One need not pore over the data of the European Values Study - an ongoing, large-scale, cross-national and longitudinal survey research programme initiated in the late 1970s and covering the fields of religion and morality, primary relations, politics, work and leisure - to realise that secularisation does not mean that Europeans are generally less interested in the fundamental issues of our existence, on the contrary.

They may be less interested in institutional religion and less willing to passively abdicate individual, concrete, moral decisions to an institution. They are increasingly interested in confronting issues that go beyond the particular here-and-now. I am thinking of issues that are not easily spoken of - indeed language, as Wittgenstein noted, is grossly inadequate to deal with them - but which cannot be ignored. One is tempted to use the word "spiritual" issues but the word is over-used and may sound hollow in the mouth of a politician.

One such issue is that of "truth". I think this issue is central to an understanding of our time. More and more people are declaring their distrust of institutional "truths". No institutions are spared this. Religious institutions, political institutions, even, apparently, institutions involved in sports. Celebrated football clubs are suspected of involvement in the rigging of results.

National athletic organisations are accused of closing an eye when it comes to doping of Olympic champions.

The world of politics is especially hard hit by this crisis of "truth". It is a crisis across the board, from world affairs (especially after Iraq) to our own homespun pre-election, tear-jerking comedies. In his What Is The Point Of Being A Christian?, Timothy Radcliffe OP writes: "A culture which is animated by spin easily loses any sense of truth. We spend so much of our time living in imaginary worlds that it becomes hard to distinguish between fact and fiction. [...] This atrophies the fundamental instinct of human beings for the truth".

As the party to which I belong gets nearer to making its choices for the future, the issue of the truth in politics weighs heavier and heavier on my mind. The coming years will be challenging ones for the world, for Europe, for the Mediterranean region and for Malta.

The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, whoever they may be, have a special responsibility in this context.

They must, first of all, cooperate to ensure that the citizens of this country are always told the truth, no matter how unpalatable. There will certainly be disagreements on solutions and one will blame the other for what could have been done. That is quite normal. We ought not, however, ever keep citizens from knowing the truth.

We should follow the Twain maxim: "When in doubt, tell the truth". Restoring people's confidence in the possibility of truth in politics is an absolute must. On this, at least, we should agree. It will make it easier to solve the problems we shall be facing.

The European Parliament is discussing the revision of the Toy Safety Directive. The debate is attracting considerable attention, especially after last year's controversies and mass withdrawal of certain toys from the market.

It is clear that the revision is a step forward. Nevertheless, consumer organisations are of the idea that it does not go far enough. In fact, the European Consumers' Federation (BEUC) is suggesting a number of improvements.

These include the total prohibition on the use of carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic substances (CMRs). The Commission's draft envisages a ban on these substances only in "accessible" parts of the toys. Furthermore, a number of exemptions are foreseen.

BEUC also wants a total ban on all fragrances, and not only allergenic ones, and also on endocrine disruptors which are considered are substances "of very high concern".

The European Consumers' Organisation is also proposing the introduction of the precautionary principle throughout the directive. This would mean that a product could be removed from the market if it is suspected of being dangerous.

The Council of Ministers has adopted a resolution on the involvement of disadvantaged young people in society.

The situation of young people who are disadvantaged because of education, disability, socio-economic background, geographical location has become a major concern in many member states.

The resolution calls for the drawing up of strategies aimed at creating the conditions for disadvantaged young people to get more involved and integrated in society.

Dr Muscat is a Labour member of the European Parliament and vice president of the economic and monetary affairs committee.

www.josephmuscat.com