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[LIVE] Konrad Mizzi delivers public apology: 'I apologise to everyone'
A motion presented by independent MP Marlene Farrugia is being discussed this afternoon in parliament • Konrad Mizzi delivers public apology
4 May 2016, 4:33pm
Miriam Dalli
Miriam Dalli
Farrugia insists that an improving economy shouldn’t be used to justify Panama Papers.
She insists that the environmental improvements registered were thanks to investments by the previous administration, reiterating that the country didn’t need a new power plant because of the interconnector.
On his part, Bonnici – to shouts from the opposition benches – also questioned whether the PN would act against all citizens who have opened legitimate offshore companies and accounts.
“Simon Busuttil was disgusting … making a veiled treat that he’s going to try and undermine Leo Brincat’s nomination to the European Court of Auditors.”
Muscat adds that the government had no doubts that the PN would try and hinder Brincat’s nomination as well and went on to reveal that former prime minister Lawrence Gonzi had sought his reassurance that the then Labour opposition would support Tonio Borg’s nomination.
Busuttil also calls the engagement of Sai Mizzi as the Malta Enterprise special envoy as “another form of corruption” because “we have nothing to justify why she cost us half a million in three years”.
He accused Mizzi of lying when he failed to mention the Panama company when he revealed his New Zealand trust.
“But how can you do nothing in front of all these lies? How can you ignore all this? Do you really want to take people for a ride? Just look at Mizzi’s declaration of assets … the question that arises is, why would he need a trust fund and an offshore account?”
Busuttil insists that Mizzi does not deserve to be an MP or Minister: “If this House doesn’t take the action that needs to be taken, we are simply in the ridiculous situation of telling people that people can get away with anything. What Schembri and Mizzi did is unacceptable. It is wrong.”
He also criticised Konrad Mizzi for not being present inside the Chamber for the duration of the debate.
Turning to Muscat he says: “Useless saying you’re shouldering political responsibility because you’re not doing anything.”
Bartolo says society – the judiciary, civil society, the media – have a responsibility to shoulder in encouraging a culture of public morality.
Bartolo says he was disappointed by the Church that, at a time when the Pope was speaking more about social issues and how people actin the public life, the Maltese Church was however absent. “The Church has an important role to play,” he says.
“The issue is not whether Mizzi is the most capable person in government … although we know that his capability is not as super as the government MPs make it out to be.”
Taking umbrage at comments by Claudette Buttigieg claiming that patients had been moved “from corridors to stores”, Fearne said patients were not in corridors because new halls had been built, the number of beds increased whilst further work on public-private partnerships was carried out.
“We should debate such aspects in parliament but it is unacceptable to go in international fora to tarnish the country’s reputation. We should be working together.”
“I forgive the person who made me blind in one eye. I forgive Konrad, who has apologized to this House.”
“As if people never paid for private healthcare before,” Family Minister Michael Farrugia chips in from the opposite benches.
On the other hand, Health Minister Chris Fearne says that Buttigieg should substantiate her allegations.
“I pledge my loyalty to the Prime Minister and parliamentary group. I will do my best for unity within our parliamentary group and to ensure that we deliver the projects we promised. We will face the public with achievements and, in two years’ time, a new electoral manifesto breaking new boundaries.”
On health, Mizzi says the government has eliminated the list of out-of-stock medicine whilst work is going ahead on reducing waiting lists.
“There was no bad intention behind my decision,” he says, of the New Zealand trust and Panama company. “I did it in the best interest of my family. I recognize that this has cast a shadow on myself and the work of this government.
“That is why I accepted the Prime Minister’s decision. There is nothing illicit in what I did but I know I have political responsibility. I shoulder it, I feel it and I believe it. I carry this political responsibility with the Prime Minister’s decision. I resigned the deputy leadership out of my own will.”
“There was no bad intention behind my decision,” he says, of the New Zealand trust and Panama company. “I did it in the best interest of my family. I recognize that this has cast a shadow on myself and the work of this government.
“That is why I accepted the Prime Minister’s decision. There is nothing illicit in what I did but I know I have political responsibility. I shoulder it, I feel it and I believe it. I carry this political responsibility with the Prime Minister’s decision. I resigned the deputy leadership out of my own will.”
“Konrad Mizzi owes the public an apology … someone once said it’s time to wake up and smell the coffee,” in a dig at Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. “It’s time for Mizzi to wake up.”
“I’ve already outlined nine of what are either lies or result of your incompetence.”
She also says that the Minister should state whether there had been occasions where the government purchased electricity at 5c per unit through the interconnector.
Portelli is cautioned by the Speaker to address the Chair and not the minister.
She continues to hit out at “lies and incompetence” and tears into the new power station and energy supply agreement. She says, that the public are forking out the guarantee of the power station.
Farrugia will be opening the five-hour debate, at the end of which a vote will be taken.