UPDATE 2: Gonzi to take personal responsibility for Mepa reform
"A gimmick" says AD
"Now that we have reduced the financial deficit, the government's priority will be to reduce the environment deficit" Dr Gonzi told a press conference at the former landfill in Maghtab. He described the need to reform Mepa as "crucial".
He also said that the vehicle registration tax would be replaced by a new system based on the polluter pays principle, under which vehicle owners would be required to pay according to the pollution which their vehicles cause. In this way, those who opted for vehicles which polluted less would be rewarded, Dr Gonzi said.
Dr Gonzi said a new government would also invest heavily in an offshore wind farm which would produce the equivalent of a fifth of the power currently produced by the power stations.
Dr Gonzi said the environment would be a pillar of a new PN government . The past few years had seen a record number of environmental projects but much more remained to be done for the environment. The two biggest environmental challenges was balancing the environment with sustainable development and the issue of climate change.
Dr Gonzi said “some” of the measures which the PN was proposing were:
Major investment on a wind farm 20 miles off Malta to generate between 75 to 100 megewatts of clean energy, a fifth of the current power output from the power stations.
New incentives for families and businesse to invest in clean energy. It would become more attractive for homes and shops to sell tot he national grid surplus electricity they would have produced.
Incentives would be introduced for greater use in households of environment friendly measures. Each family would be given five energy saving bulbs every year for two years. Experts calculated that a family which replaced five 100W bulbs with energy saving bulbs saved €100 a year. This, would therefore mean a saving of €200 for families.
The vehicle registration tax would be replaced by a new system based on the polluter pays principle, whereby those who opted for low emission vehicles would be rewarded.
The government, Dr Gonzi said, also wanted to turn Gozo into an eco-island, a model of sustainable development. This development would start from a pilot project in one village where energy would come from renewable sources, and there would be modern waste management, better controlled air and noise quality.
The government would also invest on a power cable between Malta and Sicily to ensure security of supply.
Dr Gonzi said Mepa was vastly different from the way building permits used to be issued under Labour in the 1980s but reform was clearly needed to ensure there was even greater efficiency and transparency, for decisions to be uniform, for law enforcement to be strengthened and to remove any shadow of suspected irregularities. He would therefore take personal charge of this reform process, something, which, he later said, was suggested by Environment Minister George Pullicino himself.
Replying to questions, Dr Gonzi said the government had allowed spring hunting in the past four years. The European Commission was now insisting that a European Court decision against Finland, taken in 2005, two years after Malta joined the EU, would have to be respected by Malta. The government, Dr Gonzi said, was standing by what was agreed in the accession talks but would respect the decision of the European Court.
Alternattiva Demokratika leader Dr Harry Vassallo in a reaction called the proposal made by Dr Gonzi as "a cheap gimmick".
"Once more the Prime Minister is following closely in AD's tracks. Alternattiva Demokratika had indicated the need for prime ministerial responsibility for land-use planning before the 2003 election," he said.
"Although he was ex-officio chair of the Malta Council for Sustainable Development he failed to attend any meeting for months on end until he was publicly criticised by Martin Scicluna" Dr Vassallo said
"Dr Gonzi's credibility in this sector is below zero and his past claims to hold the environment as one of his policy pillars has become a classic of Maltese political doublespeak. By renewing his environment pillar promises he only reminds the country of his deliberate betrayal of the legitimate expectations of the Maltese to enjoy a decent quality of life."
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James De Giorgio
Feb 26th 2008, 00:57
To Bernard Glanville, you state that (quoting) "I can't understand Daphne's comment about Labour not being able to finish a Bugibba sidewalk within 22 months. From what I can remember the whole of Bugibba was transformed in a matter of a few months. If you re going to criticise please get your facts a bit straight, some people actually think you know what you're saying." As a matter of fact she does... Bugibba's iron railings had to be changed ENTIRELY when the PN were returned in government in 1998 because they all rusted and were eventually deemed a public hazard.
Robert Grech
Feb 23rd 2008, 03:40
Frederick I couldn't agree with you more, but, having Labour in government, will mean having Alfed Sant as prime minister. In all honesty, I am no PN sympathiser a couple of weeks ago i was more than ready to vote for AN. But in reality I can't see anyone besides Sant or Gonzi as prime minister and I'm scared of Sant and the MLP. As much as I would have enjoyed voting AN I don't want to see Sant as prime minister. He above everything else is very spontaneous and will do things you never expect and I don't want that, nor George Vella. I respect every body's opinion here and I do believe in multi party politics, but not when I will be risking 5 years under Dr. Sant. I urge everyone to have a look at the MLP's manifest and I sincerely hope halfing the surchagre(which is a dumb idea, because everyone should pay for what he uses/consumes) will not involve a price hike in fuels (diesel and petrol. If the whole country wants to move forward we need to get rid of Alfred Sant.
