Recording - MEPs question Tonio Borg
MEPS this afternoon questioned Maltese Foreign Minister Tonio Borg to assess his suitability to serve as European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Affairs.
Follow extracts of the proceedings below:
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61 Comments
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Angelo Vassallo
Nov 14th 2012, 14:51
@ Martin Saliba
I do not think that Dr Tonio Borg ever mentioned same sex marriages in the context you are talking about.
Claire Busuttil
Nov 13th 2012, 21:19
as a Maltese, I found it really offending the question asked by the female MEP with the curly blonde hair....I beleive she speaks german....about Malta and contraceptives. It was an insult.
Martin Saliba
Nov 13th 2012, 20:23
What surprised me is that Tonio Borg said in answer to the second question, that he co piloted a cohabitation law that included same sex marriage . Was it a genuine mistake or a misleading answer . Apart from that i think he made maltese proud with his unflinching responses to some very difficult questions.
Mr Mario Mifsud
Nov 13th 2012, 19:42
Dr Tonio Borg was not afraid to state his views while at the same time showing that he is capable to take on the responsibilities of Commissioner for Health and Consumer Affairs. No mean task.
Congratulations !
Now it is up to EU Parliamentarians to vote which I believe they will vote in their majority to confirm Dr Borg , as Commissioner.
Salvino Zammit
Nov 13th 2012, 20:39
Dr. Borg ghamiltilna unur- ergajt poggejt l-Isem ta'malta fejn verament jixraqlu- Tonio malta kollha warajk.
Alfred Grech
Nov 13th 2012, 19:33
Tonio was great - his honesty and integrity showed up in his replies. I'm sure they'll approve him and once there, he'll be the number 1 gentleman in the EU Parliament.
Anthony Pace
Nov 13th 2012, 19:14
I still think that he will be set back as his views are not convincing!!
Joseph Aquilina
Nov 13th 2012, 19:20
That is what you wish. In the interview he clearly showed WHY he is the right person for the job.
Alfred Falzon
Nov 13th 2012, 19:03
@ Karl Consiglio
In a democracy MALTESE democrats don't pressgang people to vote against their will!
Dr Tonio Borg stuck to his principles as did Dr Gonzi and other MPs right across the Parliamentary board.
D referendum was won by a minority who voted yes, lost by a minority who voted no and an overall majority who cast their vote or ABSTAINED by sitting on the fence.
Alfred A. Falzon
D Borg
Nov 13th 2012, 19:34
by your same reasoning...
the EU referendum was 'won' by a minority
and we have been governed by a minority government
Charles J. Buttigieg
Nov 13th 2012, 18:48
I think that Tonio Borg was brilliant in the most superlative terms during the grilling in Brussels which has just ended. I’ll be posting some observations in due course but generally speaking he left a very good impression on me.
Karl Consiglio
Nov 13th 2012, 18:25
He voted against the will of the people in the divorce referendum.
Malcolm Mizzi
Nov 13th 2012, 18:39
the usual line.. what about the will of the minority? MPs are representatives of the people not delegates.
Karl Consiglio
Nov 13th 2012, 18:45
Minorities don't win referenda.
Daniel Goggi
Nov 13th 2012, 18:55
strange.. I remember someone saying that the no vote won a referendum because all the non voters were to be included with the no vote..
joe cutajar
Nov 13th 2012, 19:11
allura hekk hass fil kuxjenza tieghu mela jivota kif thoss int jew
James De Giorgio
Nov 13th 2012, 19:19
Karl, he was PERFECTLY ENTITLED to vote as he pleased, as long as he ensured that the will of the majority was respected, and in fact, the governmet did not obstruct the introduction of divorce as lawful practice.
I, for one, expected him to vote the way he did, given that I voted for him to vote the way he did.
So, there; he voted according to my will, and half the population at that.
Ms Rudi Mcbeal
Nov 13th 2012, 19:22
He sure did, Mr Consiglio. Sticking by ones principles and not being a hypocrite is definitely NO crime.
Now, enough ranting for today, please.
