PM ‘appalled’ by Opposition leader’s intervention in parliament

The war of words that started between the Prime Minister and the Opposition leader during parliamentary question time continued afterwards, right after Joseph Muscat delivered a ministerial statement on two EU summits.

It has become parliamentary practice for a prime minister to brief parliament on his visits abroad, especially when the meetings are related to the work of the European Union. This evening, Muscat delivered a ministerial statement on the Eastern Partnership Summit and the EU-CELAC summit, which brought Latin American and Caribbean leaders together in Brussels.

However, Busuttil latched on to a comment by Muscat – for the EU to strengthen its cooperation with Latin countries – to fire a number of questions related to the controversial Old Mint Street expropriation deal.

The Opposition leader said that Malta already had “a sort of relationship with Argentina”, because parliamentary secretary for lands Michael Falzon had already travelled to Argentina – a comment that saw Muscat looking at Busuttil with a questioning look.

“When did Michael Falzon go to Argentina? Why? With whom?” Busuttil said, suggesting that Falzon had gone to Argentina with property owner Marco Gaffarena.

The Opposition leader said he wanted to know what was happening “right under the Prime Minister’s nose”. He said, that Muscat should also confirm whether Gaffarena and Falzon had met “before the deal was secured”.

In an exclusive interview with MaltaToday, the junior minister said that Gaffarena had visited Falzon at his offices; Falzon said he told Gaffarena that any land issues should be discussed with the Government Property Division. Falzon also admitted to having gone hunting with Gaffarena “in the past”.

While Falzon steered clear from giving a definite yes or no answer, it transpired that Gaffarena did have a say in the choice of lands which were granted to him by the Government Property Division. Falzon also confirmed that Gaffarena had presented the GPD with an offer over the expropriation of the Valletta building.

Busuttil said Muscat should answer all the questions that were being raised: “The buck stops with you. You are the minister responsible for lands and you have a responsibility to shoulder.”
He also said that Muscat should say how many times had a member of Falzon’s secretariat accompanied Gaffarena to the GPD.

“Unfortunately, I don’t have time to question you over your visits to Azerbaijan,” Busuttil added, before ending his intervention.

No other questions by the Opposition were raised.

Standing up to reply, Muscat accused Busuttil of “blatant disrespect towards parliamentary accountability”.

“While I find no problem in answering your question – although you did ignore my questions – I look forward to the conclusions of the ongoing investigations,” Muscat said, referring to an investigation by the National Audit Office and the IAID.

“Yet, I thank God for this investigation because we are uncovering old files that have very interesting stories to tell. Because the sun didn’t go up on March 2013, I want accountability everywhere and every time.”

Muscat said that while Falzon had reassured that there had been no political interference in the Gaffarena case, anyone found in the wrong will face consequences.

“We can discuss all this as much as you want. But honestly, we’re here to discuss other issues and yet he [Busuttil] wasn’t able to come up with even one policy question. The Opposition leader shows that he simply doesn’t get it.”

Accusing Busuttil of having ridiculed parliament, Muscat said: “What sort of message are we sending to the diplomatic world why you didn’t even ask a question despite the dire situation between Ukraine and Russia and the hundreds of people who are displaced as a result of conflicts.”

Earlier, Muscat said that Malta was in favour of a European Neighbourhood Policy, although the needs and capabilities of every individual country had to be addressed. Malta was one of the first countries to ratify the agreement which allows Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine access to Europe’s free trade market.

The Riga Summit reaffirmed the support to all efforts aimed at de-escalation and a political solution based on respect for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.