th 2012, 23:53
@ Justin,
One simple question - Is business SAFE with Labour? NO.
Do Labour believe in business, where you can compete in a tender process, in this case 32 tenders? NO.
Labour believe in an unregulated working environment with parkers charging the PUBLIC unregulated 'tips' for using PUBLIC land......................is this SAFE for business!!??
J. Borg
Oct 8th 2012, 23:57
Very correct.....
D. Xerri
Oct 9th 2012, 00:10
WELL Said !
This Instability has been going on for entire months and still the Government did NOT tackle it - Instead he went for 3 months Vacation and NOW the Situation is Even Worse - you can run once from a problem , maybe run twice but it keeps Coming Back to You - Cause You and Only You have to Decide to Solve this Instability you brought forward !
A Trapani
Oct 9th 2012, 08:27
Justin, eternal power does not exist where there are elections held every 5 years and in a few weeks time, we will have elections, hence, your statement does not hold. Also, the issue this time is about car parks and that's where we're wasting time. Regarding to support for the gov, one has to see if a money bill goes through or not which will answer our question. If not, we're all going for elections immediately don't worry and no one can cling to power. The reality is that the government and the country have been performing considering what you call instability. The unfortunate thing is that there are rebels within the party in government who do not care about anything but their own personal agendas.
Brian Gatt
Oct 9th 2012, 09:09
@ Joe Tabone
Is buisness safe with PL? how could you even ask that question? i could re-direct that question is there any buisness under the Pn that is not ruled by the small clique around the PM? I prefer to pay a Eur 1.00 tip to a parker then pay the exorbitant prices the private owned car parks charge.
Joseph Mifsud
Oct 8th 2012, 23:30
Gonzi is urging to discuss the budget....after taking a whole summer of vacation...
Joe Borg
Oct 8th 2012, 23:16
issa din tal car parks mhux bla sens .... mid dehra giet posposta ghal wara l elezjoni u il PL xorta irridu vot ghax jafu li bdak il buffu ta Debono ser iwaqaw il gvern. Mhux ahjar l elezjoni tithabar wara il Milied ha jkolna Milied sura ta nies ... xejn xejn l elezjoni issir issa jew 6 xhur ohra ma taghmilx differenza jekk xorta ser jitilaw il PL
Victor Laiviera
Oct 9th 2012, 00:21
Tagħmel differenza - għax tfisser sitt xhur oħra ta' pjaċiri u korruzzjoni.
Noel Gatt
Oct 8th 2012, 23:16
Din gharukaza. Ilu weekend jaf li ha jkollu din is-sitwazzjoni lispeaker u ma kiex ippreparat.
Illum nkunu nafu min imexxi Malta, hux il parlament jew il PM. Nispera li tirbah id demokrazzija parlamentari!
J Busuttil
Oct 8th 2012, 23:48
@ Noel Gatt
So democracy is only one if the Speaker rules in favour of PL. A taste of what to come if Labour is elected.
Alfred Cassar
Oct 8th 2012, 23:11
Labour arrogance at its best
Europe is sinking and our stupid opposition wants to discuss car parks with urgency
Vavi
B. Cachia
Oct 9th 2012, 06:32
What they want to discuss, essentially, is whether the government really enjoys a majority in Parliament or not. That's by no means a small issue, as you know.
A Trapani
Oct 9th 2012, 08:32
B.Cachia.... Then discuss the budget and lets have a vote on the money bill so we will all know and not waste time on a shelved car park motion
B. Cachia
Oct 9th 2012, 08:55
@ A Trapani: That's more than a month away, as you know. The uncertainty as to whether the government is in a position to get anything done in Parliament is not doing the country any good and should be settled one way or the other.
roberto bordino
Oct 8th 2012, 23:09
wHO WILL BE THE OWNERS OF THESE CAR PARKS? WILL THEY BE RELATED TO THE GOVERNMENT IN ANY WAY?
Joe Tabone
Oct 8th 2012, 23:35
Roberto,
You can submit a bid for any one (or all) of these 32 tenders.
This is the way business works...................you don't take public land for free and charge tips to car park users.
It seems that LABOUR is NOT safe for business afterall!
