Updated: Time for Malta to seriously tackle immigration problem - PL leader

(Adds Finance Ministry and PN reactions)

It was time for the Maltese to show their mettle in the immigration problem, for which a strategy was required since it could not be tackled on a day to day basis, Labour leader Joseph Muscat said this morning.

Addressing supporters in Msida, he referred to the diplomatic dispute between Malta and Italy on which country should take immigrants saved at sea close to Lampedusa but in Malta's search and rescue area.

Dr Muscat said the government was spineless and did not know what to do in a crisis. But the national interest called on the government to put Malta before anything else.

Dr Gonzi had said that the issue had been settled because he had discussed the matter with his Italian counterpart Silvio Berlusconi last week but the Maltese Prime Minister had fallen into Italy's trap, Dr Muscat said.

A few days ago Italy refused 66 migrants saved close to Lampedusa by a Maltese army patrol boat.

It was time for the Maltese to show they would not allow anyone to take them for a ride, he insisted.

In a statement, the Nationalist Party accused Dr Muscat of not supporting the country and the government's strong position on the issue.

While in Malta Dr Muscat spoke about vetoes, Labour MEPs used a different language, abstained and did not agree among themselves, the PN said.

It said that instead of offering support, the Labour leader was being partisan placing partisan politics before the national interest.

Earlier, Dr Muscat spoke about the corruption cases at the VAT Department and asked who would carry the administrative and political responsibility.

The money, he said, could have been used towards reducing hospital waiting lists and combatting the cost of living.

Prices in Malta were rising and it was time to again set up the committee which had overseen the country's migration from the lira to the euro to see whether the increases were justified.

The abuse, the Labour leader pointed out, was not being carried out by shop owner but from further up the chain.

In a statement, the Finance Ministry said it was irresponsible of the Labour leader to speak on the alleged VAT corruption cases when these were still being investigated by the police.

The government did not tolerate abuse and asked the police to investigate and take all the necessary action. It expected everyone's cooperation.

The opposition's decision to make a political issue out of this investigation went against the national interest as all unnecessary talk at this point hindered investigations, the ministry said.