Kevin Cassar
Nov 13th 2012, 19:48
@ Malcolm Mizzi
In the divorce legislation issue, the will of the (eventual) minority was to deny the (eventual) majority the right of choice. The outcome does not deny anything to the losing side, except the right to impose their views on the rest. It's very sad that so many people still fail to grasp this concept.
James De Giorgio
Nov 13th 2012, 22:13
Kevin Cassar, THAT is warped logic. It could be easily applied the other way round, arguing for the importance of the status quo. I am against the legalisation of cocaine. Am I then imposing my views on the other? Sure not. And if a referendum on cocaine came up, I'd vote no. Now, if I'm asked in a referendum to vote on an issue, I'll have to vote the way I feel, right? Basic democracy
C Muscat
Nov 13th 2012, 18:20
Prosit Dr Borg!
Alan Attard
Nov 13th 2012, 18:17
How appeasing it is to see the Maltese MEPs all together congratulating Dr. Borg on his performance in the European Parliament today. It shows maturity, patriotism and in a sense comradeship despite being from diverse political beliefs.
Saviour Fenech
Nov 13th 2012, 18:13
Prosit Dr Tonio Borg.
You have been eloquent, confident and well prepared in this grilling. You made us proud.
Alexander Montebello
Nov 13th 2012, 18:12
Well done, Dr Borg... i will be very surprised if you didn't get the job!
Mr Anthony Agius
Nov 13th 2012, 18:04
Dr Antoine Agius
Tonio Borg has always been examplary in his private and public life he shall enhance Malta's name by being himself.
David Bonnici
Nov 13th 2012, 18:02
How come Mr. Dalli's grilling, when he became commissioner, was not televised.
T Mifsud
Nov 13th 2012, 18:48
It was live and shown even online
John Bundy
Nov 13th 2012, 18:00
All Malta should be proud today, all Malta should say thank you to Tonio Borg for putting our country in the best European political picture.
Grazzi tal hbieberija u b'mod specjali fuq dak li ghamilt illum.
Luke Scerri
Nov 13th 2012, 17:55
I am in Malta, Dr. Borg is in Brussels.... In confidence I STILL believe he has won over the majority of the MEPs and also, the shame and disgrace brought upon our island by Mr. John Dalli issue (whatever happened, true or false, one cannot deny the fact that Malta was frowned upon...) has been cleansed by the wit and the natural political feel of Dr. Tonio Borg.
E. Azzopardi
Nov 13th 2012, 17:55
I believe he has done very well. He was also very confident and calm. Well done.
This is a matter of national interest and we should ALL, repeat ALL, be behind Dr. Borg.
Good luck.
George Cutajar
Nov 13th 2012, 17:49
Tonio is putting on an impeccable display of diplomacy, knowledge and understanding of how the EU works. Replying extensively to all questions hurled at him he even goes so far as to show his mastery of the Italian language. Way to go Tonio.
Paul Xuereb
Nov 13th 2012, 17:49
Tonio. I have really admired your confidence in all your replies. Prosit indeed.
ALBERT FENECH
Nov 13th 2012, 17:31
Dr Tonio Borg is being extremely impressive. Congratulations and well done. Also well done to the whole Malta team of European MPs for showing national solidarity and forgetting our local political differences. Dr Borg has gone a long way to restore our European profile.
ALBERT FENECH
Ms Rudi Mcbeal
Nov 13th 2012, 17:18
A man of great integrity, competent and extremely intelligent. An impeccable performance!
You make this country proud, Dr Borg. Wish there were many more like you.
ian ciappara
Nov 13th 2012, 17:15
Tonio Borg is exemplarary - a truly international politician.
L Zammit
Nov 13th 2012, 17:13
Tonio Borg – degno figlio di Malta
josephine CACHIA
Nov 13th 2012, 17:03
Even though in Malta i am not a fan of Mr Tonio Borg.I am feeling so Proud to be Maltese.This man knows his job well.Well done.