Tony Camilleri
Oct 8th 2012, 23:56
Joe Tabone if you want to do business do it with your own property not with PUBLIC property.
Philip Hili
Oct 9th 2012, 00:29
@ Joe Tabone
Very well said :- "It seems that LABOUR is NOT safe for business afterall!"
Ghalhekk ftit ilu lin-negozjanti qalilhom "inhallukom tahdmu"!!!! Imma mill-kliem ghal fatti, hemm bahar jikkumbatti.
Tinqabdu fi kliemkom stess!!! lanqas daqshekk ma tafu!!!!
J Axiaq
Oct 9th 2012, 00:34
@ Joe Tabone - in the past 25 years the PN was always in govt, except for 22months. Please bear with me and use some logical thinking here, for the past 25 years the PN were happy with the situation of giving away public land for free :) If both parties want to do something good ---> they should both agree to kick away parkers from parking areas that doesn't need any ;) I do not no one to tell me to park in a white box ;)
Paul Ellul
Oct 8th 2012, 22:54
Let's try to put it in simple terms...
The Government, the people of Malta and their pets can agree on one simple fact.... The house of which 36 members are united in wanting an urgent debate on how a govt. ministry, led by a Minister issued tenders for car parks without any consultation whatsoever. That is an absolute majority.
The 36 members reasoning must surely be fuelled no doubt by facts like, TM did with Arriva's routes, not actively consulting with anyone, and like the minister bull dozed along with the Delimara extension.
In the end it was the last straw which broke the camels back, and not the much heavier 50,0000.
And that most likely is what caused an uproar in the public eye!
So it is really not about car parks at all. It is mainly about accountability and transparency. and it all about Democracy.
So with that out of the way, let’s focus on the facts as they stand.
1) The majority of members in Parliament carry a helluva lot of weight, way above proceedual motions, rules, house business and the 1001 other excuses being thrown around the room.
2) The speaker is obliged to respect the majority of the house and in this case it was presented to the speaker that this matter is to be discussed immediately.
3) There is no other way out. The debate must be held immediately.
4) If it is not, Democracy in Malta has been destroyed and the Constitution is being attacked.
I appeal as a Maltese citizen of our beloved island Country , to the Dr. Bencini’s and Profs. Refalos of this great Country to stand up and tell the little men in there to grow up and behave like we expect them to! And that they have to follow the rules.
Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti
Oct 8th 2012, 22:53
Could not parliament move a motion of no confidence in teh speaker?
J Busuttil
Oct 8th 2012, 23:53
@ Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti
Of course it could. All that has to be done is Joseph Muscat informs Franco to do so and Fatta DONE.
Paul Bajada
Oct 8th 2012, 22:53
This government is truly a dictatorship!
A Trapani
Oct 9th 2012, 08:39
Just to remind you... A dictatorship is a government that dictates when the people have to do... Just like when the labour party used to only allow his friends to import bulk buying goods into Malta or go beg a minister for a telephone line. If this government was a dictatorship, you wouldn't be writing your opinion on a blog and expressing your opposition on the same government.
Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti
Oct 8th 2012, 22:52
"Dr Borg argued that it was only ministers who could move the adjournment motion." Further proof of an oligarchy. So much for democracy, according to Tonio Borg.
A Dimech
Oct 8th 2012, 22:46
The majority of parliament wants to discuss the motion ... The majority should win ... FULL STOP!!
Carmel (Nenu) Aquilina
Oct 8th 2012, 22:46
Il-poplu Malti u Għawdxi il-Budget jried u għandu bżonn, u li għandu dritt għaliħ Sinjuri Parlamentari!
Jekk joġgħobkom Sinjuri onorevoli, iċċaħdux lill poplu Malti u Għawdxi minn dan il-budget 2012-2013!
Dan il-budget 2012-2013 hu bi dritt tagħna l-poplu Malti u Għawdxi biex inkomplu ngħixu aħjar u nimxu l-quddiem fil-paċi u l-progress!
Albert Critien
Oct 8th 2012, 22:45
This is like fun and games,it used to be played ages ago, finding the missing object, the closer it gets, the hotter it is, but it never cost the taxpayer money.
