Alternattiva Demokratika has suggested it may be feasible to reintroduce the Mgarr/Sa Maison hydrofoil service or the catamaran from Gozo to Sliema and Sa Maison.

Calling for better transport to and within Gozo, AD Gozo regional committee spokes-man Victor Galea yesterday said such a service would be more convenient for commuters. It would also help reduce the amount of traffic passing through the islands.

"The catamaran service to Sliema and Sa Maison, as was available some years ago, would give commuters, Gozitan workers and tourists the opportunity of a fast, comfortable and scenic trip to Valletta," Mr Galea said. However, the road infrastructure and transport system in Gozo had to be up to scratch, he added.

For it would be useless to provide the catamaran service to Marsalforn, for example, if no buses were available to take visitors and commuters to the desired destinations.

AD chairman Harry Vassallo complained that the expense on just the Gozo end of the Mgarr/Cirkewwa terminal project was estimated to top Lm14.5 million from the Lm7 million originally budgeted.

Originally the government had wanted both the Mgarr and Cirkewwa terminals to be all-weather harbours. But it seemed that this was not to be the case with the Cirkewwa terminal, Dr Vassallo added.