Frederick Abdilla
Feb 21st 2008, 15:05
My previous comments were not posted for some reason, so I hope this one will go through.
To Daphne: "Oh and by the way, I am DYING to have an answer to this simple question, Claire and all the other AD supporters out there: who do you choose as prime minister, Lawrence Gonzi or Alfred Sant? You can't not have a preference, and if you say Gonzi, then you know what to do - and it's not a vote for AD."
My answer is simple. I would prefer Dr. Gonzi. But I also do realise that I can't compromise my vote anymore. We have already done that in the past election to secure Malta's place in the EU. We won't be fooled again this time. The big parties will always picture the election as a do or die situation, because that is the way it suits them. But whoever has the biggest chance of winning doesn't make a difference to me anymore. It is the time to show that many people are fed up with this duopoly in politics. As RATM would say: "What better place than here. What better time than now."
Bernard Glanville
Feb 18th 2008, 15:57
My oh my Daphne sure is fired up, she's got loads of comments strewn all over this site. All of which canvassing the present government and belittling anyone who chooses to vote for anyone else. Answer me this Daphne... don t you have anything better to do?
Daphne Caruana Galizia
Feb 15th 2008, 19:36
I am afraid that the magic number '20 years' is stuck in the brains of AD and Labour activists. 1992 was not 'more than 20 years ago', Claire. It was 16 years ago and - sorry to have to remind you about this - Alfred Sant was prime minister for two years in that period, and to what did he dedicate his time and effort? Sorting out Mepa? Doing wonderful things for the environment? No - he spent two whole years first inventing a tax then coping with the fall-out, and when that was done, he went shrieking down to Birgu, picked a fight with Mintoff, called an election and was back in Opposition. Now you want to return him as prime minister. What can I say? If he makes as good a job of Mepa as he did of CET.....Oh and by the way, I am DYING to have an answer to this simple question, Claire and all the other AD supporters out there: who do you choose as prime minister, Lawrence Gonzi or Alfred Sant? You can't not have a preference, and if you say Gonzi, then you know what to do - and it's not a vote for AD.
Joseph Aquilina
Feb 15th 2008, 17:32
If you consider 22 months a few months then you are right!! Mintoff himself took Dr.Sant out!! - why do you think he did that? Because he believed Dr.Sant was doing a good job as PM? He told us the VAT was bad – he was wrong, he told us the EU was bad – he was wrong, he told us to devalue the value of our Lira – he was wrong. The problem in Malta is not MEPA, not the Surcharge, and nor Corruption. The problem in Malta is much bigger. The problem in Malta is that some people are brought to this world to vote for one party or the other regardless of what that party says or does! It is thanks to these people that Dr.Sant has kept power in the MLP for so long because these people do not care who is leading Malta, but care only to see the MLP in power!! As if this was just a football match!!! I truly believe that many MLP supporters do not want Dr.Sant – and those MLP supporters should give a clear message to MLP!!
Albert Gauci Cunningham
Feb 15th 2008, 15:16
I'm pro divorce, i'm very pro environment, I'm pro gay and liberal....which means that I should be a natural AD voter........the problem is that if the MLP or the PN gets 1 ( yes only 1) vote more than 50% the party would govern with a majority (3 majority seats in MLP's case!!) this is not about governance or nice words, these are the facts as much as it is a fact that voting AD will probably mean no coalition at all but enough votes to re elect Dr.Sant in govt!!! Sorry I do not believe this country deserves a govt by default, and any ay a coalition is done when 1 party cannot form a govt!
Our unfair electoral system as formulated now gives very little possibility for a third party to be elected and makes a coalition close to impossible!!...........if or when Labour is elected it'll be on your ( AD's) doors we'll be knocking when the going gets tough and everyone and his brother starts complaining about how the MLP ( like 1996!!) has taken everyone for a ride unless you don't have some kind of "coalition" plans with the MLP. Of course the AD won't say such a thing or they would loose most of their votes!!!