Margaret Cox
Nov 13th 2012, 16:59
Tassew prosit Dr Borg!!! A really polished performance and one that makes us Maltese very proud.
Angelo Xerri
Nov 13th 2012, 16:57
Angelo Xerri
I am proud to be Maltese and European at this moment. Tonio Borg you are doing a great job, keep it up.
George Cutajar
Nov 13th 2012, 16:39
Tonio Borg is making us all proud. He is showing up his true European credentials.
Karl Consiglio
Nov 13th 2012, 16:38
What initiatives? Malta is never a first at anything.
Martin Borg
Nov 13th 2012, 17:05
Get a life Karl. If you honestly think that Tonio is not restoring malta's good name after recent events, and this by his measured , calm, convincing and non antagonistic answers to loaded questions from MEP's with evident hidden and not so hidden agendas then you must be living on another planet. Well done Tonio. Yes you make me proud to be Maltese. What Karl Consiglio thinks doesn't count.
Karl Consiglio
Nov 13th 2012, 17:18
Yes he's doing well, but that doesnt mean one can't pass a single negative comment when necessary. Tonio Borg understands that Martin, don't worry.
Mario Mifsud
Nov 13th 2012, 18:18
But you are karl , you are the first to say something silly here
Karl Consiglio
Nov 13th 2012, 18:35
Silly why? Its good to question, mela just xeba prosits jew?
Karl Consiglio
Nov 13th 2012, 18:42
Stop trying to shut me up and answer my question if anything!
josephine CACHIA
Nov 13th 2012, 16:36
Even though in Malta i am not a fan of Mr Tonio Borg.I am feeling so Proud to be Maltese.This man knows his job well.Well done.
Vincent Tabone
Nov 13th 2012, 16:35
Well done Tonio. So far you have been superb. Keep it up. You make Malta proud
Joseph Borg
Nov 13th 2012, 16:33
Tonio qied jaghti ezempju mill aqwa u jaghllem kif wiehed jew wahda ghandu/a jgib ruhu meta jersqu ghal xi interview. Veru kalm, seren u trankwill u bla biza ta xejn qied jaghti risposti koncissi u perfetti. Qied jitkellem b'certu kunfidenza. Prosit Tonio. L-importanti hu li l-prezentazzjoni tieghek hija mill aktar eccelenti u li qed taghmel gieh lill poplu malti. Ma jimportax dak li jigri wara.
Vincent Tabone
Nov 13th 2012, 16:28
Very well done Tonio. So far you are superb. Keep it up. You are making Malta proud
Melvyn Mifsud LLD
Nov 13th 2012, 16:26
A great show - moving smoothly and steadily.
I am sure that he has fared much better than many people ever thought - just up to a few days ago.
I have always believed that Malta cannot boast of having many resources. Except for one main resource. Human resources.
How true in the fine example of Tonio Borg.
Vincent Tabone
Nov 13th 2012, 16:20
Very well done Tonio. So far you are superb. Keep it up. You are making Malta proud
Angelo Vassallo
Nov 13th 2012, 16:11
Keep it up Tonio. Very good presentation.
Qieghed turi lill-Maltin kollha u lill-Ewropa kollha li ahna m'ahniex MAKKU.
PROSIT
J.C. Borg
Nov 13th 2012, 15:31
MAY GOD HELP YOY TONIO. YOU MAKE US PROUD.
Karl Consiglio
Nov 13th 2012, 15:53
Speak for yourself J.C!
J.C. Borg
Nov 13th 2012, 16:13
Did I mention your name Karl????
Karl Consiglio
Nov 13th 2012, 16:39
You said "us".
J.C. Borg
Nov 13th 2012, 17:16
Karl, I did not say ALL of us. I know English quite well.
Andy Farrugia
Nov 13th 2012, 17:28
@ Karl Consiglio
Need some bitters? Hahahaha!
paul borg
Nov 13th 2012, 15:12
go tonio. he;s talking in Maltese right now. good 4 u tonio
P Borg
Nov 13th 2012, 15:05
Go, Tonio, we are very proud of you and you will make us very proud!
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