PM: EU allocating funds for gas pipeline to Malta
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said this evening that the European Commission has made a proposal to allocate funds for Malta in the 2014 Budget for a gas pipeline to Malta following a request by the government.
Dr Gonzi said when speaking in parliament that the government had not closed the door to any proposals on power generation, including a natural gas link with Europe along with the interconnector. Neither had it ignored the proposals by a Norwegian investor who proposed a floating power station using a oil, coal and biomass solution, although viable proposals in this case had not been presented.
Dr Gonzi said the government was taking tough decisions in difficult circumstances, but the opposition was ignoring such realities.
The Opposition, he said, was building illusions but refusing to go into specifics, such as whether it would continue to narrow the deficit and reduce the debt, and how it would do so.
Speaking in Parliament during the Budget debate, Dr Gonzi said the government, through the Budget, wanted to convey the message that with seriousness and wisdom, this country could weather the storm raging all around it. That was what it had always done, including when its democracy was threatened.
The financial crisis had brought major institutions and countries to their knees. The Maltese government had intervened financially to help companies which were in danger of resorting to major layoffs, and as a result, they had not only retained their workers, but they recruited more and increased their investment.
Alas, the party which used to claim to be the workers' party was ignoring this reality, in the same way as it was ignoring employment.
The Labour opposition spoke of wisdom, but it painted everything black and discouraged the people. What wisdom was this when one ignored the economic gains made by the country amid a sea of troubles?
How could the opposition give guarantees when it was dependant on matters which were outside its control?
The international financial crisis had entered a dangerous phase, based on mistrust in the financial systems of various countries which was forcing governments to collapse under market pressures.
For Malta, the situation was compounded by the uprisings in North Africa, which put Malta's very reputation at stake while posing huge risks for the Maltese economy. Many Maltese lost their jobs, investments or markets in Libya. The cost ran into millions of euro. The tourism industry had faced a major risk because of the proximity of the fighting.
And then, last Monday, Opposition leader Joseph Muscat acted like all this had never happened.
Every honest economic analysis had to be seen against this background. And the record was one which made the government proud.
OIL PRICES
Dr Gonzi noted that oil prices had risen from €12 per barrel at the time of the last Labour government to almost €150 at one time. It was now between €90 and €100. The fluctuating situation made hedging and futures difficult. The government had drawn up a long-term plan based on difficult decisions, including the commitment to help those households and businesses who were prepared to invest in alternative energy. This was ignored by Dr Muscat. At one time he suggested taxation on the basis of the polluter pays principle, then he said he would reduce tariffs for all, including those who were not deserving or such reductions.
This government over the past months also intervened to save Air Malta, reform the bus service to give the people a modern system accessible to all.
All these were difficult decisions taken against the background of a financial crisis. Air Malta and the bus service reform were still works in progress.
Dr Gonzi said that the leader of the opposition had accused the government of injustices. In that context what was stopping the PL from returning the properties taken from their owners for used as Labour Party clubs?
Labour, Dr Gonzi said, wanted the people to forget its most recent past, like how a Labour government had frozen Malta's EU application and how Joseph Muscat had campaigned forcefully against accession. Labour had claimed Malta would only get €1m from the EU, and that Malta was but a small fish.
There was consensus now on the EU, but Labour had not changed its strategy. It was still bent on discouraging the people and sowing doubt.
He wanted to be clear to the people, Dr Gonzi said. Next year would be a tough year. The storm was getting worse. But he did not want the people to be discouraged. Despite the difficult times so far, the country had achieved good results this year and the people therefore should still be confident.
MUSCAT'S 51 POINTS
Dr Gonzi said that last Monday, Dr Muscat claimed to have made 51 proposals, but those were soundbites which lacked substance. He had not given costings. He had not said how the proposals would be implemented. Half of the proposals were simply declarations of good intentions. 14 were already being implemented.
HONORARIA
As for the honoraria, Dr Muscat had ignored the fact that the auditor said that nothing wrong was done. Dr Muscat had said he would push the clock back, form a committee, and then push the clock forward again, Dr Gonzi said.
