Junior doctors are tomorrow's consultants. We need them today and we will need them more tomorrow.

We must provide junior doctors with a proper career structure locally - and this is the fundamental issue. Junior doctors leave Malta because they want to continue learning. They cannot do this without a proper post-graduate training and career structure.

There is no career structure at present - young doctors are keen to learn and advance their knowledge.

We are failing them by not providing the system within which they can learn and train. They should be able to train in Malta and remain here. This is their country. This is their place. We want them to stay and we need to act now.

I propose that we establish a post-graduate medical centre with its own dean so that it can start operating at once.

This post-graduate medical centre should be independent of the University and certainly independent of the present Medical Faculty at the University of Malta, which should remain responsible for undergraduate training.

I see a golden opportunity looming. As it so happens, representatives of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, who have a certain amount of expertise in this post-graduate training area, are visiting Malta this week. The RCSI are keen to start a graduate entry medical school in Malta as they have in three other countries.

I would add post-graduate training to the RCSI's undergraduate proposals and I am certain that the RCSI would be willing to share their expertise with us.

Please don't express surprise if you hear of determined opposition to my proposal. Expect this from those who see this as a threat to their comfortable lifestyles - or they see in these junior doctors tomorrow's competitors.

I see in these junior doctors tomorrow's consultants. Go for it minister. Many medical colleagues will support you. I certainly will.