Claire Bonello
Feb 15th 2008, 14:27
Joseph Aquilina seems to think that Malta has run up an environmental deficit because Gonzi was too busy reducing the economic deficit. Does this mean that we have to be lumped with EITHER the economic deficit or the environmental deficit? Or that only Gonzi can address these deficits? What happens when another area needs attention? Will Gonzi fly in to the rescue then? Contrarily to the image which the PN is trying to project a government cannot be made up of one man, however capable. It is made up of ministers appointed by the PM. He is responsible for ensuring that all ministries are well-manned and functioning. This has not happened in a number of ministries. It is a pity that constructive criticism on these lines is interpreted as an attack. It is a pointless and exclusive system. Maybe we should wake up to the fact that there is another way of doing things
Bernard Glanville
Feb 15th 2008, 12:05
I can t understand Daphne's comment about Labour not being able to finish a Bugibba sidewalk within 22 months. From what I can remember the whole of Bugibba was transformed in a matter of a few months. If you re going to criticise please get your facts a bit straight, some people actually think you know what you're saying.
On a further note I'm sure there were loads of abuses during Lorry's time as there are now. The only difference was that everyone could so to speak bend the law and get away with it. For some odd reason, MEPA seems to have two weights and measures, one for a select group of contractors and people in the right contacts and those with neither (i.e. the rest of us).
Joseph Aquilina
Feb 15th 2008, 10:57
‘Wasn't Dr.Gonzi around these last 4 years – why didn't he do anything then?’ – Because maybe he was having a great success in reducing Malta’s deficit? I believe you (and all AD potential voters) should thing the other way round – Can Dr.Gonzi have the same success he had as Finance Minister also in environment matters? Or better still; who can best protect our environment? Dr.Gonzi or Dr.Sant – who may I remind of the little meetings he had with various contractors around a year ago! If you love the environment, in the same way I do (I was present in nearly all AD protests), then you know who can be trusted to keep his promises and who cannot!
Mark Bonello
Feb 15th 2008, 10:55
Excuse me Ms. Caruana Galizia but what was the point you raised about setting up MEPA? So with the same reasoning we should be forever grateful to Labour Governments for introducing free public healthcare, free education for everyone, social services, and everything that this country needed to be built on solid foundation. So now we agree we should thank the PN for setting up MEPA and you will definitely join me in thanking Labour for setting up the most essential services that this country needs. At last we manage to agree on something.
But what is more strange is that although MEPA has been set up - and again let's demonise Lorry Sant - every time I happen to be passing by Ghadira Bay I strangely still seem to see Green Boat Houses built illegally. Even when I pass next to Armier Bay I still seem to notice some illegally built boathouses over there. But wait wasn't there a plan by a Nationalist Government in the long distant past that these boat houses would be demolished?
Well as far as I'm concerned with MEPA we are not living any better than we used to in the 1980s as illegal buildings are still there and nobody is doing anything about them (wait let me see maybe Gonzi is afraid to lose more votes?), the outside development zones have been approved, the Ramla project was approved and then government had to admit failure and pulled back its decision! So just think about it. Gonzi wants to become the new Mintoff - hell they hail from the same district. By the end of this electoral campaign Gonzi will have to take personal responsibility for the MEPA reform, the infrastructural projects, Gozo, Finances, the Environment in general, Roads, and everything else a government should do. And we would end up not with a Cabinet but with a perverse concept of democracy with one man leading the whole country to ruins. Something like an authoritarian state!
Ian Meli
Feb 15th 2008, 08:52
Reuben,
A vote to AD is not a vote for governance.
A vote to AD is an assurance of GOOD governance by whichever party will be in the government.
Reuben Balzan
Feb 14th 2008, 19:50
'Let's vote AD so that niether Gonzi nor the Labour would win.'
David Mangion, who will be governing us if we voted AD?
Anthony mizzi
Feb 14th 2008, 16:30
With reference to Daphne's comment, the critics are not bedazzled by last minute election promises or gimmicks.
The MEPA's state of affairs has even made supposedly bad old times into good old days where hundreds of wage earners benefited from schemes with help and support for loans through Lohombus to afford their dream home.
As for Bugibba project, it was not just a sidewalk and this project was done with controlled budget, supervision, established benchmarks and time frames and most certainly with accountability.
That is what the Malta Labour Party is offering, accountability, good governance and zero tolerance in corruption.
Yes, Labour is not only a good choice but the right choice.
