Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said this morning that he was committing himself to eventually get to a genuine decision on divorce but this had to follow an open and mature debate. He said that it was the electorate who should decide on the issue.
Reiterating his position against, the Prime Minister said he wanted to listen to those who were in favour but he also expected them to be willing to listen to him.
The issue, Dr Gonzi said, was a serious one because it affected marriage and the family which was the most precious thing of humanity.
“I rebel within myself when I see people who want to cut corners on such a matter,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that although he would not accept a guillotine on the divorce debate, the issue could not be thrown under the carpet and an open and mature discussion was important.
This was an issue of conscience and to ensure that the best decisions for the common good were taken, a debate has to take place.
Such a discussion was currently taking place within the Nationalist Party and also at a national level.
Dr Gonzi, said that the current MPs did not have a mandate to take a decision on such a matter so the debate was even more important. However, there was a bill on Parliament’s agenda which had to be addressed at some point.
The debate in Parliament should follow that in the country when MPs would have the chance to express themselves.
“We will then see what the next step should be,” he said.
Dr Gonzi insisted that to stop the discussion currently taking place would be a big mistake and the issue had to be tackled with profound consultation.
“We will not be deciding on divorce but on marriage and the family.
“So we have to let the debate mature and only then take our decision.
“My commitment is to take a decision but this decision has to be genuine and mature,” he said.
Asked about allegations that wages were to be reduced, Dr Gonzi said this similar to the allegation that payments were to be introduced for health services. Two and a half years had passed since the election and no such payment had been introduced.
The Prime Minister said that the forthcoming budget was to be a prudent one to continue strengthening the country's finances through efficiency and control on government expenditure.