UPDATE 2: Hearses Association calls off industrial action

E Caruana

Jul 17th 2008, 19:59

I agree with most of the comments written. I would like to draw the attention of tax payers like me, that the hearse drivers called their strike off since the government is giving them 230 thousand Euro (this you can read on another site). All that amount of money to be divided between 19 hearse drivers now. They got what they wanted. We see the prices of their services now! And in a delicate situation like the loss of a dear one, they will make advantage of the situation and empty your pockets without leting you realise it.

Those who would like to know what the Maltese Army was doing these past four days you better ask their relatives, their wives, husbands and children instead of trying to guess in vain about what they are supposed to do. They are the backbone of the police force but they only intervene when necessary, when they are ordered to do so since they obey their superiors. They can never strike for their own rights or to improve their salary so please be careful what to say about AFM employees because they are there to save your ass when you need them.

A.Gauci Cunningham

Jul 17th 2008, 18:52

Roderick Aguis---The Prime Minister was doing the job of a PM and representing our country in the creation of the New Med. Union.....surely you were not expecting the whole continent to come to a stanstill because a few of these hooligans decided to show their abilities in crime and ignorance.............

Manuel Micallef---the solution was undoubtedly the last resort and it was called ---throwing a bit of our hard earned money in the drain------but surely you're not expecting the govt. to come up with "starter packs" and "benefits" for people to leave their Union everytime the same Union blackmails with stoppages and violence .............with hindsight kulhadd bravu..........did you or anyone know that these people would have created all this niusance. up to last sunday.....????.

Mario debono------araaa!!! So the poor, souls........ the little , small fries on whom the govt. "trampled" have all of a sudden become "despicable....self-serving...backstabbers.." because they've condemned the violence of those who want to disrupt the country for their own "unknown" agenda...................My my some people's mask falls off as soon as the sun rises...........

charles marsh

Jul 17th 2008, 16:56

From what I heard the govt gave the hearse owners over €200,000 to stop the strike and sign the agreement. Now common sense says that if this is true, this is no win for the government but they bought them out. What if the bus, mini bus and taxi owners ask for the same treatment that will be millions euros from our taxis. If this is true, Is it a victory for the govt or is it another kawlata?

J. Martinelli

Jul 17th 2008, 15:58

I now pray that the government will not give amnesty to these thugs and that the fines/penalties imposed on the Transport Federation will not be forgiven.

Since government subsidies have been stopped and since several organizations are suing the Transport Federation and claiming damages, I would imagine that if the Courts find for the plaintiffs, the Transport Federation will have no option but to declare bankruptcy.

No Federation - no protection for the thugs. They will be out the money lost during their illegal strike. Looks good on them!

Time for the thugs to realize that their own Federation has entrapped them and when they eventually go back to work, Spiteri & Co and the Federation will be totally impotent.

This is a golden opportunity to dictate not mediate. To mandate change not compromise. To get a new system not a patched up agreement. Time for law enforcement, not complacency.

Mark Vella

Jul 17th 2008, 15:47

Rebublique de Banana de Malte.........this is the way to work harder for more tourists. Make them wait, walk and sweat ! Next year my foreign guests are going to Cyprus.

Kenneth Zammit Tabona

Jul 17th 2008, 15:31

Will someone explain why the situation has not yet normalised? The hearses have backed down and the buses are still on strike when the hoohah was all about hearses not buses????? I am mighty confused!

Jean Paul Fiott

Jul 17th 2008, 15:21

It seems that we have endured 4 days of anarchy and violence in vain. The Government has lost and the hearse thugs have won €230,000 from our taxes for enduring a 3-day strike.
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/press_releases/2008/07/pr1033.pdf

What is even worse, since the hearse thugs have resigned from the transport federation, they shall each pay an exit fee which has been reported to be in the region of €23,000. Therefore, the Government has almost directly contributed the sum of €230,000 to the Violence through Transport Federation as a thank you gesture for entertaining us with their fine skills for 4 consecutive days.

Marisa Attard

Jul 17th 2008, 14:58

Can we use the Park and Ride now?

David Muscat

Jul 17th 2008, 13:07

This is NO victory for the government despite that the monopoly theoretically has been removed. Analysing the agreement reached ones sees that the taxpayer funded subsidies for present day hearses' owners "to adjust to a liberalised market" will only serve to continue the monopoly in a different way. Will funeral costs go down? The answer is NO.