Claire Bonello
Feb 14th 2008, 14:40
MEPA was set up in 1992, more than 20 years ago. It is not a question of not wanting MEPA. It is a matter of seeing whether it has been allowed to become an ineffectual institution perceived to be responsible for maladministration by the public - this has happened under a Nationalist administration (by Gonzi's own admission). I'm sorry - waking up to this on the eve of the election is just not credible. Wasn't Gonzi around these last 4 years - why didn't he do anything then?
Karl Serracino
Feb 14th 2008, 12:24
Yes, track record and that is it. It is very easy to be an armchair critic without being objective or logical (as always). This is a step forward for Malta, especially now that environment awareness is becoming more evident. Well done Mr Prime Minister, you are showing your innovative skills to govern.
Daphne Caruana Galizia
Feb 14th 2008, 02:17
Excuse me, but aren't all you critics forgetting something here? You run down the Nationalist government for not administering MEPA properly, but then forget to remember that it was the Nationalist government that set it up in the first place. Maybe you'd rather have stayed with the Lorry Sant system? I thought the human brain had the capacity for both short- and long-term memory. I don't find anything funny in the prime minister taking over responsibility for what is clearly, to you at least, the country's most pressing problem. Speaking for myself, I can think of some more important things to worry about than buildings, but that's just me. Better the apparent amusement factor of Gonzi taking this project under his wing than seeing it go to the bunglers who couldn't even organise a Bugibba sidewalk in 22 months (and they have the nerve to tell us to vote Labour because of the Regional Road bridge).
Albert gauci Cunningham
Feb 13th 2008, 22:41
hahaha!! Yes Natasha Tabone you're right its so funny that Gonzi came up with all these initiatives in the PN electoral programme!!........what is not so funny is that the word environment doesn't seem to exist in Dr.Sant's dictionary!! With regards to Claire Bonello our new ( anti anything blue!!) contributor on the Sunday Times and all the AD team...................does RENE ROUSSIGNAUD RING A BELL???
Dion Borg
Feb 13th 2008, 21:04
Well better late than never…one inevitably looks back on one’s potential deathbed. Whilst Dr. Gonzi may now sound sincere about the environment, I believe that the post election meaning of environmental matters will become distorted.
Thus I would suggest that if re-elected PM Dr. Gonzi should retain a marco approach, and have someone with strong principles, impeccable dedication, and technical expertise, to give us the MEPA we need….and there’s none better than Carmel Cacopardo for this task…yep the same person Dr. Gonzi allowed to be kicked out on his watch.
It is evident that apart from potentially sincere initial good intentions, one needs to have a guard with effective direct crucial influence to ensure that the set path is faithfully abided by, rather then getting conveniently derailed due to diverging interests. In this regard, AD’s contribution in the forthcoming cabinet would be instrumental!
J Zammit
Feb 13th 2008, 19:09
Lawrence Gonzi's showing he means business on the environment and he's staking his political career on it. He's the only politician who can deliver. However much I like AD, voting AD will mean Sant in Castile and a great defeat for the environment. It sounds counterintuitive, but voting PN means I get most of AD's proposals acutally implemented.
Claire Bonello
Feb 13th 2008, 17:18
E Tabone has described Gonzi's track record. There are some points he has left out
1) Extension of the development zones
2) Allowing MEPA to become what it is (by his own admission it needs major reform)
3) Dismissing !questionable" behaviour by ministers
4) Cost over runs and DELAYS in infrastructural projects (roads, roads, roads)
These issues should and could have been addressed before. Promising everything on the eve of the election won't do
Natasha Tabone
Feb 13th 2008, 16:07
This is so funny! NOW he wants to take over MEPA, NOW as if he's not been in government for the last 4 years. NOW after MEPA made some doubtful decisions and ruined the environment!
This is also an admission that Georgie Pullicino has failed.
J Buttigieg
Feb 13th 2008, 14:50
I think that this is another fruitful decision proposed by our PM Dr. Lawrence Gonzi. I am an economics student at post secondary level and as we have learnt, the (financial) criteria being achieved show the credibility of the government and that Malta is surely on the right track, no matter what the Labour supporters may say..
