For the second time in a fortnight, Speaker Anġlu Farrugia had to suspend the House during a shouting match between the two sides over repeated Opposition questions about the accelerated boarding-out of a police inspector.
Opposition MPs said the procedure had taken five days whereas it normally took months.
Jason Azzopardi (PN) asked if this was a new record born of super efficiency or favouritism.
PN deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami drew the Speaker’s attention to what he called “indecent parliamentary language” used by Parliamentary Secretary Ian Borg, who was deputising for Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela, who is currently away on government business.
Dr Fenech Adami asked who the police inspector was and what had been the circumstances surrounding the board’s speedy decision. If it had been the inspector’s health, did Dr Borg know he had already been offered a new job with a salary of over €50,000?
As many times as Opposition MPs asked questions about the case, Dr Borg retorted that these questions had not been reflected in the original question and they would have to wait for Minister Abela’s return in a few days’ time. In the meantime they should submit written questions. He had nothing to add.
After admonishing Fenech Adami and Busuttil, the Speaker suspended the sitting for a few minutes as temperatures and voices soared
On a point of order, Francis Zammit Dimech said that since this was a case of boarding out, it was Social Affairs Minister Michael Farrugia who should reply. If he did not, it would be taken to mean that the government did not want to answer.
Transport Minister Joe Mizzi said the Opposition was out to waste the House’s time. Minister Farrugia was not obliged to answer, even if the Opposition kept misquoting the Standing Orders in an attempt to mislead.
Dr Fenech Adami said that last week, pertinent questions to Dr Abela had been answered by the Prime Minister. The Opposition was now asking Dr Farrugia to emulate his “great leader” and come to the defence of Dr Borg.
The Speaker said he had no authority to order Dr Farrugia to answer. After admonishing Dr Fenech Adami and Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil to stop making comments while he was speaking, he suspended the sitting for a few minutes as temperatures and voices soared.
When the sitting resumed he said it was an insult to interrupt the Speaker. Opposition Whip David Agius said the Speaker knew exactly what to do when any MP disobeyed, rather than place all MPs on the same scale.
The Speaker said he did not think that the House should go back to 30-year-old practices.
Marlene Farrugia (PL) said that during the previous legislature she used to be disgusted when questions were not answered. She expected the present legislature to move away from this practice.
When Dr Fenech Adami insisted on asking his question over and over again – which the Speaker said he could not do – Dr Borg said he would have expected a better level of education from the son of a former Prime Minister and President of Malta.
In a thinly veiled reference to fellow MP Marlene Farrugia, Dr Borg said the original question had been answered, not refused. It smacked of disrespect to insinuate that Dr Abela was not doing his job well.
PN deputy leader Mario de Marco said nobody had sought to belittle Mr Abela’s work.