The debate on the no confidence motion in the government, moved by the Opposition is now in its third day.

A vote on the motion is being taken tomorrow at noon. A request by The Times to photograph part of the proceedings was refused. See http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120125/local/parliament-live.403841

Tonight's proceedings as they develop are being reported here. The debate is also being reported live in a separate at: http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120125/local/debate.403850

10.11 p.m. - Mr Vassallo concludes his speech. The House is adjourned to tomorrow morning.

10.03 p.m. - The Speaker says it is time for the House to adjourn. Mr Vassallo says he will start concluding his speech. Opposition leader Joseph Muscat says he is willing to listen to his colleague for as long as he wants.

9.47 p.m. - Mr Micallef concludes speech. Edwin Vassallo takes the floor and thanks Dr Debono for his speech and for taking to the House what he felt was unjust.

9.36 p.m. - Mr Gouder concludes his speech. Peter Micallef starts his and says the people had expressed their confidence in the government in the election and their five-year mandate to the government should be respected.

9.27 p.m. - timesofmalta.com requests comment on camera from Dr Debono but he says he is too tired to give one.

9.25 p.m. - Dr Debono walks with Mario Galea and is now in St George's Square with PN whip David Agius.

9.22 p.m. - Edwin Vassallo and David Agius immediately go to speak to Dr Debono. Karl Gouder now has the floor. He says now take stock of the situation and consider the repercussions.

9.21 p.m. - Says PM has the right to appoint whoever he wants to cabinet but he also has the right not to agree with policies. Dr Debono ends his speech. Mass exodus.

9.20 p.m. - Reiterates that most important thing is keeping ministers accountable and not shutting up backbenchers.

9.19 p.m. - Quotes statements he had given The Times before the reshuffle.

9.18 p.m. - Says international economic crisis cannot be used as an excuse for lack of reforms.

9.17 p.m. - Says PM should have resigned on divorce issue. Says result may have been a message from God to keep him out of certain issues.

9.15 p.m. - Speaker points out that Dr Debono's debate time is up. Dr Debono asks for a 10-minute extension. PN whip David Agius agrees, points out that there are another three speakers tonight. PL whip Joe Mizzi also agrees to extension.

9.14 p.m. - Criticises Prime Minister's parliamentary vote on the Divorce Law. Says one cannot assume that a vote is going to pass as this goes against the spirit of democracy.

9.13 p.m. - Says PM should not create system of a parallel universe with ministers and a couple of other people in one and the backbenchers and rest of the people in the other.

9.11 p.m. - Again refers to right of having assistance of a lawyer during interrogation and asks what was solved under 'the reign' of De Gaetano.

9.09 p.m. - Says reform was not about buying machines as was happening in primary health. Reform in primary case should have been the emergency department and waiting lists.

9.08 p.m. - Says biggest successful reform in this legislature was that on rental laws.

9.06 p.m. - Says parties are there to form policies and not to break people. Decisions such as that of the honoraria taken behind the back of the parliamentary group breaks team spirit. Says one cannot expect others to be team players but not be one himself.

9.05 p.m. - Says MEP election result made him realise the problems the country is facing.

9.04 p.m. - Criticised PN for the way it tackled Schiavone issues and accuses Schiavone of being obsessed with power. Opposition leader laughs heartily. Says he is not as old as Mr Debono Grech. Everyone is laughing, even Dr Gonzi smiles.

9.03 p.m. - Speaker points out that it is 9 p.m. but both sides agree debate should continue.

9 p.m. - Says democracy is not party loyalty manual. Mentions Herman Schiavone by name saying he invented an allegation about him which he heard of seven years later. Says allegation was false and without basis.

8.59 p.m. - Says MP's primary loyalty is to his electorate and ministers should not use pretext of party loyalty to walk over the backbench. MPs should not be toys or passive spectators even under normal circumstances.

8.58 p.m. - Says bad political system making a victim out of the people, including himself and cannot continue.

8.56 p.m. - Says there is lack of accountability and culture of resignations does not exist. Refers to his thesis and says that when he says that when he said that MPs should be reluctant to embarass the government, he was referring to the British system.

8.54 p.m. - Says water and electricity rates in Malta are among the highest in Europe and the main reason is that the country is opting for a power station which works on heavy fuel oil.

8.52 p.m. - Dr Debono calls for reform in libel laws.

8.51 p.m. - Honoraria increase breached principle of Parliament's autonomy. Both whips are having a conversation with the Speaker. Clyde Puli walks in.

8.50 p.m. - Calls for reform in electoral law.

8.48 p.m. - Says many agree with his calls for reform and this proves there are shortcomings.

8.47 p.m. - Says PM has discretion on who to appoint in cabinet but he has the right not to agree with policy.

8.44 p.m. - Says that although party loyalty is important, it is not the beginning and the end. PM has to administer the country and manage his group as a father manages a family. This is easier in Malta as the group is relatively small. A PM should give the people who merit their dues and remove those who do not deliver.

8.43 p.m. - He speaks of need for electoral reform but says more importantly, ministers have to be kept accountable.

