After a long session of rest and relaxation the news about the paucity both in number and frequency of MPs attending parliament (TMID, 30 October) came as a justified shock and disgust to the faithful and conscientious voters, some of whom even remarked that this apparent lack of interest reminded them of their youthful days when they too occasionally played truant at school.

Unfortunately a similar but less frequent situation emerges even at some court sessions as deplored and criticised recently by a dutiful member of the honourable judiciary.

Such absences are noticeable occasionally not only among the law enforcers themselves but also the judged, the ancillary professionals as well as witnesses, thereby paralysing appointed proceedings often with attendant inconvenience and possibly even damages to the parties involved.

Voters and taxpayers, quite rightly, expect not just attendance and punctuality but also an effective performance and contribution in the discharge of MPs’ duties and responsibilities.

Surely the same way that outsiders linked to the workings of both high institutions are obliged to attend to their duty on the appointed date and time, those on the inside should likewise feel duty bound to be present for the day’s proceedings to take place.

It is thus that the equilibrium of the boat of state be free of any rocking movements and is maintained on an even keel as it proceeds on course to its ultimate destination peacefully and uneventfully.

The expectant spectators waiting at the quay for the boat’s arrival will then surely greet the sighting with welcome vocal refrains and flag waiving signifying their contentment and satisfaction at the felicitous ending of the trip.

Edwin Calleja

Balzan