Update 2: Finance Minister's trip was lack of good judgment - PL leader
(Adds Finance Ministry's statement and PL's reply)
The acceptance by the Finance Ministers to go on football trip on a private jet with two businessmen was clearly a case of lack of good judgment, Labour Party leader Joseph Muscat said this morning.
Addressing supporters in Paola he said that if it was true that the minister, Tonio Fenech, had sought the Prime Minister's approval, the PM had also lacked good judgment.
The responsibility of this matter, Dr Muscat said, was the PM's. A few years ago he had investigated another of his ministers accused of buying air tickets from a particular agence and made him resign. But he was now defending Mr Fenech.
So one could not help but suspect that Dr Gonzi did not act according to principle but according to who was involved.
Dr Muscat said that other questions arose on how Mr Fenech acted in other matters. The country still had to see what would be done about the corruption at the VAT Department. He believed, Dr Muscat said, that only the small fry had as yet been caught.
Dr Muscat reiterated his party's offer to help the government as necessary to protect ST. He said that although 18 months had passed since that offer was made, the government had not yet given the PL any reply.
Dr Muscat said he was repeating his appeal and if the government was not interested in the PL's help, it should take a look at the interests of tax payers but also the national interest, the economy, workers and their families.
Anything that could be done for this crucial investment had to be done, he said.
But in a statement, the Finance Ministry said the Labour leader was irresponsible to make jobs, including those at ST, the subject of a partisan debate at a political club at a time of economic and financial crisis. The Opposition Leader's speech, he said, hindered the national and workers' interests and endangered jobs.
The government had quietly worked to protect jobs and saved 2,500 by offering companies long term assistance and getting them to retain workers while investing more in the country. This was the its committment.
The government also used taxes wisely to increase investment for more employment opportunities to be created. It invited the opposition to be part of this policy of safeguarding jobs and said that as it had already done on other sectors, it was willing to give the opposition a presentation on the initiatives taken to safeguard jobs.
Replying to the Finance Ministry the PL said Dr Muscat's appeal on ST was apolitical and aimed at safeguarding jobs.
31 Comments
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joseph galea
Oct 20th 2009, 12:12
'Much ado about nothing' the great writer scribed.
I am no fan of Dr. Fenech.
He has miscalculated his actions and let his fervent support for Arsenal and giving a particular opportunity to his son overwhelm his better judgement.
Had the intentions been grey I am sure different circumstances would have been planned.
The man is still worth his mettle and this episode should be have a lid put upon it.
Let the first man who is pure of sin throw the first stone.
He has a tough job ahead of him. Let us let him do it with peace of mind.
We have more important and urgent matters to tend to.
Better the devil we know, still a devil but........................!
joe the plumber
Joe E galea
Oct 19th 2009, 14:14
@F Psaila: you are looking at the Power Station issue on the short term not long term. Also you are not looking at it holistically. 1. In 7years time we have to change to a gas powered Power Station which will cost us more than 20million, if I am not mistaken. This pollutes less and therefore no need of countering for the side-effects. 2. The BWSC Power Station works on heavy fuels and therefore is susceptible to the international price of oil. So if it goes up, then the prices will go up. Secondly, it produces so much toxic waste that the government has to invest in hi-tec systems to get rid of this waste in an acceptable manner. Thirdly, this system is a contributor to more pollution which will harm more the health of the citiziens, thus putting a heavier burden on the Health system, therefore more taxes have to be introduced to make up for these side-effects. 3. The financial situation in this country has been brought about by the continuous bad decisions that have taken place under PN administrations.
Mario Genovese
Oct 19th 2009, 08:42
Maltese is our native language and we are all proud of this!!!!!
Roger Carabott
Oct 18th 2009, 23:55
@ Mr Borg : Coming from a maltese person, this disgusts me! How can you not tolerate your own language? You are maltese whether you like it or not and your mother language is maltese, if you feel ashamed to speak maltese then you have no sense of national pride!
David Gatt
Oct 18th 2009, 23:09
@Frank Psaila TAF MIN HUWA SUPERFICJAli ? Min jkun ta' fehma laburista bil-miftuh u imbaghad ghax ikun jaqbel lilu, idawwar il-partit, minkejja li ma jhaddanx l-istess valuri tieghu.
Franco Farrugia
Oct 18th 2009, 22:02
@ Mr Borg: You claim it is rude to write in Maltese in this commentary? I disagree with you. YOu will be pushing our language back into our kitchens next! How disgusting, coming from a Maltese person.