Moreover, bus, taxi, minibuses drivers despite their rudeness showed the goverment what could happen if he meddles in their sphere. At the end of the day, this is a phyrric victory for Austin Gatt. The real winners are the bus drivers.

Franco Farrugia

Jul 17th 2008, 10:40

'The association said it never agreed with any violence, on people and property. Nor had it ever wanted to harm the image of the country.'

'The country' finds that very hard to believe. You were the instigators, the ones who started it all!

Alex Ellul

Jul 17th 2008, 10:11

@ Albert Fenech: Your muddled comments show only one thing: that you were wishing that the Government capitulates, resigns-elections-end of GonziPN-MLP in Government... I think you have to wait a bit longer.

Renato J. Costigan

Jul 17th 2008, 10:08

In one of the news on a local TV, I heard Mr. Bugeja crying
(dmugh tal-kukkudrilli) about members of his mini-bus
union that are in jail (not granted bail). Why is he crying?
What he thinks that his members do what they have done
without the police taking action? There was a time Mr.
Bugeja when anarchy reigned and no one was arrested,
the police saying they have seen nothing.

I hope that the police will make further arrests of what had happened
yesterday. Mr. Bugeja and Mr. Spiteri are fully responsible for what
had happened on the past days. Witness of this is the press release
by the Hearses Association.

Messers Presidents of your unions if there was a doubt about your
associations, this came to light during the past days.

SHAME IN YOU BOTH PRESIDENTS

paolo darmanin

Jul 17th 2008, 10:07

the worst to come.......all of a sudden Hearses Ass. chickened out ......guess all Taxi and mini buses + buses have their word to say ! its like bribing a union shiop steward !! !

Malcolm Flinn

Jul 17th 2008, 10:00

It is good to see the first step is a victory for the government but the real job has only just started.......................Gonzi now has to do what the Nationalists have been AFRAID to do for so many years............become Margaret Thatcher and Crush the unions once and for all.This will not be popular but you have plenty time to recover!!!

mario debono

Jul 17th 2008, 09:35

Its good to see an end to this strike. Malta has suffered badly. But there is only one way to describe hearse owners. The buses and Taxis came out to support their cause, which was a lost one in any case. They are not gentlemen but despicable self serving backstabbers in my book.

F Spiteri

Jul 17th 2008, 09:35

Well done Austin Gatt ! Now lets hope the rest follow suit and stop disrupting the whole of Malta

Mart Harrs

Jul 17th 2008, 09:33

This strike is something out of the dark ages, getting rid of this monopoly is whats best for Malta and let more private companies in to create some competition, Don't these drivers relise that more competition will create better services and if these drivers are any good at their jobs they might get better paid jobs with the new companies, The goverment should tow all their vehicles and impound them

Mike Fenech

Jul 17th 2008, 09:29

@ Joseph Schembri
While I agree about the arrogant driving behaviours of taxi and bus drivers and their "contribution" to a polluted air, I think it is a very selfish and arrogant comment to say that one hopes they stay on strike. First of all an efficient public transport system benefits the country because it decreases the number of cars on our street for a less polluted air, and secondly a lot of people, especially elderly depend on public transport.

Mario gauci

Jul 17th 2008, 09:29

Well done Dr. Austin Gatt and let us not forget Dr. Mario DeMarco. I found Dr DeMarco's presence right at the very heart of things very effective and reassuring. A true chip of the old block one might say. Well done all concerned.

E. Azzopardi

Jul 17th 2008, 09:22

This is good. The strike was organised because of the same people who today backed out.
So this was all for nothing. Still, I reiterate, that all expenses the country suffered, till the last euro cent should be worked out and sent to the so called Association. If they have no money, they have to sell their buses and go to work and half the salary goes towards the expenses.
If this is not enough then they have to go on a diet. This will do them good as sooner or later they have to shed all that cholesterol in their bellies!!!!!!!!!!!

Clive Gerada

Jul 17th 2008, 09:16

To a certain extent I agree with Joseph Schembri

Adrian Pace

Jul 17th 2008, 09:16

In order to provide a better service to the public, white taxis should be the next move:

Liberalization allows price stability and affordability and gone will be those days when taking a cab will remain unaffordable. The white taxi service will become a wides[read use and this might also solve the traffic congestion in our major towns.

Laura Portelli

Jul 17th 2008, 09:16

to Joseph Schembri

Those of us who do not have a car or sometimes find it difficult to get a lift hope that bus drivers will call off the strike as well... you're saying so because most probably you go to work by car....

everyone else must call off this strike... it's useless.