WHY is the car park so important if not for the obvious, this is scandalous
G Tonna
Oct 8th 2012, 22:43
Labour is not genuine and is in collusion with a government backbencher! The speaker cannot take such motions as urgent. He would be fully justified in giving priority to the IVF and cohabitation ones.
daniel farrugia
Oct 9th 2012, 09:12
IVF and cohabitation laws are now urgent!! hahhaha haluna pls
fredu debono
Oct 8th 2012, 22:30
jekk ma ghandix nemmen li qed tahraqkom qalbkom ghal car parks!!!!!!!! U tghid mhux hekk. qed tahraqkom qalbkom biex tippruvaw twaqqghu il-gvern u ssir elezzjoni. la sibtu l-purcinelli......
D. Xerri
Oct 9th 2012, 00:03
Tista ghall Darba Tbaxxi rasek u tammetti li L-Gvern Tilef il-Maggoranza Parlamentari ? il-kwistjoni kollha hi dik !
Irrelevanti jekk hux il-car parks, il-budget, il-mozzjoni ta` sfiducja fil-Ministri Austin Gatt u Cassar Etc Etc
Victor Laiviera
Oct 8th 2012, 22:29
To all those who cannot (or pretend they cannot) see the real issue.
It's not about which is more important , the budget or car-parks. It's about democracy and the rule of the majority.
joseph borg st john
Oct 9th 2012, 01:30
U ejja Vic int qedd titkellem fuq demokrazija u magorita mela kemm anghdek memorja qasira u dan fi zminkom .
A. Mizzi
Oct 8th 2012, 22:28
National Intterest or NATIONAList Party's interests first and foremost?
Joe Tabone
Oct 8th 2012, 22:24
The LABOUR saga on the private investors who planned to invest through the 32 competitive tenders for the mangement CONSESSIONS of the car parks is clear -
LABOUR IS NOT SAFE TO BUSINESS
LABOUR WON'T LET YOU WORK
LABOUR WON'T WORK
LABOUR model for car parks (and business) is to let squatters occupy Government property, charge the public and give nothing back!
George Cutajar
Oct 8th 2012, 22:20
What is the urgency to debate car parks especially that Government has suspended the process and invited the Opposition to discuss?
Well obviously the PL is once more smelling blood and is ready to pounce.
Peter Simpson
Oct 8th 2012, 22:17
We are back in a stalemate not for reasons of state but for partisan reasons. Dr Gonzi lost his majority and the only decent and democratic thing to do is to go to the President and tell him that he has lost his majority.
twanny borg
Oct 8th 2012, 22:17
il-maggoranza tal-poplu ivvutat pn fl-ahhar elezzjoni biex jigverna ghal hames snin u kullhadd irid jirrispetta l-verdett tal-poplu. il-pl ghamel aktar minn hames snin jigverna kontra r-rieda tal-maggoranza tal-poplu.
suggett ghal-korrezzjoni, imma jaqgha l-gvern mhux meta jkun hemm xi hadd min-naha tal-gvern jaqsam il-kamra u l-gvern ma jibqalux maggorranza?
x'jigri jekk l-ispeaker jiddeciedi kontra kif qed titlob l-oppozizzjoni? ma nafx forsi titressaq xi mozzjoni ohra?jista' jigri hekk?
Stefan Busuttil
Oct 8th 2012, 22:16
Christian Ellul ......Oh please dont put the blame on Pl supporters !!! This soapopera must come to an end . Forget pl members, 3 of pn members are putting down a minister after the other . GONZI LOST CONTROL . PARLAMENT IS A FARCE . SHAME ON HIM !!!!
m. borg (slm)
Oct 8th 2012, 22:15
Gonzi is running SCARED what ever the S apologists in here say.
He was never a politician just the voice box of RCC and Austin Gatt
Victor Vella
Oct 8th 2012, 22:14
Mr speaker your GonziPN is in minority. The opposition and the other 2 ex PN candidates dictate what to do not you. You are just there to fill up holes that have been now covered. GonziPN is illegal and against the constitution. Democracy in Malta is at stake. The Maltese people are a good case study that they want peace because the opposition never wanted any trouble and is not seeding any hatred as the PN had done in the past and now through Gonzi when he said Franco Debono- Go say against the labour from morning till night. Sow hatred to labour otherwise we are going to continue sinking in the mud of arrogance, hatred, corruption and incompetency. If what Gonzi is doing in Greece or Spain, these two countries are in an inferno.
laurent caruana
Oct 9th 2012, 07:42
Mr. Speaker quoted a ruling by the then ex-Speaker Myriam Spiteri Debono. Mela int qampiena wahda tisma???