@ Frank Psaila - Taf min jien, Frank. Ahna mhux mid-diskorsi zbaljati jew mhumiex tal-Mexxej tal-PL naghtu kaz. Ahna naghtu kaz tal-problemi li hemm fil-Gvern. Ahna naghtu kaz tal-Problema Fenech/Gonzi. ahna naghtu kaz tal-fatt li t-tmexxija ghaddejja b'arroganza u nuqqas ta' avvicinanza lejn in-nies. Dan huwa l-crux tal-problema! Il-bqija huwa 'smokescreen'!
Galea. L
Oct 18th 2009, 21:20
Frank Psaila
U kemm se tigi tiswa l-kimika li trid tntuza kuljum u kemm se tigi tiswa biex nehilsu mit-tunellati ta' trab li se jkollan kulljum barra l-mard li se jkompli jizdied minhabba t-tniggiz li jaghmel il-Heavy Fuel Oil?
t abela X'tistenna minn pinnuri?
claire farrugia
Good comment
MBorg
I wrote comments on Italian and French newspapers and they didn't say I should have written in Italian or French. The put my comments on line and no reader ever complained.
Joe Cassar
Oct 18th 2009, 20:31
@ Mr R Spiteri and Mr D Buttigieg
There is no comparison between the case of Minister Tonio Fenech and the Dubai non-story.
In the first case, we have a businessman offering valuable freebies (which were accepted) to a minister who was about to take important decisions which would effect that same businessman.
In the other case we have a political delegation which invited some businessmen (not the other way around) to accompany it, at their own expense, so that they could make contacts which would, hopefully, lead to orders and contracts which would be of benefit to them, their employees and the Maltese economy.
Surely, that is obvious
MBorg
Oct 18th 2009, 18:54
@ claire farrugia
Maltese and English are official languages in Malta, howerver this does not make the Times of Malta a Maltese language newspaper. It is rude, to say the least, to have three or four paragraphs at a go in Maltese.
Not only Maltese people read the Times and it is not fair on non Maltese readers if they can't follow what is written.
Kevin Willie
Oct 18th 2009, 18:37
@ Frank Psaila-Taf tghidilna xi kemm kien zdied l-izbilanc fix xhur ta qabel l-ahhar elezzjoni ladarba ghandek din l informazzjoni kollha?
@ Mike Seychell-How can a demonstation on a Sunday afternoon turn investors away? Don't you watch Italian news?? They hold demonstrations for everything....Or it's irresponsible to hold demonstrations only when we have a PN govt?? You know what might turn investors away??? Another Malta file advising foreigners not to invest in Malta.
claire farrugia
Oct 18th 2009, 17:32
@MBorg
Maltese and English are official languages in Malta and people have the right to write in Maltese as well if they feel they can express themselves better in Maltese...why negate your mother tongue????
Malcolm Seychell
Oct 18th 2009, 17:14
'Donnu nesa l PL meta tellaw kuntratturi barra minn Malta meta kienet se tigi smart city'
As long as Tonio Fenech didn't pay the trip from our taxes there is nothing wrong.
I am more worried by one or 2 ministers who are not delivering, rather then Tonio Fenech.
Tonio Fenech must be given some credit
The world just passed from one of its worst recession and the damage we suffered was quite minimal compared with other countries
Obviously there is always room for improvement but to create an issue from a flight, I see it as very immature
Joseph Cauchi
Oct 18th 2009, 17:05
I concur 100% with Mr. M. Borg.
This is an English comments column and thus it should remain.
JC.
Salvu Calleja
Oct 18th 2009, 17:02
I wonder who has really endangered jobs, because as far as I know the first BIG SLAM to ST came with the introduction of the EURO apart the direct competition from the EAST,also certain statements made by a certain minister regarding manufacture future here in Malta did not help either in the public view.Another thing is, that of those 2500 jobs mentioned by the minister I believe that none of them are of ST employees since the company is undergoing a restructuring program by reducing massively its workforce and the true situation of ST will be seen next JANUARY.When I was young I was taught that (@MBorg) "TRID TKUN SUPPERV BIEX WIEHED ITIK L-ID TAL HBIBERIJA U MA TACCETAX", also to all PN apologists "TWO WRONG DOES NOT MAKE ONE RIGHT"......
MBorg
Oct 18th 2009, 16:06
As far as I know this is an English news paper.. Why all this comments in Maltese.? I have nothing against Maltese, but ii certainly has no place in an English newspaper.
simon amato
Oct 18th 2009, 15:57
SUR PSAILA, GHAX MA GHEDTILNIEX LI SA 7 SNIN OHRA XORTA RRIDU NAQILBU GHAS SISTEMA TAL GAS??. IGIFIERI LI JRID IL PL HU PROPJAMENT DAK LI TRID LI JSIR L UNJONI EWROPEA!!.NAHSEB AHJAR TWIEGEB LILL MP DR FRANCO DEBONO. ALLURA DR DEBONO MHUX KREDIBBLI UKOLL?? META NSIR MAZZUN TBELLALI KOLLOX SUR PSAILA BIR RISPETT KOLLU TA\!