Adrian Pace

Jul 17th 2008, 09:15

In order to provide a better service to the public, white taxis should be the next move:

Liberalization allows price stability and affordability and gone will be those days when taking a cab will remain unaffordable. The white taxi service will become a wides[read use and this might also solve the traffic congestion in our major towns.

A Farrugia

Jul 17th 2008, 09:07

dear emmy sorry to confront you but you got things wrong. It was the WHOLE Cabinet who decided things, Dr Gatt, being the Minsiter responsible took the bull by its horns and will see this matter through. There is no need for any other intervention be it by the PM or any other Minister. In fact the PS for Tourism was at the airport while that idiot of a taxi driver was shouting craziness against the Natiionalist Government. The whole of Malta saw them. So there is no chance of putting cracks through the whole cabinet. They were solidly behind the Minister Gatt whose portfolio includes transport. It is also thanks to the Maltese people nationalist and labour (not the transport ones) who stood four square with the Government and with the Minister for seeing this matter through. The worker has his rights but he has no right to use violence against other workers and the underprivileges such as sick persons and the dead, and that is where the red line is crossed. And it is no thanks to the GWU who tried its best to incite these criminal self employed transport drivers.

valerie scicluna

Jul 17th 2008, 09:05

now that the hearse owners have accepted the govt. proposals what are the bus drivers' next move? remember they were out on strike in support of the hearse drivers that means their reason for striking is no more. I bet they will go on making fools of themselves because their real agenda was to disrupt the country.

Joseph Caruana

Jul 17th 2008, 09:05

liberalisation will all be futile if the investors find this as a risky investment. After seening this weeks images. Lets hope the waters calm down and other calls for reform go ahead

Manuel Micallef

Jul 17th 2008, 09:03

If it was so easy to find a solution, WHY was there the need for all this disturbance to take place (and related damages to the economy)?????

Could the government (who has the onus to carry out a better ecnonomy) not made this proposal before?!!!

I see some tired minds within PN.....

Pierre Agius

Jul 17th 2008, 08:56

Well done Minister Gatt - liberalisation but with due social attention has always been the best way foreward. APT has to pay for the damag caused though. Fight on - zero tollerance for bullying tactics. We owe it only to ourselves to have a clean, efficient and respectable public transport. What we are seeing on ur roads are nothing less than the dying scenes of a dynasour that has lived for far too long and that continues to keep our country from modernising. It had to happen someday and today is the day.

john fenech

Jul 17th 2008, 08:39

This was my comment on the 14/07:
And for God sake Mr Spiteri do not insult our intelligence; your intention was to create maximum exposure to your cause without any care in the world for the hardship caused to the Maltese public! It might be that your agenda supersede the economical state of those plying the ever after trade!
This is my correction today:
I think I should correct myself you never had an agenda those who are creating this chaos have the agenda and you are just a passenger. So now the crux of all this nonsense has been resolved. What is the excuse of your mentors to carry on? Obviously first and foremost it’s their pockets but are other interests involved?
By the way to the Hearse owner’s l hope you will have minimum trade in support for those who cherish to remain on this earth!

Alfred Muscat

Jul 17th 2008, 08:29

What a mess from people who should know better. Tourism is the bread and butter of tens of thousands on the island with themselves leading the pack. They chose to create havoc by terrorising and intimidating all in their path. They managed to turn public opinion totally against them, their cynical intention is to provoke the destabilization of a nation and thus put in jeopardy the livelihood and well being of the public in general. In short we are at the mercy of a few despotic people who, if left unchecked, will cause irreparable damage to the nation.
On the other hand we chose a government to lead us, to protectand ascertain peace of mind to all of us, to take and implement decisions especially when crisis looms. In this the administration is failing us whether it be illegal immigration, thugs dominating our streets etc. Responsibility rests with the government and opposition, which together should roll up their sleeves and redress the damage being caused to the nation. Up to now the majority still have faith in Lawrence Gonzi and welcome the style being adopted by Joseph Muscat, but even they have to stand up and be counted. Action please.

A Camilleri

Jul 17th 2008, 08:25

Now what Mr Spiteri? Even your own members are deserting your federation and renouncing your violent tactics.

Why don’t you call it a day and accept defeat.

Make yourself a favour and limit the amount of damages that you will have to shoulder.

Roderick Agius

Jul 17th 2008, 08:22

Prime Minister what? where was he? iddahkuniex!
Prosit for what? do you think its over? i think not?
the worse is yet to come, unfortunately!

richard paul agius

Jul 17th 2008, 08:18

"Public Transport Next' --- INDEED

Go For It Austin !

