Communications Minister Austin Gatt on Tuesday sought to set the record straight on EU funds and the project for the renewal of ID cards, saying that a question by MEP Edward Scicluna in the European Parliament had been badly put.

Answering questions by Labour MPs Gino Cauchi and Leo Brincat, Dr Gatt said it was true that the government had not requested EU funds for the renewal of ID cards. What the government had requested funds for was the development of an electronic project which would enable the renewal process, among other objectives. EU funding for the project was indeed in place, the contract had been awarded to De La Rue and the project would be under way next month. The electronic project’s development would be completed by summer 2011, and thereafter the Electoral Commission would be able to take in hand the renewal of ID cards.

To a comment by Mr Cauchi, Dr Gatt also pointed out that at no point did the Electoral Law specify the use of ID cards for the holding of elections.

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