Victor Vella
Oct 8th 2012, 22:13
Why is it that the opposition, including Franco Debono, do not want the goverment to present the budget? what are they afraid of? That it i snot in the interest of Franco Debono that we hear the budget one can understand as most probably he would face a dilemma by voting against it, but the PL can always change the budget if and when elected.Or maybe they are afraid that we reap the fruit of out labour for the last 5 years, maybe they are afraid to let the people know tha whilst Europe is burning we are still in a fire proof country.
P Azzopardi
Oct 8th 2012, 21:56
HOPELESS LABOUR ....AS USUAL ......BLA SUSTANZA
A Dimech
Oct 8th 2012, 22:05
intom ghandkom sustanza!!
m. borg (slm)
Oct 8th 2012, 22:12
Bla sustanza min jibza jiddibatti l-hniezrijiet li qed naraw.
Mela l-ewwel Joe Cassar sab €8 miljuni zejda fil-budget tas-sahha issa sabu €20 miljun + €12miljun biex jixtri u jikri sparijiet minn ghand bazuzlizimu li sa ftit ilu kien qed jghajjar l-istess gvern.
R. Balzan
Oct 8th 2012, 22:15
Hopeless Labour? Il-Prim dahhal lilu nnifsu f'rokna li difficli johrog minnha. Il-maggoranza tal-membri f'Parlament ghandha dritt li tiddetta HI l-agenda bhal ma ghamel dejjem il-gvern stess meta kellu l-maggoranza. Illum li m'ghandux maggoranza ghandu joqghod ghal dak li jridu l-maggoranza tal-membri. QED.
Stefan Busuttil
Oct 8th 2012, 22:18
Bis serjeta ????? Imma bis serjeta ??? u andek il kuragg tghid li l PL bla sustanza???? pffff
fredu debono
Oct 8th 2012, 22:28
sustanza wahda ghandkom, li ma tibqghux timmuffaw fl-oppozizzjoni.
Mr Alexander Azzopardi
Oct 8th 2012, 22:35
Bla Sustanza >> meta Rcc sar ghadnu poter iktar Mil parliament !
meta titghalem titkelem fuq il politika u tikber tkellem!
Mr Eric Camilleri
Oct 8th 2012, 22:35
Sur Azzopardi Gvern bil-maggoranza u maghqud ma' jibza minn hadd u minn xejn!!!
Andrew Cumbo
Oct 8th 2012, 23:26
Hopeless is our democracy with this PN government, its now 23:25 and we are still waiting for the speaker to give his ruling. Is it a rocket science to make the speaker decide? The 2009 motion states clearly that the majority in Parliament demand and can overrule on any programmed agenda.
Tony Camilleri
Oct 9th 2012, 00:03
Meta se nikbru fredu debono?
Christian Ellul
Oct 8th 2012, 21:55
Only Labour sympathizers are commenting. Why should parliament focus on car parks when we should be focusing on a fiscal union, banking union a european recession and an international meltdown. Labour are really putting their interests before the national interests and please dont put democracy in question. It seems that every time an issue crops in parliament, labourites question democracy.
If i had to take lessons on democracy, surely i wouldnt go to Labour or their fanatics for lectures. Democracy is surely not part of Labours culture from historic times down to their roots.
Luke Falzon
Oct 8th 2012, 22:04
It was your own government who wanted to privatise car parks! Why are you insisting on calling it a waste of time from the Opposition side?
Joseph Bonnici
Oct 8th 2012, 22:11
As a non Labour sympathizer I can assure Mr.Ellul that in 1987 I voted for democracy. Sadly today what I fought for no longer counts. Yes Mr. Ellul this is an attack on parliamentary democracy. Regarding lessons on democracy neither Gonzipn can give us lectures. Sadly we are in the same state as we were back in the seventies and there is no denying it.
m. borg (slm)
Oct 8th 2012, 22:13
Because there is a motion of no confidence in a minister.
