The discussion which took place in Parliament on Wednesday was nothing short of absurd. There we were, discussing a contract vital for the nation’s energy security but which very few people involved in the discussion have actually seen – possibly not more than half a dozen people around Joseph Muscat.

There was a telltale moment, which summed up the whole discussion. Unsurprisingly, it involved Konrad Mizzi and Muscat.

Our very transparent Prime Minister presented a 15-page document and tried to make us believe that this is the actual deal. The Prime Minister might be a good salesman but nobody bought this absurdity. Anybody who works in the legal or financial sector can tell you that such a complex agreement usually consists of hundreds, if not thousands, of pages. A 15-pager is probably a summary of the summary.

The government’s speakers during the three-hour-long debate revealed nothing new. The arguments which were regurgitated were a series of “we know more than you and we know best”. The constant reference to dieselupetrol.com was a clear message that the strategy presented by Simon Busuttil’s Shadow Cabinet had left its mark.

One thing which struck me during Konrad Mizzi’s speech (which was packed with superlatives and the overuse of the word “aktar”) was that there was a constant mix-up of tenses. In one breath, Konrad Mizzi, said his government would set up new companies; in the next he said they were already set up.

Mario De Marco demanded clarification. Were these companies already set up? Or are they still to be set up?

Then came the telltale moment. Konrad Mizzi looked at the Prime Minister. Muscat assured the minister that he did not need to get into further detail.

Fancy that. No need for Parliament to know whether a company existed or not! So much for the Prime Minister’s boasting of leading the most transparent government.

What I also found particularly striking is how the government side avoided addressing the Enemalta employees issue. The interconnector was also mentioned sparingly. Of course, the forbidden topic was the new power station. Like schoolboys, Muscat and Mizzi resorted to defensive smirks and constant jibes every time the Opposition questioned their honesty on the infamous electoral promise.

Mater Dei: Unanswered questions

The sad death of an elderly lady who was receiving health care in the common corridor (level -1) of Mater Dei Hospital made headlines this week. Unfortunately Chris Fearne left all questions on the case unanswered and thought it would be best for him to push Mater Dei Management in the front line to address the grave matter. He also chose to use the family of the patient, whose identity was not revealed, to guarantee the safety of the hospital. 

Nobody is questioning the efforts made by the medical and nursing staff on duty. 

The public was actually told that the beds in this area of the hospital are fully equipped and only lack the “hotel services” – television and telephone.

Another scandal, another untruth. The corridor in question is a normal corridor. It was not made to take patients. This area was never used by the previous health authorities or previous Mater Dei management.

The main unanswered questions remain. Is this a safe area for the recovery of patients? Do the beds have suction points, emergency buttons and oxygen points? Can the nurses, doctors and healthcare professionals do their job right in this environment?

Muscat supposedly had a roadmap for health. Two years down the road we know there was no plan, there were no solutions. A year ago, the solution was a tent, and a minister lost his job after jokes and puns went viral.

This year it is about packing the hospital basement corridors. This year nobody is laughing.