'I never wanted to spark a vote of no confidence' – Debono tells House on justice and home affairs

Addressing the House during the debate of the 24-point justice and home affairs motion he tabled last November, backbencher Franco Debono said that he had never wished to spark a no confidence motion in former minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici.

"I tabled my motion because I seriously believe in these reforms. I never wanted to spark a vote of no confidence in anyone. Many were criticisng the two sectors and I wished that it was parliament to debate justice and home affairs and not the media," Debono said this evening.

"This is a positive motion, my modest call to bring the needed reforms high on the parliament's agenda. This House must be the place where we discuss and resolve the steps we need to take."

He reiterated that most importantly, the two sectors needed to see an increase in human resources, equipment and a change in mentality and attitude.

"This is not a no confidence motion, but a motion which suggests important reforms in a sector which is as much as important as the economy is," he reiterated.

Debono also said that it would have been more prudent if his motion was discussed before the Prime Minister took the decision to split justice and home affairs. He then went on to praise Justice Minister Chris Said for the work he is doing and for involving him [Debono].

"My presence here today is witness to my commitment to the sector. If I was as haughty as claimed by certain media I wouldn't be standing here today discussing these reforms and insisting for the discussion even after Mifsud Bonnici resigned."

Debono's proposals include the setting up of a committee responsible for judicial appointments based on the Scottish model and the amalgamation of the Law Commission with the parliamentary select committee for the re-codification and consolidation of laws.

He also expressed his disapproval of the amendments to the Criminal Law as proposed by Mifsud Bonnici, insisting that harshening penalties was "the easiest thing a legislator can do".

He said that the absolute discretion held by the Attorney General to decide whether a person should face trial by jury or not should be revised and guidelines should be set up.

Debono questioned how two persons with almost identical cases get different sentences just because one appeared before a magistrate while the other before of a judge.

"The AG, while retaining his discretion, should at least have the duty to explain his decisions. I also do not agree that it is the AG who determines whether a first-offender should be given a warning or not," he said, arguing that this would give space for allegations that the AG was taking his decisions based on who the person was.

Debono called for the setting up of a section in the drugs squad that dealt with first offenders through a report-and-admonition section.

On fighting criminality, Debono said it should no longer be the home affairs minister who should approve warrants for interception of communication, but through an independent investigation authority.

He reiterated calls for criminal libel to be removed, while increasing the penalties for those found guilty of defamation.

Taking the floor, the Opposition's spokesman on justice Jose Herrera said that the Opposition would be backing Debono's motion.