Stephen Farrugia ( Rightwing)
Oct 18th 2009, 15:46
@ FRANK PSAILA
Lets hope you will answer my arguements about illegal immigration.
Stephen Farrugia
Nationalist majority against illegal immigration.
J. Borg
Oct 18th 2009, 15:42
Mr. Psaila,
what is the PN waiting to introduce the much warranted Transparent Party Financing?
why are you still solicting and accepting funds from businessmen behind everybody's back?
why are such businessmen "investing" in such "donations" to both political parties?
tonio fenech....is just the tip of the iceberg!
t abela
Oct 18th 2009, 15:27
@mike seychell
it tlett punti jikkorfermaw biss kemm intom l-apologisti tal pn taqu fl livell tar ragunar daqshekk infantili. ghan bhalikieku hawn xi haga aktar prezzjuza mill st. 60% tal exports mike qed nitkellmu.
good show joseph,
Frank Psaila
Oct 18th 2009, 15:20
Joseph Muscat ghal darb’ohra rega ghamel argument li jiffavorixxi kuntratt ghall-estensjoni tal-Power Station li jgholli t-tariffi tad-dawl, indipendentament mill-impatt internazzjonali tal-prezz taz-zejt.
Kemm jiġi jiswa kull unit ta’ elettriku għall-konsumatur:
BWSC (kumpanija li ntghazlet) 12.467 €c kull unit
MAN 13.696 €c kull unit
Bateman (li jrid il-Partit Laburista) 16.823 €c kull unit
Joseph Muscat, bhal mexxej ta’ qablu qieghed jitratta l-impjiegi tal-haddiema bl-aktar irresponsabbli. Kull nhar ta’ Hadd qieghed isemmi setturi differenti ta’ haddiema, preciz kif kien jaghmel il-mexxej ta’ qablu u preciz kif hu kien jirraporta f’servizzi fuq il-media laburista.
Fejn hi l-vizjoni?
Frank Psaila
Ufficcju Informazzjoni, Partit Nazzjonalista
Frank Psaila
Oct 18th 2009, 15:18
Part 2:
Fil-qasam tas-sahha qed isiru medja ta’ 100 operazzjoni kuljum u din is-sena l-Gvern zied il-fondi biex jinxtraw aktar medicini u jsiru aktar operazzjonijiet. Minkejja li ma kienx previst il-Gvern qed johrog ukoll 4 miljun ewro kontra l-influwenza H1 N1. Din iz-zieda wkoll ikkontribwixxiet ghall-izbilanc.
Aktar zghazagh u studenti f’pajjizna qed ikomplu bl-istudji taghhom. Gvern Nazzjonalista qed jinvesti aktar fl-MCAST, fil-Junior College, fl-Universita’, fl-ITS u fl-iskola Sekondarja Giovanni Curmi. Dan qed iwassal ghal zieda fl-istudenti. 15,000 student u studenta qed igawdu mill-istipendju.
Bil-poter f’idejh Gvern Laburista kien baghat lill-istudenti jiddejnu minkejja li kien wieghed li mhux se jmiss l-istipendju. Dakinhar Joseph Muscat kien hareg ifahhar il-budget tal-ex ministru Leo Brincat u tal-ex ministru Evarist Bartolo, li t-tnejn ghadhom deputati.
Illum Joseph Muscat iddawwar b’konsulenti li huma kontra l-istipendju u jaghtu parir biex dan jitnaqqas jew jitnehha.
Frank Psaila
Oct 18th 2009, 15:16
Part 1:
Id-diskors tal-mexxej laburista Joseph Muscat hu konferma tas-superficjalita’ u ta’ Kap tal-Oppozizzjoni li jipprova jghawweg il-fatti. Diskors bla ideat.
Bil-kontra ta’ dak li qal il-Kap tal-Oppozizzjoni, l-izbilanc f’pajjizna zdied ghaliex il-Gvern ghazel li jipprotegi l-impjiegi u jghin lill-industrija. Din l-ghajnuna kienet f’intervent dirett ma’ kumpaniji li kienu ghaddejjin minn diffikultajiet u b’hekk gew salvati 2,500 impjieg.
Joseph Muscat ghawweg il-fatti anki dwar it-turizmu. Il-Gvern qieghed jghin aktar l-industrija tat-turizmu b’aktar fondi. Ghal din is-sena l-Gvern zied il-fondi li jintuzaw biex jigi reklamat pajjizna barra minn Malta u f’nofs is-sena rega zied il-fondi ghat-turizmu. B’rizultat taz-zieda fil-fondi, hargu wkoll diversi skemi biex jghinu lill-lukandiera u restorantiera. B’zieda fil-fondi ghat-turizmu, il-Gvern ikun qed jghin l-impjiegi f’din l-industrija.