ALBERT FENECH

Jul 17th 2008, 08:11

So Emmanuel Caruana feels that Minister Austin Gatt has shown everybody that nobody is above the law. Indeed? I suggest he tell that to the Marines. If anything, the public has been shown that if you are violent enough and if you are obscene enough, you move to a status where you are above the law, where you can block streets, beat people, park around roundabouts, insult, intimidate and generally carry on just as you please with almost total impunity. I hardly feel that any congratulations are in order. The ultimate losers - as usual - are the thousands of peaceful Maltese citizens who would never dream of carrying out such actions, but should they ever transgress, and park wrongly, or insult somebody, they will surely be held accountable at law. How is that for democracy at work?

James Caruana

Jul 17th 2008, 08:09

I totally agree with Albert Fenech. Rather than patting Austin Gatt on the back for this pyrrhic victory, one should calculate the collateral damage which could have easily been avoided had the issue been tackled less arrogantly and more diplomatically by the government side in the first place.

Joe Galea

Jul 17th 2008, 08:07

So now why are the others still striking?

mario borg

Jul 17th 2008, 08:06

would be interesting to know what kind of 'technical and financial assistance' will be given to hearse association.

hope it's not the same 'solution' used for the last 2 decades - that is throwing more money (funded ultimately by the taxpayer ofcourse) at the problem without tackling the cause.

Antoine Farrugia

Jul 17th 2008, 07:59

Well done in standing up to those who tried to stop time and terrorise the country by their actions. The time for violence is over. My sympathies with those members of the Federation who had to join in the strike because of fear of reprisals from their thug colleagues. It is my hope and I think that of many, that those who are currently remanded in custody will get a prison sentence if found guilty for the offences related to these days' violence, and not be pardoned or let off lightly. This can be the start of a better public service please God. Prosit Minister Gatt and Prosit Prime Minister :-)

Joseph Stafrace

Jul 17th 2008, 07:58

Dr. Emmy Bezzina mentioned the Security Service. This department does not fit into the equation; this is purely a Police matter to handle. They have more important assignments to handle such as International terrorism, drug running human trafficiking etc. Others mentioned the use of the Army. It must be remembered that in a civil disturbance the army is the second line of defence and are only brought in when others fail. This is not Northern Irland! As for the police they are handling this delicate situation as professionaly as they can. I am sure that if the situation escalates further they would rise to the occassion. If anything this situation has nothing to do with cosmic concepts!!

Emmanuel Caruana

Jul 17th 2008, 07:56

Game Over Victor Spiteri and Klikka, one good advice pack and leave this Island for good and don't forget to take the Buses and Drivers with you. Now i hope that GLADIATOR AUSTIN GATT will give us a new service with new air-conditioned buses and new educated drivers.

J Micallef

Jul 17th 2008, 07:53

"....the agreement provides that the Transport Ministry will be helping the association to deal with liberalisation - in the same way as financial and technical assistance has been given to other sectors." sigh....
Lucky buggers. The sector I work in has been liberalised but no help has been forthcoming from the govt. Next time we'll take to the streets, wreak heavoc, and be rewarded!!!
Our only consolation is that following all this, the public transport would someday (very soon) be tackled properly and start to offer a service that's deserved by the Maltese and our visitors.\
Cannot comprehend why in such a tiny island it is so damn difficult to make somehting work efficiently and effectively. Perhaps, someday, we would really start to enjoy our bus ride to work....

james debono

Jul 17th 2008, 07:41

I hope the agreement , including the financial obligations untertaken by the state, is published in full immediately for the sake of transperancy.

Pierre Portelli

Jul 17th 2008, 07:40

This is indeed welcome good news. But I hope this does not mean, that we the law abiding tax payers & citizens, now simply have to forgive & forget all that has occurred in the last 3 days and the damage done to our tourism industry and country's reputation. Let us all hope that normality be restored as quickly as possible. But the people demand and expect that all these thugs are brought to answer and aay for each and every law they have broken and threat to the public or journalists they utterred. We cannot simply let them get away with it.

Joe Borg

Jul 17th 2008, 07:40

Clowns. Malta Wins.

Law Attard Bezzina

Jul 17th 2008, 07:29

So now let's tackle "Public" Transport...