E. Tabone
Feb 13th 2008, 14:37
Claire, I'll take your advice ("Voters have to judge a politician by his track record ") and reason it out publicly:
Gonzi:
EU
Euro
EU projects
Smart city
MCAST
Broadening of tax bands
Increase in children's allowance
First time buyers incentives
Sant:
Bugibba pavement
CET - later abolished
Ok.. thanks! It's PN for me :)
Claire Bonello
Feb 13th 2008, 10:08
It is heartening to see that the protection of the environment and MEPA reform are surfacing on the Nationalist agenda even at this very late hour. However I find it very odd that Gonzi has been in power for 4 years and has never noticed that there was a problem (an environmental deficit" in his words). Didn't he see what was going on? Why didn't he lift a finger then? Why didn't he beef up the ministry then? Voters have to judge a politician by his track record and Gonzi's (by his own admission) are very poor
Christian Peregin
Feb 13th 2008, 00:50
Well... even if the plans he's proposing were initially proposed by AD, it's good to see that Gonzi has realised that the environment is an important issue for the Maltese and that he will hold himself personally responsible for Malta's cleanup. The truth is that he has much more of a chance than AD to do this - so I say, well done, go for it, and make sure you do a brilliant job, because Malta is in dire need for it!
Joseph Briffa
Feb 12th 2008, 21:56
The promise by L Gonzi to take direct responsibility for MEPA reform is indeed welcome. In a small island like ours, the task of a regulatory authority on the issue of building permits which involve hundreds of thousands of euros and which can make people rich overnight or else attract the wrath of the developer if the permit is denied, is indeed a very difficult one. It is therefore a very good idea that the direct responsibility of this authority be taken over by the PM. Dr Gonzi did a very good job as Finance Minister; proof of this is the aceptance of Malta in the Eurozone. There is therefore no reason to doubt that Dr Gonzi will also make a success of the MEPA reform in the coming legislature.
E. Tabone
Feb 12th 2008, 20:56
Mr Laiviera... I am currently living in the UK... been here for several months now... so apologies if maybe I missed a speech regarding Spring Hunting... I also apologise because 10 mins after I wrote that comment the Spring Hunting article re Gonzi's and Sant's views was published.
And since you asked where I'm living.... I'm sure working for several months in different EU countries over the past years wouldn't have been that easy had we been a Mediterrenean Swiss...
Karl Gouder
Feb 12th 2008, 20:25
Lawrence Gonzi has today further shown that he has the drive to turn Malta’s challenges into success. Let’s face it, Prime Minister Gonzi needn’t prove his credentials as he has managed, in barely three years and a half, to tame the budget deficit and steer Malta into the Euro Zone. Now that the drive shall be channelled into environmental issues, success is a step closer. If someone were to label these practical proposals as a gimmick then one would be showing lack of willingness for dialogue, and, alas, a myopic vision. Let’s take the proposal for the distribution of free energy-saving light-bulbs as an example. This proposal can be implemented and is certainly not a vote-catching promise. London mayor Ken Livingstone has successfully implemented a similar scheme where Londoners could exchange their light-bulbs to energy-saving light-bulbs for free. Thus, it cannot be a gimmick, it is not a vague promise either, but a plan that was already tried and tested in other realities and which is ready to be implemented. Furthermore, the Prime Minister’s promise with the electorate that MEPA will be reformed in order to improve on its transparency goes to show that the Party which he represents is in close contact with the people. This is a further confirmation that the Nationalist Party is willing, and does, listen to the people and is willing to live a culture of dialogue when in government.
Rupert Cefai
Feb 12th 2008, 18:37
Lets assume that Dr. Gonzi will be able to tackle and solve the MEPA problem. What will happen to finances in the meantime?
David Mangion
Feb 12th 2008, 18:19
Dr. Gonzi is demolishing all that we, old 1980' s PN activists had worked for, and believed in. We used to abhor the Mintoffian way of a one-man party, and now Gonzi is doing just the same, distributing failure certificates to his ministers and promising to take the job in his responsibility should he be re-elected. Well done George Pullicino, your failure certificate has been just served. Do you still want to stand as a PN candidate? What will Dr. Gonzi do wherever there's a failure in future? Absorb it into his responsibility? What are we voting for? PN or Gonzi? For the good of the party, let's refresh our values of freedom and democracy. Let's vote AD so that niether Gonzi nor the Labour would win. Only then will the PN be able to start afresh.
Victor Battistino
Feb 12th 2008, 18:10
This is a very original and genuine effort at tackling a problem - all environmentalists should feel proud that their preaching is finally being listened to - under Dr.Gonzi, the country's finance has been reborn and it can only be the same with Mepa.