Il-Gvern zied ukoll il-fondi biex isiru aktar progetti f’pajjizna u b’hekk jinholoq aktar xoghol ghall-haddiema.
Kemm l-Unjoni Ewropea kif ukoll il-Fond Monetarju Internazzjonali fahhru dak li ghamlet Malta biex tistimula l-ekonomija fi zmien ta’ krizi ekonomika u finanzjarja dinjija.
Joseph Muscat ma qalx il-verita’ anki dwar il-beneficcji socjali. Gvern immexxi mill-Partit Nazzjonalista zied il-beneficcji socjali. Fl-ewwel sitt xhur ta’ din is-sena l-Gvern ta 354 miljun ewro f’beneficcji socjali – zieda ta’ 22 miljun fuq l-istess perjodu tas-sena li ghaddiet.
Robert Zerafa
Oct 18th 2009, 15:16
I tend to agree with Joseph Musct.
Tonio Fenech's attitude lacked 'thought', I honestly believe it was an "immediate decision", in the sense "gieh cans u hadu bla ma qaghad joghomodha wisq".
It was not wise and he was criticised, fair enough. But I think the story should end here
I dont expect an apology - if he really believed he did not do anything wrong, to apologise would smell hypocritical.
Tonio Fenech's judgement here wasnt as ideal as his statements on the economic crisis. Do you remember how people criticised him that he was being too positive on the crisis? Today it is obvious that it is also part to the positivism that our economy fared much, much better than many EU counterparts.
Tonio Fenech, haqqek tbezibza zghira, imma issa kompli ahdem u gib ir-rizultati fl-ekonomija, investiment u xoghol li ga ksibt fl-ewwel ftit xhur tieghek ta' Ministru.
Michael Seychell
Oct 18th 2009, 15:13
Three comments:
1 Joe Muscat has a short memory because he knows that apart from the air tickets issue there were also a court case where a private investigator made serious allegations on the than Minister of Finance. Once this case proved otherwise J. Dalli became a Minister again Furthermore J oe Muscat was a journalist at the time and he should remember also the continueous attaks on Minister Dalli by his leader and his party..
2 Why is Joe Muscat offering help only on ST when there were/are so many other companies in difficulty including ex Malta Rubber. Is Joe Muscat trying to make another M/LP fortress of ST now that his party lost the Drydocks fortress. In any case can Joe Muscat say what kind of help or suggestions he made to save ST, or is this another gimmick.
3 If J. Muscat does not want to see more unemployment, why is he taking his supporters to the Streets. He knows that such demonstrations may give the impression of political unrest in Malta, and this may turn investors away .
The three points confirm the HIPOCRACY of th Malta Labour Party under Dr. Joe Muscat.
Michael Seychell
Tal-Pieta
Alex Saliba
Oct 18th 2009, 14:05
Gonzi is clearly loosing control. Joseph is eagerly trying to write a new page in Maltese political history by trying to work hand in hand with the government for the best interests of all the Maltese citizens.
On the other hand we have Prime Minister fighting to keep control within his fragmented party!!
Agius Joseph
Oct 18th 2009, 13:36
Joseph Muscat is an honorable man so I have no doubt he would also say that when Mintoff used to go for summer holidays with Marsovin businessmen on their yachts he too 'lacked good judgment'!
Leonard Brincat
Oct 18th 2009, 13:01
Inthom tal PL Ma tifmux.Dak mar maghhom ghax flimkien kollox possibli.
A. Mizzi
Oct 18th 2009, 12:24
Lack of good judgment was mostly forthcoming from Dr. Gonzi who semed to find no objection for Dr. Fenech to go on this pleasure trip.
And do other Nationalist MPs seek Dr. Gonzi's approval to go on their pleasure trips?
R Spiteri
Oct 18th 2009, 12:24
Dr Muscat, can you spell a word about the business people and your MPs that went to Smart City Dubai 2 years ago? Was that a lack of good judgement?
Dr Muscat, can you list the business people who travelled for free to Brussels with you when you were an MEP? Was that a lack of good judgement?
Dr Muscat, can you list the business people that last month went to Brusssels on a free air ticket provided by MLP MEPs? Is that a lack of good judgement?
D Buttigieg
Oct 18th 2009, 12:17
And what, a whole Labour delegation going to Dubai with businessmen is good judgement Mr Muscat ? Maybe it was a bad decision, granted, but dragging this episode all this time is a waste of your voters' time and that of Parliament.
Henry Jacobs
Oct 18th 2009, 12:14
Who has commercial interest to attack Tonio Fenech. Who's interests are being safeguarded here?