Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/534048
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 28 JUNE 2015 News 13 TIM DIACONO MPS are being provoked into ut- tering "un-parliamentary words or phrases" by more witty members from the other side of the House, according to government whip Godfrey Farrugia. "Occasionally certain MPs may be provoked to utter un-parliamen- tary words or phrases by opposing members who are notable masters in wit and make these MPs victims of their hidden agenda," Farrugia told MaltaToday, warning that the use of un-parliamentary language was never excusable. Since the introduction of tel- evised parliamentary debates from the Renzo Piano-designed House of Representatives, more minis- ters and MPs seem willing to vent their rage, often to an undesirable result. "The PL parliamentary group has evaluated the present scenario and will continuously do so. Our intention is that parliamentary de- bates should be oriented towards a more positive aura, where a con- sensual approach is the hallmark," Farrugia said. But his hopeful wish seems belied by recent actions in the House. Two weeks ago, parliamentary secretary Ian Borg caused 'outrage' for telling shadow minister Jason Azzopardi that he "got no orgasm" from his repeated questions dur- ing PQ time. Perhaps more con- troversially, Speaker Anglu Far- rugia later removed Borg's remark from the transcripts and issued a stern warning that he would not hesitate to suspend unruly MPs. But he also said that tempera- tures in the House had been raised since Parliament moved to its new premises at City Gate, as sessions ere now being broadcast live on television. But Godfrey Farrugia said live broadcasting had come with its pros and cons. "It's offering a better flow of me- dia communication from one of the very estates of democracy and has made Parliament more news- worthy. The coverage is more likely to lead to an improvement in the quality of speeches deliv- ered at the House during a debate, as MPs will be more aware that they are on air. "Unfortunately, this benefit may be misused by stage-managed airtime, as an MP may purposely side-track from the topic of dis- cussion by not addressing issues of national importance or of com- mon good, or else ignore the fact that a national audience is being addressed and instead focus on constituency matters." Despite no longer a rectangular chamber as the one used in the British House of Commons, the new hemi-cycle has lost none of its predecessor's adversarial at- mosphere. Both sides are seated much closer to each other than they were in the President's Pal- ace. Farrugia says MPs now can eas- ily hear one-to-one conversations across the floor. "This may trigger undesired and unofficial cross- floor remarks or even disrupt the Speaker's attention, leading to moments of a rowdy atmosphere where our Latin temperament is very apparent." On the other hand, Opposition whip David Agius says that the true reason behind such high tem- peratures boils down to the gov- ernment's insistence not to reply to questions. "Every time someone from the Opposition asks a question, some- thing which is considered to be the right and duty of a member of the opposition, government members start shouting and calling names at Opposition MPs. "This attitude is deplorable, and the government must immedi- ately ensure that to be in line with its promise of transparency, ques- tions are replied to without any hesitation." 'Masters of wit' too much for MPs drawn into un-parliamentary fracas - Whip Have televised parliamentary sessions led to boiling point inside the House of Representatives? CAR LOAN With a Car Loan from Banif Bank, getting behind the wheel has never been easier. And I can sit back and enjoy the ride while Banif secures my current lifestyle. 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Banif Bank (Malta) plc is a credit institution licensed to undertake the business of banking by the MFSA in terms of the Banking Act 1994. 1. Anti-climax at PQ time Parliamentary secretary Ian Borg is fed up of answering follow-up PQs by Nationalist MP Jason Azzopardi on a boarded- out police officer, so he finally cuts him short by saying he is "getting no orgasm" from his questions. Cue protestations from, somewhat justified, unsatisfied MPs. 2. Unlimited shame from Mizzi Opposition leader Simon Busuttil gets energy minister Konrad Mizzi's dander up, so Mizzi starts raging at Busuttil, telling him he's "not fit for purpose" and repeatedly calling out "shame on you, shame on you, shame on you." Busuttil retorts that it was Mizzi's shame that his wife was given a plum €13,000-a-month job as trade envoy. 3. Bolshoi ballet MPs As Opposition MPs questioned Gozo Minister Anton Refalo over allegations that his ministry was carrying out private works for constituents, accusations start flying between Simon Busuttil and education minister Evarist Bartolo. "You don't scare me," Busuttil tells Bartolo, who replies: "I'm simply reminding you of your hypocrisy". Cue the Prime Minister, who says the Opposition had become "like ballerinas, jumping as soon as you tell them something". Speaker suspends sitting in ensuing shouting match. 4. Sai it as it is Konrad Mizzi is not in the House to reply to PQs on his ministerial visits to Azerbaijan. Not even Godfrey Farrugia knows of his whereabouts, so Busuttil asks that the sitting is suspended until Mizzi returns. Beppe Fenech Adami quips: "we've already lost Mizzi's wife, and now we've lost the minister himself". 5. Don't say what you want Busuttil slide-tackles Muscat when the prime minister delivers a ministerial statement on two EU summits, with a replica on the Old Mint Street expropriation scandal. Muscat accuses him of "ridiculing" Parliament for bringing up a national issue unrelated to his statement. Burning down the House