Mark Bonello
Feb 12th 2008, 17:30
Mr. Ellul suggested that Dr. Gonzi has been successful in everything that he has personally undertaken. Unfortunately, Mr. Ellul a government is not composed of just a single man but of a bunch of Ministers and in that area all of the PN Ministers in the last legislature have failed miserably.
Jurgen Cassar
Feb 12th 2008, 17:29
as the day comes closer....the choice is becoming obvious...Lawrence Gonzi !
Joseph Aquilina
Feb 12th 2008, 17:24
Unfortunatly AD and nearly all Green Parties think they have some type of monopoly over the environment. Dr.Gonzi said that should he win the elections than he will put more of his time on environment issues. Dr.Vassallo, AD and AD supporters should be happy for such a statement ... but I think AD at this point can only be happy if they get a seat in parlament ... that is more important than the environment at this point!
Albert Gauci Cunningham
Feb 12th 2008, 17:14
Four years ago the Prime minister took the bull by the horns and decided to put our house in order when it comes to finances! Look where we stand today....we are members of the Eurozone. Once he did that then, why should I not believe him now!!
Anthony Mizzi
Feb 12th 2008, 17:14
If Dr. Gonzi stood up and gave support when needed to Carmel Caccopardo ' position within MEPA, he would be more credible in promising responsability for MEPA reform.
Carmel Caccopardo's credentials are well and truly known to Dr. Gonzi.
Victor Laiviera
Feb 12th 2008, 17:09
Mr E. Tabone said "Spring hunting? oh wait.. we don't know what the MLP think about that yet."
Where has he been living? The MLP has said, repeatedly and publicly, that EU rules will be fully applied in this matter.
It is the PN that is dragging its feet and contesting the EU decision.
Joss Kerr
Feb 12th 2008, 17:02
Thank you very much AD for proposing Gozo as an eco-island. But even greater thanks to Dr. Gonzi for taking it up. Any party that has the full potential of forming the next government and which is prepared to wage war on unnecessary noise gets my vote.
Visit Xatt L-Ahmar on peaceful (sic) Gozo for a nerve-wracking time of dogs barking all day and every day!
ray pace
Feb 12th 2008, 16:40
Today's announcement is another feather in Dr Gonzi's cap. Those who know Dr Gonzi, know that he means business. He has given ample proof during his short term as Prime Minister. Taking responsibility of Mepa is surely not an electoral gimmick.
Mario Debono
Feb 12th 2008, 16:00
Dr Gonzi is trying hard to be innovative and these ideas are certainly innovative. This is the fundamental difference between the PN and AD and the MLP. The PN is innovative in ideas but at the same time practical. It does not promise the earth on a plate. Certainly the PN needs a kick in the butt sometimes. With Gonzi getting rid of excess baggage , this will certainly happen.
Alex Ellul
Feb 12th 2008, 16:00
I have been asked where I was in the past four years. But what about the last 10? Ive been counting:
Dr. Sant's sucesses during 2 years at Castille:
1. A sidewalk at Bugibba
Dr. Gonzi's 3.5 years:
The deficit
Foreign investment
Smart City
Tourism (a record last year and a forecast record this year)
Building of new schools and colleges
10,000+ students at university
MCAST
Kilometers upon kilometers of roads (+ a few centimeters of cracks)
Freeport
Euro
Malta's improved Credit Ratings
Shall I continue?
louis ebejer
Feb 12th 2008, 15:36
People have been asking for a reform of Mepa for ages.Is it now on the eve of an election that Dr Gonzi has discovered that Mepa needs a reform and clean up? With sa uper prime minister like him why do we need any more ministers and P.S.? Alarm bells have long been sounded by the MEPA audit office led M Falzon and Mr Cacopardo for ages. If he do not remember the voters will!!
E. Tabone
Feb 12th 2008, 15:18
So... some of you are implying it's a little too late for Dr Gonzi to take responsibility for the Mepa reform because, according to you, Mepa's reform is long overdue... Let's assume this is a right, mature, and objective argument.
Labour are saying they will renegotiate with the EU and make the best out of it - but that is too little too late - they had told us they're against the EU, and now EU officials are already arguing that this renegotiation is out of the question.
Labour is proposing a free health system - too little too late, they introduced the 50c per prescription tax.
Labour is proposing an energy-efficient country - too little too late, they already proposed a reduction in the surcharge which encourages consumption.
Spring hunting? oh wait.. we don't know what the MLP think about that yet.
