The Prime Minister tonight gave a breakdown of two recent summits dealing with Eastern Europe and routine policy, but it somehow later turned into a slanging match between himself and Simon Busuttil.
One of the summits in question dealt with the relationship between the EU and South America, with Opposition leader Simon Busuttil pouncing on the occasion to question what Malta thinks of Argentina, seeing as junior minister Michael Falzon went on a hunting trip with Mark Gafferna, who is currently embroiled in an expropriation scandal.
The Opposition leader said that Malta already had "a sort of relationship with Argentina", but the PM looked flummoxed. Dr Busuttil asked: "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 if the PM knew of what was taking place on his watch, "right under his nose".
Dr 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 give answers about a member of Falzon's secretariat accompanied who Gaffarena to the Government Property Division.
In reply, Muscat accused Busuttil of "blatant disrespect towards parliamentary accountability".
"I find no problem in answering your question - I look forward to the conclusions of the ongoing investigations," Muscat said, referring to an investigation by the National Audit Office and the IAID, into the compensation package offered to Gaffarena in return for his part ownership of a Valletta property which is soon to house the Building Industry Consultative Council.
"Yet, I thank God for this investigation because we are uncovering old files that have very interesting stories to tell. I want accountability everywhere and every time."
Dr Muscat said that while Dr 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, 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 just doesn't get it."
Accusing Busuttil of having ridiculed parliament, Muscat said: "What sort of message are we sending to the diplomatic world when 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."