ALBERT FENECH

Jul 17th 2008, 07:29

Thank God the farce appears to be over. Now we can move to the next farcical episode that underscores the soap opera that our lilliput islands have become. However, repurcussions are expected and questions still need to be asked. Undoubtedly, the Government offered to foot the hefty fine that the hearse owners needed to pay to pull out of the Transport Association. Why didn't the Government divide and rule right from the very start? Why did they allow this mess to fester for three days? Now, the other Association members (buses, taxis, mini vans) have been left red-faced and totally exposed to ridicule because as "sympathy" partners, they have been setting the agenda, an agenda that will now dissipate into vapours of anger. In its wake, this farce will leave deeply angered Association members, a bitter public and economists who will be kept busy working out the enormous economic losses this country has suffered in three days. The public will be left to wonder on how the country would cope under the current administration if there were to be a real emergency. Brand Malta indeed. What an all-round debacle!

Joseph Schembri

Jul 17th 2008, 07:11

I hope the buses, mini-buses, and taxis stay on strike. The roads have improved without buses belching out black-smog while travelling at 20km/h, mini buses crushing their way arrogantly through traffic, and ignorant taxi drivers thinking they are F1 drivers on our narrow and winding roads.

This strike has proved just how useless public transport in Malta is. Where it not for the violence and the illegal blockages of public ammenities nobody would have felt any difference in their way of life.

Emmanuel Caruana

Jul 17th 2008, 07:09

Congratulations and well done to Minister Austin Gatt you showed everyone that there is nothing and no one above the Law. Regarding our Security Forces they left very much to be desired especially from Top Brass orders and arrival were always late, TIME FOR CHANGES PLEASE.

therese vella

Jul 17th 2008, 06:55

Now that the strike has been called off, i still find it difficult to have any respect for the drivers. It's difficult to forget what inconvenience they have caused me and my family, and how i had to postpone doctor's appointments simply because i couldn't travel to my destination or because the roads were jammed. While driving I gave as many lifts as i possibly could, especially to tourists, but my heart cringes at stories reported in the media about how tourists were left waiting at the airport. Why did the fragile tourist industry have to pay for the hearse-driver's arrogance?

Lawrence Camilleri

Jul 17th 2008, 06:52

To err is human to persist is diabolic. The Hearse Owners realized they were erring and turned their back on who was leading them in error. That is gentlemanly conduct. It's up to the others persisting in error to have the courage to emulate the Hearse Owner's example. But still they (their Federation) need to pay for their actions to those who suffered hardship and damages. With the violent and criminal ones let justice take its full course - no leniency because the situation is back to normal. They personally and not the federation acted criminally like they did. Hope tourism does not need the hearses.

mario degiorgio

Jul 17th 2008, 06:35

Three cheers for Austin ! Hip hip hurray. . .

TONY FORMOSA

Jul 17th 2008, 06:20

Glory be! It's amazing that the Hearse Association and the rest did not realise that they had embarked on a lost battle. The disgusting entertainment which was provided during the last three days is expected to be toned down.
AUSTIN GATT backed by all citizens of goodwill came out with flying colours.
Malta does not deserve unnecessary theatricals in the heat of summer!
The reality of liberisation and the end of monopolies should be accepted by everyone. One hopes that there will not be a repeat come September.
TONY FORMOSA

TONY FORMOSA

R Caruana

Jul 17th 2008, 06:15

Great. The moral of the story is that whilst the Transport Federation called a sympathy strike for the hearses; the bus drivers, taxis and mini-buses lost their revenue and the Maltese society and Tourists were held hostage for three flippin days. In the meantime the revenue for hease owners was being stored in fridges at Mater Dei. And now that the court has thrown out their request and the new hearse licences can be issued, they decide to chicken out of the strike and out of the Federation. Go figure !!!

R Busuttil

Jul 17th 2008, 01:19

Austin Gatt - I hope you will now ensure that any person caught on tape causing riot will have his licenses revoked. i.e. NOT ALLOWED TO DRIVE BUSES, COACHES, MINI VANS AND HEARSES and most of all cannot own or operate any of the above mentioned vehicles which can be used for transportation of the general public. These punks should understand that we are no longer a Banana Republic and if they choose to break the law and behave like BUSHMEN that they will have to forfeit their previous luxuries!