8.41 p.m. - Says his electors want him to be treated well. The Opposition is all smiles. Someone beats on the bench slightly but stops before it was really audible. Although PM is not looking at Dr Debono, Minister Cristina looks at him intently.

8.40 p.m. - Says that as an elected MP he cannot stop at writing articles.

8.39 p.m. - Says people gave him right to speak and the government has the duty to act.

8.37 p.m. - Speaks of inacceptable system in prisons. He refers to Josette Bickle without mentioning her name, who, he says was condemned because of the system.

8.34 p.m. - Says ordinary justice system was dismantled for a parallel one of tribunals headed by lawyers, a great danger and inacceptable in a small country like Malta.

8.32 p.m. - Speaks of need for great reforms in the administration of justice.

8.30 p.m. - Speaks on importance of having separate ministries for justice and home affairs and says this happened due to his insistence.

8.29 p.m. - Says he originally defended Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici but then he made comments on right to a lawyer which he did not like. He had to pressure for antiquated cassette tapes system to be changed and certain halls still use this system.

8.26 p.m. - Dr Debono says that at the beginning of the debate, PL whip requested permission of House for sitting to be filmed for five minutes. Nothing wrong in this but it is absurd that in this time and age Parliament did not have the means through which people can follow proceedings. Says that in the digital era, Parliament is working with radio and Court with cassette tapes.

8.24 p.m. - Parliamentary Secretary Galea takes Dr Debono's phone and places it underneath his bench.

8.23 p.m. - Phone rings again.

8.22 p.m. - People in the Strangers Gallery laugh as Dr Debono's mobile phone rings. Stephen Spiteri, PN, walks in.

8.20 p.m. - Most of the government's front bench are not in Chamber. The only cabinet members in the House are Dr Gonzi and Ministers Cristina and Azzopardi.

8.19 p.m. - Perfect silence in House as Dr Debono is delivering his speech.

8.17 p.m. - Dr Debono says employment is important but man does not live on bread alone. People also need rights and dignity.

8.16 p.m. - Opposition leader is smiling and listening carefully.

8.15 p.m. - Dr Azzopardi concludes and Dr Debono takes over. Says he loves his party and he will be making his speech with a heavy heart. He says he is one of the most loyal MPs to the Prime Minister but he is not given the credit he is due.

8.14 p.m. - Both the Chamber and the Strangers Gallery are practically foll as anticipation for Dr Debono's speech increases. Dr Debono looks impatient to start. He gets up.

8.09 p.m. - Karl Gouder and Edwin Vassallo have to speak before Dr Debono according to the agenda. Dr Debono was due to start his speech at 8 p.m.

8.08 p.m. - Dr Herrera walks in proudly with a packet of Twistees which he shares with his colleages. The atmosphere seems to be relaxed and friendly on both sides.

8.06 p.m. - The Chamber is filling up steadily. Charles Mangion, PL, is now also in Chamber.

8.02 p.m. - Many MPs, including Dr Debono and Mr Galea, are following this live blog on tablets and joking about some of the comments.

8 p.m. - Jose Herrera, PL, is in the Chamber.

7.59 p.m. - Joe Debono Grech, PL, walks in. Joe Falzon, PN, is also in the Chamber.

7.56 p.m. - Mr Galea concludes his speech and Parliamentary Secretary Jason Azzopardi takes the floor. He says the motion reflects the Opposition leader's thirst for power. Before Dr Azzopardi stands to start his speech, Dr Debono gets up to speak but Parliamentary Secretary Galea holds his shoulder and makes him sit again. Chris Cardona tells Mr Galea to leave Dr Debono alone. Dr Debono sits without protest.

7.55 p.m. - Dr Debono is gearing up for his speech. He stretches his neck and shakes his legs. Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando approaches him.

7.54 p.m. - Michael Falzon, PL, is in the Chamber.

7.51 p.m. - Prime Minister looks anxious as he listens intently.

7.46 p.m. -  While Mr Galea's speech sparks protest from Labour MP Helena Dalli, it elects smiles from Dr Debono, the Prime Minister and the other MPs on the PN benches.

7.44 p.m. - Mr Galea condemns hatred on blogs and misinformation on broadcasting media belonging to political parties as he closes his speech. Mario Galea takes the floor. Says he told Dr Debono yesterday he did not agree with his method but he was making people pray - for an election or for one not to be held. He then told him to forget his comment so he does not insist on becoming a saint and calls for the Pope's resignation. With glass of water in hand, Dr Debono laughs as Mr Galea recounts the joke.

7.40 p.m. - Dr Debono walks behind Strangers Gallery. He passes Manuel Delia but makes no eye contact.

7.39 p.m. - Charlo Bonnici, PN, is in the Chamber.

7.37 p.m. - Mr Arrigo approaches Dr Debono as soon as he enters the Chamber. Yesterday, Mr Arrigo vowed loyalty but spoke of hurt at being left on backbench.

7.36 p.m. - Robert Arrigo, PN, and Carmelo Abela, PL, are in the Chamber.

