Junior minister’s ‘orgasm’ reply in PQ time causes outrage in the House

The Speaker of the House of Representatives once again had to suspend the parliamentary sitting as MPs railed against each other from both sides of the House over PQ time.

Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela informed parliament yesterday that a police officer had been medically 'boarded' out in less than five days from his job. The information was given in reply to a parliamentary question raised by shadow justice minister Jason Azzopardi. The reply was read out by parliamentary secretary Ian Borg, replacing the minister who is currently abroad on ministerial work.

But a supplementary question raised by Azzopardi saw Borg retorting that he “was getting no orgasm from his questions” – a comment that generated opposition from the PN MPs.

‘Controversial’ reply to supplementary PQ causes outrage in the House

Intervening, PN deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami turned to Speaker Anglu Farrugia complaining of the “disgusting language” used by Borg.

Borg, in reply to several supplementary questions, reiterated that he had no information to the questions being raised and directed the MPs to make a written reply in order for the minister to provide the requested information.

Borg said that the language he used meant that he “wasn’t going to entertain speculative questions”.

The PN alleged that an inspector was boarded out within five days in order to be given a new job with a salary of €50,000 a year.

Within 20 minutes, the session degenerated into a shouting match between the two sides leaving the Speaker – once again – no other option but to suspend parliament. This is not the first time that Anglu Farrugia was forced to act in this manner.

“Not even kindergarten kids act in this manner… stop wasting the time of parliament,” Farrugia said, who upon his return chastised the MPs for their insulting manner.

At one point, Foreign Affairs Minister George Vella and Opposition leader Simon Busuttil engaged in a shouting match of their own: while Vella commented that Busuttil was now going to meet the “Great Leader” – referring to Busuttil’s upcoming trip to China – Busuttil said he “hoped” that Vella would set him a meeting with consul general Sai Mizzi Liang, the wife of energy minister Konrad Mizzi who was controversially appointed traded and diplomatic envoy upon Labour's election.

Despite the Speaker walking out of the Chamber, the bickering continued with Transport Minister Joe Mizzi heard telling PN MP Chris Said “to go hide himself like Giovanna Debono” - the former Gozo minister who has since resigned the PN parliamentary group.

The MPs’ attitude also shamed Labour backbencher Marlene Farrugia, who said that “the disgusting custom of unanswered questions should end once and for all”.