The Opposition has urged Government Ministers not to talk so much during this year’s Budget debate and let the voices of others to be heard.Government has pledged it will engage in a “meaningful debate” and be “professional and considerate,” but said it will take the time it needs to explain the figures.The Opposition has complained in previous years that Ministers have hogged the debate to the extent that they were left with no time to make their points.Under new Parliamentary rules, there are more hours set aside than before to discuss the financial plan for the fiscal year 2011/12.MPs will discuss it in detail for a total of 56 hours over the next two weeks, with the House of Assembly sitting on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.While the United Bermuda Party gets to allocate how much time each debate item gets in total, they cannot control how much time each MP talks.United Bermuda Party whip Cole Simons said last night: “The Premier in her Budget statement committed her Government to an open Budget process to develop opportunities for greater public feedback and engagement in decisions on spending and taxation.“The United Bermuda Party wholeheartedly supports this commitment to transparency and we look forward to the two-week debate, which begins today, to start this process.“Our hope is for a robust and searching debate that enables as many Opposition and Government backbenchers to participate as possible. This is something that has not happened in the past because of the time taken by Ministers and their opposite numbers.”He said in order for everyone’s voice to be heard: “We need Government Ministers and shadow spokesmen to adhere to reasonable time limits, and we think no more than one hour each is reasonable.“This will work where we have allocated four or more hours to a particular Ministry, but not where we have scheduled three hours or less. In these shorter debates, we hope common sense and reasonableness will prevail for the sake of allowing more voices to be heard.“For our part, in the spirit of cooperation and greater accountability, transparency and fairness, the United Bermuda Party is prepared to leave time at the end of each debate for Ministers to reply to questions.”He added that he hoped Ministers would share their briefs with their opposite numbers in advance, in order to be helpful.Ms Foggo said in response: “I wish to state categorically that the Government is committed to ensuring at all times and particularly during the Budget debate... that the conduct of all Government Ministers and members will be [delivered with] aplomb, [be] professional and considerate and will provide the full and frank debate that the people of Bermuda deserve.”She said new Parliamentary rules governing how long each MP can speak do not apply to the Budget debate. However: “The Government fully understands the importance and need for all legislators to utilise the appropriate time to properly explain the dispensing of the public purse in a manner which invites and allows all of Bermuda to comprehend such.”She added: “Points for consideration by the UBP regarding the nature and operations of the Budget debate were shared as early as February 17, 2011, therefore demonstrating Government’s commitment to fairness, transparency and its desire for an evenhanded process.”She said it is discretionary for Ministers whether to share their briefs and they will “use the appropriate time to properly explain their budget expensing”.Ms Foggo added: “It is unreasonable to expect Ministers in particular to be subjected to time constraints which might prevent a proper explanation of matters of such high importance and magnitude. All legislators are willing and eager and indeed committed to engaging in a meaningful and balanced debate.“The Government fully understands the UBP’s efforts to ensure a keen and hardy debate and such efforts are appreciated and have been reciprocal. We thank them for such. “