7.33 p.m. - There are currently 30 of the 69 MPs in the Chamber.

7.28 p.m. - Edwin Vassallo speaks to Dr Debono. Louis Deguara, PN, is also in Chamber. Ms Cristina concludes her speech. Censu Galea takes over. He describes the motion as dry and unsubstantiated.

7.25 p.m. - Frederick Azzopardi is having a friendly conversation with Dr Debono.

7.24 p.m. - Chris Agius, Stefan Buontempo and Leo Brincat, PL, are in the Chamber.

7.23 p.m. - Dr Debono was due to start speaking at 8 p.m. but Censu Galea, Jason Azzopardi, Mario Galea, Karl Gouder and Edwin Vassallo are meant to speak before him. This may lead to an extension of the debate time.

7.21 p.m. - Dr Debono receives a call on his infamous mobile phone.

7.20 p.m. - David Agius jokes with Dr Debono and approaches him for a chat. Mario Galea takes his seat near Dr Debono.

7.19 p.m. - Dr Debono is writing notes. He looks concentrated. He is sitting behind Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando and next to Mario Galea, who is elsewhere at the moment. Owen Bonnici, PL, is also in Chamber.

7.16 p.m. - Franco Debono walks in. Rather than a book, today he is holding notes. He has not yet been approached by any of the MPs. He sits on the same seat as yesterday, the fourth from the door.

7.14 p.m. - Peter Micallef, PN, is in the Chamber.

7.12 p.m. - Mr Pullicino ends his speech and Minister Dolores Cristina takes over. She also criticises the Opposition for moving the motion of no confidence in the government for no valid reason.

7.10 p.m. - Like the other speakers yesterday and on Monday, Mr Pullicino makes no mention of Dr Debono, whose declarations against the government provoked the motion. There is still no sign of Dr Debono in the Chamber. Beppe Fenech Adami is now in Chamber.

7 p.m. - Opposition leader looks bored. He is yawning. Roderick Galdes, PL, is in the Chamber.

6.58 p.m. - The people in the Strangers Gallery include Manuel Delia, who was responsible for the public transport reform as the head of Transport Minister Austin Gatt secretariat. Dr Debono abstained on a Labour motion calling for Dr Gatt's resignation.

6.57 p.m. - Franco Debono is still not in Chamber. He is expected to speak at around 8 p.m. Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando and Frans Agius, PN, and Marlene Farrugia, PL, are in Chamber.

6.55 p.m. - Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino starts his speech. He says there is no declared motivation behind the motion and criticises the Opposition leader's speech last Sunday. Edwin Vassallo, PN, is in the Chamber.

6.54 p.m. - No confidence motion debate about to start.

6.53 p.m. - MPs presence in Chamber looks much better than yesterday's. The Strangers Gallery is also much fuller. Minute silence being observed to remember Holocaust victims.

6.52 p.m. - George Vella and Chris Cardona, PL, are also in Chamber.

6.51 p.m. - Dr Farrugia concluded speech. Speaker Michael Frendo now speaking on Holocaust.

6.50 p.m. - Jean Pierre Farrugia, PN, is in the Chamber. Dr Farrugia is saying there is hatred in blogs and relating this to the Holocaust. Evarist Bartolo, PL, enters Chamber.

6.46 p.m. - Karmenu Vella, PL, enters Chamber. PL deputy leader Anglu Farrugia starts speaking about Holocaust.

6.44 p.m. - Dr Mifsud Bonnici still has the floor. Commemoration speeches were meant to take three minutes.

6.42 p.m. - Strangers Gallery is filling up.

6.38 p.m. - Silvio Parnis, PL, is in Chamber.

6.35 p.m. - Victims of Holocaust being commemorated. Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici speaking on Holocaust.

6.34 p.m. - Parliament is to commemorate Holocaust just before the debate starts.

6.33 p.m. - Mario Galea, PN, and Anthony Agius Decelis, PL, are in Chamber.

6.31 p.m. - Gino Cauchi and Alfred Sant, PL, are in Chamber. Debate to start shortly.

6.29 p.m. - Around 35 people in Strangers Gallery.

6.28 p.m. - Tonio Borg is in Chamber.

6.25 p.m. - Ninu Zammit and Mario de Marco are in Chamber. Around 25 people are in the Strangers Gallery - more than there have been in the past two days.

6.21 p.m. - Prime Minister looks relaxed. He shares a joke with Minister George Pullicino. Franco Debono, who is expected to speak at around 8 p.m. is not yet in the Chamber.

6.18 p.m. - Anthony Zammit, PL, is also in the Chamber. Prime Minister enters.

6.13 p.m. - Karl Gouder, PN, and Helena Dalli, PL, are also present.

6.09 p.m. - MPs in the Chamber so far: PL - Justyne Caruana, Joseph Muscat, Joe Mizzi, Anglu Farrugia, Noel Farrugia. PN - Tonio Fenech, Jason Azzopardi, Carm Mifsud Bonnici, George Pullicino, Frederick Azzopardi, Dolores Cristina, Joseph Cassar, Censu Galea, David Agius.