The House Business Committee has concluded that Independent MP Marlene Farrugia's motion of no confidence in no-portfolio Minister Konrad Mizzi will take place on 4 May, between 4:30 and 9:30pm. No Parliamentary questions or adjournment speeches will be taking place, with the vote set for after the debate on Wednesday.
While debating the date, Government Whip Godfrey Farrugia suggested for the motion to be debated on 4 May, with no Parliamentary questions to take place, and a vote set at the end of the session.
Independent MP Marlene Farrugia disagreed with a normal three and a half hour session, adding that this would not be enough time for all MPs to say their part.
The motion of no confidence has been filed against Dr Mizzi. He admitted, together with the Prime Minister’s chief of staff Keith Schembri, to have opened a company in Panama held by a trust in New Zealand.
Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis interjected by saying that many of the arguments raised in the previous motion of no confidence in Dr Muscat’s government pertain to the upcoming argument, which would mean that a normal three and a half hour session should be sufficient. He also suggested that Dr Farrugia should be listed with the Opposition, meaning that she would be allotted time together with the Opposition.
Deputy Leader of the Opposition Mario de Marco disagreed categorically with Dr Zammit Lewis, suggesting a six-hour session, between 3pm and 9pm.
Dr Zammit Lewis referred to a previous motion of no confidence, stating that the precedent set provides for a five-hour session. Speaker of the House Angelo Farrugia said that actually, on average, such debates tend to last 2.8 hours.
Government Whip Dr Farrugia suggested a six-hour session, beginning at 5pm and ending at 11pm. Dr Zammit Lewis suggested that the Government Whip made a mistake, and said that the circumstances do not necessitate the session finishing so late.
Marlene Farrugia agreed that the session should finish at 9pm, and quipped that Government MPs could easily just repeat the government measures they spoke about during the last motion of no confidence.
Speaker Farrugia suggested the session beginning at 4pm and ending at 9pm, however a disagreement ensued over the amount of time being allotted to independent/opposition MPs as well as whether government MPs travelling on the day would have enough time to make the Parliamentary session.
The point was raised that a session starting at 5pm and ending at 10pm would make it difficult for those at home who would like to watch the debate. Parliamentary Secretary for Planning Deborah Schembri quickly interjected by saying that Parliamentary sessions are not conducted for “television,” adding that whoever wants to watch can, and those unable to would could watch the repeat.
Dr de Marco, attempting to settle the debate, reaffirmed the Speaker’s suggestion, stating that MPs travelling on the day would have enough time to make the session.
At the end, it was decided that the debate is held on Wednesday between 4.30pm and 9.30pm.
A total of 11.5 million documents were leaked from Mossack Fonseca, a Panama based law firm which assists politicians, criminals and celebrities to set up financial structures which conceal a client’s true wealth from the relevant authorities. Dr Mizzi’s involvement thrust Malta into the international spotlight – which elevated pressure on Dr Muscat to take action.
A motion of no confidence against Dr Muscat’s government was filed by the Nationalist Party some weeks ago, however the PL comfortably won this with 38 against and 31 in favour.
Last week, a cosmetic reshuffle in response to the Panama scandal was announced by Dr Muscat. Dr Mizzi’s portfolios of health and energy were removed, however he was still retained as a Minister and is still tasked with major energy and health projects.