Now to be honest, I don't really know what it means to live in the 1970’s, but I do remember Dr Sant winning the election in 1996. And I remember telling everyone... So what.. Surely it can't be that bad... Give them a chance! And we did... and we gave these guys a chance (the same guys that are still contesting the MLP election now...) and what was the result?
Tim Leone Ganado
Feb 12th 2008, 15:15
Even B&Q are giving free light bulbs here in the UK.
Robert Bugeja
Feb 12th 2008, 15:13
Mr.Ellul and Mr.Grech allow me to ask you a question on the subject. Can you please tell me where have you been living during the last 4 and a half years? What track record are you talking about? Gonzi's?... Can you tell me how we are living better today than four and a half years ago. We need a serious man at the helm. Sorry but this time you deserve a RED CARD!!!
Victor Laiviera
Feb 12th 2008, 14:36
Distributing free light-bulbs now?
What else will the PN think of in its desperate search for votes?
It would be amusing if it was not so tragic.
Alex Ellul
Feb 12th 2008, 14:18
Dr. Gonzi has succeeded in all issues that he has personally undertaken. The Maltese people will be highly motivated to follow Dr. Gonzi in making another success out of Mepa.
Christian Ellul
Feb 12th 2008, 14:05
I don't think this is an election gimmick like Anthony Mizzi said. Throughout this whole legislature the Prime minister has always kept the environment and waste as a central theme, and many actions where taken on this regard. (Maghtab, il- Qortin, Sant Antnin, 34U campaign, Foresta 2000, Selmun, Kennedy Grove, Water Recycling Plants...) work hardly seen before in our country, a country which is not used to give the environment a priority.
Yes, I think MEPA needs a reform to enphasise transparency and for it to be more efficient. I believe Dr. Gonzi can deal with this problem and bring positive results, as he undoubtedly managed to do with the Maltese economy.
Mark Vella
Feb 12th 2008, 13:57
Gozo as an eco -island was first proposed by AD.
Mark Bonello
Feb 12th 2008, 13:54
I apologise but am I going crazy or what? Dr Gonzi is now promising to take over personal responsibility for Mepa reform - and I ask why now?
Was he so cut off from the population that he did not even realise that Mepa needed a reform a long time ago or has he only gotten into politics this week for him to notice so late?? Throughout his tenure as Prime Minister Mepa has been riddled with questionable cases included the famous Carmel Cacopardo and the Ramla Bay Development. He has encountered numerous mass protests including those of 'Flimkien Ghall-Ambjent Ahjar' and many others but......yet he has realised that Mepa needs a reform only now!!!
This is the same as the case of the Cabinet members. Gonzi is only now promising to change his Cabinet if re-elected. But Dr. Gonzi, you had four years time to do all this!!!
Robert Grech
Feb 12th 2008, 13:47
I think this is a great idea. There is no denying that Dr. Gonzi did extremely well in the finance ministry with the help of Tonio Fenech and the proof of their hard work is that we are now in the Euro zone and we have a lower deficit than we had 4 years ago. So I believe that Dr. Gonzi will perform well under this new portfolio and give the results we the people want from Mepa. One should give credit where it is due and be constructive and factual in his criticism unlike you Mr. Mizzi. I kindly ask you to prove what you have typed down with facts and explain to me why reducing the surcharge is not a political gimmick.
Anthony Mizzi
Feb 12th 2008, 13:26
Another election gimmick? Dr Gonzi taking over Mepa if elected to power? What will happen to George Pullicino then? Will he end up as a consultant like John Dalli the previous Finance Minister ended up.
May I remind Dr. Gonzi that he has been Prime Minister at least 4 years and his party has been in power much longerand it was during this administration that Mepa was transformed into the monster that it now is. Too little too late Dr. Gonzi
Miriam Galea
Feb 12th 2008, 13:26
I think that someone from AD should send Prim Minister Gonzi a membership form to join AD.
Graham Crocker
Feb 12th 2008, 11:56
The registration tax has to be removed under any government, because the EU watch dog gave us the last warning.
I have no idea what a reform of Mepa would do, maybe others could reply on if its a good thing or a bad thing (a Mepa worker maybe).
I do find investing in an offshore windfarm to be quite interesting and I like the idea.
A little suggestion would be to use to use building debris to create artificial islands .
A great suggestion to the government would be subsidizing research on electric engines for vehicles. (since we drive short distances). T A big plus is that a new technology would create new job & really make us Smart Island.