Morons
Pierre Fenech
Oct 8th 2012, 22:29
I agree with you Joseph Bonnici 100%. This is the biggest attck on democracy since the 1980's
Christian Ellul
Oct 8th 2012, 22:42
@ Mr. Falzon, I'm not questioning whether the car park motion should be discussed. I'm questioning why a car park motion should be discussed with urgency when their are other priorities which are much more important in the interest of this country.
When we argue about whether a car park motion should be discussed with urgency its the same as saying their is nothing to be discussed in this country which is more important than whether public car parks should be run by private companies or not. If we sincerely think this matter should be treated with urgency than we are out of sync with the world we live-in. Other than that the only other justification to this matter being treated with urgency is political opportunism.
Andrew Cumbo
Oct 8th 2012, 23:34
Is it democracy to take public land and give it to who you decide Mr. Ellul? Or worse set things by yourself because you are the Transport Minister, and decide as this land was his own land? And how is now you are aware of the fiscal, banking and EU recession, Where were you when this government granted himself €500 a week?
Tony Camilleri
Oct 9th 2012, 00:05
If you want fiscal union emigrate to another eu country because Malta does not want it.
Nicky Azzopardi
Oct 8th 2012, 21:53
Listening to Joe Mizzi almost makes us forget that under Labour administrations, opposition motions were disregarded and blatantly thrown out, as Labour trampled over anything not exactly to their liking
Disgusting. Labour will always be Labour.
Mr Eric Camilleri
Oct 8th 2012, 22:37
Mr.Azzopardi,
Your comment is a picture what is happening now. Past is past now its gone!
G Schembri
Oct 8th 2012, 22:45
Which Labour government? The 96-98 or the 80s Labour government? Let me remind you that in 1998 Alfred Sant with only one member voting against him or abstaining resigned and called an early election, since he said he couldn't govern in such a manner, but then Alfred Sant was not clinging to power no matter what.
Roberta Sciberras
Oct 8th 2012, 22:48
The only difference, and believe me in a Parliamentary democracy it is a very BIG difference, is that back then, if motions were thrown out they were so thrown out by a majority of votes. The present administration does not even want to face the motion because it knows it does not command a majority of the House. In a nutshell that is the hallmark of a totalitarian state.
Joseph Mifsud
Oct 8th 2012, 23:28
You are so pathetic....
Ethelbert Schembri
Oct 8th 2012, 21:47
The clear majority (36 against 33 of the PN) of the members in the house are in favor that the motion has to be discussed immediately !!
Julian Borg
Oct 8th 2012, 22:05
36 small minds if they all think the car parks debate is urgent!
m farrugia
Oct 8th 2012, 22:10
mela vera parlament baqq ghandna, panic u dillirju fuq erba car parks, ahjar inkomplu nirsistu fuq il jobs u l-ekonimija ghax dalwaqt nispiccaw bhal barra bla xoghol u b ruxmata taxex
G Schembri
Oct 8th 2012, 22:49
@ julian Borg and M Farrugia - maybe the carpark issue is not important for you, you will only realise how importat it is when you will have to pay a daily 3euro to park your car for work. What is urgent in your opinion a pre election Budget which will not pass since Austin Gatt will still be there?
Paul Sammut
Oct 8th 2012, 21:43
i guess their is no reason to wait for the ruling we all know what its going to be as always.
anthony bartolo
Oct 8th 2012, 22:36
Still thirsty for power .............. keep on dreaming................what you think is so near is far far far aaawwwaaayyy.
Joe aquilina
Oct 8th 2012, 21:38
pn tal misthija
Victor Laiviera
Oct 8th 2012, 21:35
Parliamentary democracy under attack.
There is no limit to which this government will not sink in order to cling to power.
Anthony Scicluna
Oct 8th 2012, 22:05
Especially when you consider that the present motions including the budget are trivial in relation to a shelved project about privatisation.
A. Mizzi
Oct 8th 2012, 22:32
Will he bite the hand that feeds him?????
G Schembri
Oct 8th 2012, 22:51
What Budget Mr Scicluna, Dr Gonzi and the majority of the Maltese know the Budget will not pass, since Dr Debono said he will vote against it if Austin Gatt is still a Minister.
Please choose the reason of your report below: