Parliamentary committee needed

I refer to the Talking Point article by Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando MP (February 23). I fully agree with the concerns raised and the context of the said article. Finally, the Parliament is acknowledging that a "time bomb" is about to explode, and that a debate is urgently required before the problem gets out of hand.

The Maltese nation is at a crossroad. We shall be united around our shared values and move forward with a common purpose. So, let's take a stand and stop this regular influx immediately.

The total number of illegal immigrants that is known to have been brought ashore, about 12,000 - three per cent of the Maltese population - is tremendous and presents an alarming situation. No statistics that indicate a slight decline in the number of illegal immigrants brought ashore shall put our mind at rest and neither make us believe that this crucial issue is over and done. The truth is that, being a small island, Malta could soon lose its identity and one day the majority would become Muslim in Catholic Malta.

Our society is sending a clear message to both the government and the opposition - unite and act now in the interest of our nation before it is too late. Nobody has any right to preach and teach us on how we shall integrate with those illegal immigrants with whom we do not want to share values and whose culture and religion we are not accustomed to.

We must seriously look into the problem and learn from other countries - like Australia and Italy - where crime and violence have become the order of the day. Why we have to be prisoners in our own country because of illegal immigrants who are not welcomed at all?

Or be worrying about whether we are offending individuals or their culture? We must not be compelled to shape the future of our children simply to please the culture of illegal immigrants. Our focus should be on how to shape our own destiny ourselves and not let others forge our future.

This is not a matter of racial hatred, but the issue itself is posing a big threat to both our security and identity, and ultimately our economy. The Armed Forces and the Police Force are dedicating much of their resources and energy to this problematic issue. They must focus on our nation's security, drug trafficking, safety, illegal fireworks and on enforcement in general.

The international community should seriously address this issue and adhere to the burden sharing agreement. We would look forward to working with our neighbouring countries, particularly Italy and Libya and the EU Mediterranean countries to break up this tremendous wave of illegal immigrants and this racket of human traffickers that are exploiting and using illegal immigrants as a source of illegal enrichment, even though the agency Frontex has failed miserably in its mission and the talks with Libya were unfruitful.

However, this critical issue should be managed competently, capably and ethically both locally and within the EU fora.

The only solution to the problem is a "strong political will" - those illegal immigrants should be sent back into international waters in the direction they came from. Those that are detained should be gradually sent back to either their country where they can re-establish themselves or to other countries which are willing to accept them. Malta together with EU countries could help them shape their future in their own native country. Only then would Malta be relieved.

I solemnly urge the Parliament to appoint a parliamentary committee from both sides of the House, to outline a strategic plan and report to Parliament within a reasonable period of time. The committee must be fully committed to deliver. Then the government could start implementing those measures to ensure that illegal immigrants are taken back to their own country and halt the influx before the summer recess.