J Martinelli

Jul 17th 2008, 01:16

Round one over and the public won.
Now on to the rest of the transportation system and liberalize everything from buses to taxis and get the taxis to abide by a fixed fare decided by a working meter!
There is enough work to go around for double the number of taxis and if the charges were fair the public would use them more often.
Buses should be up to standard and the old wrecks retired and scrapped. Why would a passenger be charged the same riding on an old relic as he would riding a decent vehicle? Why are there no regular scheduled inspections for mechanical problems as well as general upkeep?
Bus owners/operators have to remember that one half of the population travels abroad each year and they can make comparisons. Bus service throughout Europe and North America is exemplary - good buses (one rarely sees breakdowns), comfort is excellent, fares are reasonable and one never hears a bus driver shout/swear/smoke or using his cell phone while driving. Blaring music is also a no-no.
Get some real professionals to operate a new system with new rules, new equipment and above all with new ATTITUDE ! Thanks Austin!

denis Catania

Jul 17th 2008, 01:08

Hearse Association should have done this Monday afternoon, after seeing our PM office attacked. Better late than never. To the Bus and Taxi operators even your friend can't stand the way you handled this demonstration. The arrests should still continue.

A.Bonavia

Jul 17th 2008, 00:57

Both Austin Gatt and Lawrence Gonzi are satisfied that common sense prevailed. That is exactly what Joseph Muscat called for way back before the protests actually commenced..

Martin Farrugia

Jul 17th 2008, 00:54

Prosit Austin Gatt u Lawrence Gonzi, u stmerrija fuq Victor Spiteri u fuq il-banda ta' madwaru.

Well Done Austin Gatt and Lawrence Gonzi and shame on Victor Spiteri and his band.

L Vella

Jul 17th 2008, 00:46

GAME OVER MR. SPITERI or getting ready for more KOs ?

Andrew Borg-Cardona

Jul 17th 2008, 00:31

Who said the chaos is over? Hope it is, but at 12:30 am on Thursday, I find it difficult to believe that the thugs that crawled out of the woodwork over the last couple of days gave a toss about the hearse owners. It's significant that the hearse owners have said they will withdraw from the Malta Transport Association and that they condemn the violence.

Joe Gatt

Jul 17th 2008, 00:28

Well done Prime Minister and Minister Gatt.

I've been very critical of the government on other issues, especially illegal immigration, but I think that the transport strike has been handled well so far. The government has avoided unnecessary confrontation in the face of strong provocation, while steadily wearing down the strikers.

I think that the strike is beginning to collapse. Many taxi drivers are working and the original cause of the strike has now been resolved.

I hope, however, that those strikers who broke the law and have been arrested will now suffer the full consequences of their actions. To let them go unpunished would be a serious error.

wally vella-zarb

Jul 17th 2008, 00:20

Congratulations to Minister Gatt on holding firmly against violence and attempted anarchy by a group of misguided cowboys, from the majority of the Maltese Nation - including, it seems, all nine members of Alpha. (or was it eleven?) :-)

Jean Paul Galea

Jul 16th 2008, 23:58

AT last some good sense.... couldn't all this have hppened before and maybe cut down the thousands of euro losses we now have to pay out of our taxes

Neville Bezzina

Jul 16th 2008, 23:56

I'm glad that finally the chaos on our roads will be halted; strikes are obviously important for workers to voice their concerns, and help in reaching better solutions for all parties involved. Will all public transport sectors (including coaches and buses) now stop their protests and strikes?

Tony Caruana

Jul 16th 2008, 23:52

GOOD ONE !!! What now Mel Gibson ta Malta ?

Dr.Emmy Bezzina,LL.D.,Dip.S.Th.,B.A.

Jul 16th 2008, 23:50

Being tough when the going gets tough, bearing in mind a democratic,civilized perspective will always reap good results. Alpha congratulates personally Minister Gatt for he was the one Cabinet Personality that well and truly stood out in this tussle for Democracy which regrettably is not yet over.But there are METRIC TONS of Lessons to be learnt,among them: why did our Security Services did not prepare the Government for this or is our Secret Service so damned ill-coordinated that simply they did not scent this coming - in which case we must ovverhaul; why did it take three days for our Security Forces to get mobilised - Justice & Home Affairs Ministries do not dovetail in such situations - classical example in Guido de Marco`s time;why were not the People prepared for Liberalisation adequately and for the new concepts of Liberal Democracy; why are not we stressing enough that the time for Monopolies is OVER in EVERYTHING from Spiritual Matters to Cosmic Concepts: this is a Free Liberal Democratic Country.Finally it is important that those who wrought havoc in our Country be brought to Justice & Licences revoked.A New Chapter begins - Austin Gatt:Well Done.Emmy.