Opposition in yet another Parliament walkout as Konrad Mizzi rises to speak

The Nationalist Opposition yesterday walked out of Parliament as Minister Konrad Mizzi rose to speak.

Dr Mizzi was speaking about the previous night’s power cuts and later spoke about the ITS site land transfer.

He had barely spoken two words when Opposition leader Simon Busuttil told the Speaker that the Opposition would be walking out since it did not recognise the legitimacy of a minister who has a secret company in Panama.

“It is not right that he addresses this house so we will walk out and only come back later to ask questions to the Prime Minister, who is the minister responsible for the sectors.”

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat reacted, saying that Simon Busuttil had gone back on his word. He said the Opposition had indicated on Monday that it would take part in the debate. He insisted that he had chosen Konrad Mizzi to lead the debate and answer questions.

The Opposition MPs replied by walking out of the chamber.

Independent MP Marlene Farrugia asked the minister to give a clear deadline for the completion of the power station. “We are really starting to believe that this is another Alice in Wonderland,” she said.

In a repetition of what happened in the morning, Dr Mizzi failed to give a straight answer. He said the construction phase had been completed and the new plant was being tested. “In the coming weeks it will start working in an open cycle and after the necessary certification it will shift to a combined cycle,” he said. The conversion of the BWSC plant to run on gas will start today, with the process lasting several weeks.

Later on the Opposition walked into the chamber again after Mizzi’s ministerial statement on the ITS site land transfer.