Social Policy Minister John Dalli has dubbed Mater Dei a "part-time hospital" and asked why consultants leave the building by 2 p.m.

In an interview with The Sunday Times, Mr Dalli also asks why just 13 out of 25 operating theatres are working in a hospital worth over €600 million.

"We've reached a situation where practically nothing is done at the hospital at weekends. Our methods today mean we have a part-time hospital. The hospital has to work fulltime."

The minister also says stories of patients having to wait years for an operation are unacceptable: "We're not producing spare parts. We're dealing with people's lives and health."

Mr Dalli also believes it is high time to start a discussion on divorce in Malta and he intends to make a formal proposal about the matter to the Prime Minister.

This is the first time a prominent Cabinet member of the Nationalist government has publicly spoken on the need to start discussing divorce.

Malta and the Philippines are the only countries in the world which outlaw divorce, though 115 Maltese nationals have been granted divorce by the courts of EU member states since 2004.

Mr Dalli said: "I think discussion on divorce should start, and it should be a serious debate, steering away from emotions. We should avoid discussing certain aspects, which should not get into the debate."