With the spotlight on MP absenteeism and performance, Christian Peregin analyses the parliamentarians who are asking the government questions.

The vast majority of MPs have asked fewer than 500 parliamentary questions each over the past three years, but 14 MPs have posed more than 1,000.

The figures follow up an exercise carried out by The Times about MP absenteeism. Nationalist MP Stephen Spiteri – who missed 81 per cent of parliamentary sessions – had claimed other MPs were just clocking in and leaving.

In an attempt to provide broader analysis, The Sunday Times sought to find out which MPs do their homework and use their parliamentary time most productively, by taking one performance measurement: the number of parliamentary questions asked since the legislature convened in March 2008.

MPs are expected to ask questions on behalf of their constituents, as part of their duties. The questions are put to ministers and parliamentary secretaries, who have three working days to answer, unless the information requires compilation.

Former minister Ċensu Galea – today a Nationalist backbencher – emerges from the exercise with flying colours. Not only has he not skipped a parliamentary session this year, he has also asked 2,265 PQs since March 2008. This is almost as many questions asked by all other PN backbenchers together (2,495) and more than any Labour MP.

Labour’s most prolific MP for parliamentary questions is Anthony Agius Decelis, who asked 2,150.

In all, 12 Nationalist MPs and seven Labourites asked less than 100 PQs during this legislature. And while 16 Labour MPs asked more than 500 PQs, PN backbenchers have a much worse record.

Jean-Pierre Farrugia trails behind Mr Galea with 807 PQs with party whip David Agius placing third among Nationalist MPs with 395.

Although many of the MPs asking the most questions also have healthy attendance records, there are a number who attend Parliament frequently and opt not to ask any questions.

The ‘younger’ generation of government backbenchers are most guilty of this. This is particularly the case with Nationalist MPs Joe Falzon, Karl Gouder and Beppe Fenech Adami who have never asked a parliamentary question despite having excellent attendance records.

Labour MPs Joe Debono Grech and Anthony Zammit are in similar territory – they have a good attendance record but asked the lowest number of PQs.

Meanwhile, the MPs with the lowest attendance records tend to also have low rates of asking PQs.

Dr Spiteri, the PN’s most absent member, only asked one PQ since March 2008, focusing on divorces obtained abroad.

The PN’s Peter Micallef,who missed 70 per cent of sittings, also asked just one, while Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando and Michael Gonzi (who have both had poor attendance records since January), asked just 19 and 12 PQs respectively.

The MP with the worst attendance record, Labour’s Adrian Vassallo, who missed 90 per cent of sessions this year, asked 208 PQs.

On average, Labour MPs asked 780 questions each, while Nationalist backbenchers posed 226. The average is 439 questions per MP.

Ministers and parliamentary secretaries cannot field any PQs, while parliamentary assistants are allowed to ask questions but not about the ministry with which they are attached.

The information was gathered from www.pq.gov.mt.

Malta’s best MP?

Nationalist MP Ċensu Galea has been in Parliament for a quarter of a century, and statistically he is the best MP in the House – with a perfect record of attendance and the most prolific with PQs.

“I believe it is fundamental for MPs to be as present as possible, ask questions and contribute during debates,” he said when contacted.

He explained that most of his PQs deal with everyday problems faced by his constituents, but he also uses question time to arm himself with information about issues he is passionate about.

He is particularly keen on his hometown St Paul’s Bay, in which he has seen changes in the past few years, due, in part, to cheaper housing.

Although opposition MPs usually use PQs to embarrass or attack the government, he feels questions are an important tool which should be used by both sides.

“PQs can serve as thebasis on which to developgovernment policy,” he says, adding that they also help raise awareness about certain issues.

Asked why he thought some Nationalist MPs appeared reluctant to ask questions, he said some could fear they would embarrass the government.

“But you just have to be intelligent enough to put the question in the right way. Otherwise, I don’t think there should be a difference between an opposition and a government MP.”