The honoraria issue could have been handled better, Dr Gonzi admitted. But what had been justly given to backbenchers should apply to everyone, including the ministers.
Dr Gonzi said the leader of the Opposition spoke according to what suited him. Last year he challenged the government by making comparisons with Cyprus. This year he did not, because Malta had performed better than Cyprus in all sectors, although he wished that country well, Dr Gonzi said.
Dr Muscat said nothing of how, in Malta, the number of gainfully occupied in the year since June had increased by 3,112 and the number of unemployed was down to 6,212. He said nothing of the increasing number of women in employment, the sharp rise in both full time and part-time work. Salaries were also rising constantly. The number of redundancies had dropped sharply and this year reached 1,254.
These were successes whose significance was bigger when one considered the international situation and the jobs lost because of the Libyan crisis.
But Dr Muscat was hiding these results because he wanted to discourage the people, despite saying otherwise.
Dr Gonzi said he could not understand Opposition criticism of capital projects. This was the sort of criticism first heard about Mater Dei Hospital. Such projects improved living standards and provided jobs for hundreds of workers employed directly or indirectly on time.
This government was bringing about a leap of quality because mediocrity was unacceptable. In this context, Dr Gonzi said he wanted to again record the success achieved in tourism, which was this year expected to reach a record of 1.4 million arrivals along with a record in bed nights and tourist spending. This was the result of spending of millions of euro which were saved from other sectors for investment in the tourist product, accessibility and promotion.
On Monday, Dr Muscat made a fictitious exercise to claim that promises had not been kept. This was nothing but superficiality, Dr Gonzi said. He then went on to explain that works were not started and completed in a year, and Dr Muscat's remarks only revealed falsity.
'NO REPLIES' FROM JOSEPH MUSCAT
Dr Gonzi said he regretted that Dr Muscat had ignored the 10 questions he asked him last Sunday. Those were questions linked to the Budget and the country's difficult economic choices, not least those on energy.
Dr Gonzi said he wanted to ask again, what would Dr Muscat change in the country's economic strategy? Last Monday he did not say whether he would stick to current financial targets aimed at reducing the deficit to zero. Next year the budget would be reduced to 2.3 per cent, followed by a further decrease to 1.8% in the following year. People knew where they stood with this government, but what about Labour?
It was easy to promise everything to everyone, but there would be consequences if the deficit was allowed to balloon, undermining financial stability. Was this another exercise like that in 1996 when Labour promised to remove VAT without having an effective replacement?
Dr Muscat had not said how he would reduce the deficit and the public debt because his only purpose was to build an illusion.
For the government, Dr Gonzi said, reducing the debt was a priority and it would continue to insist that borrowing should remain local and borrowing should only be made for productive investment. One only needed to remember that €1 billion of current debt was solely the result of the dockyard.
Dr Muscat had sought to worry the people by highlighting debt servicing costs, ignoring the fact that the government revenue was of over €8m every day, Dr Gonzi said. This was a government which invested €1m a day on health, among other sectors.
AIR MALTA
Dr Gonzi said the Opposition leader was ignoring the new realities faced by Air Malta which demanded new solutions for the airline.
Dr Gonzi said it appeared that progress was being made for a lasting solution for the airline. The workers' agreement on the rescue package was an important step which would open opportunities for the airline.
The government and the airline had offered a package to ensure the least impact for workers who had to leave the airline. The Budget projections showed that Air Malta had to pay back its €52m loan next year, because this was required by EU rules. The government was allocating €20m for the airline, but it would give far more over the years in terms of the rescue plan being discussed with the European Union and which would be revealed in the coming weeks and months.
Dr Gonzi asked how Dr Muscat intended to shift taxation on the basis of the polluter pays principles. Which sectors would be affected?
POWER TARIFFS
By how much did Labour intend to reduce the power tariffs once he claimed to have solutions? Clearly, Dr Muscat, Dr Muscat could not give answers to the illusions he was creating. He was being irresponsible because he knew well enough that he had no control on world oil prices.
Would Dr Muscat reduce power tariffs for everyone even as oil prices rose?
Dr Muscat should reveal whom he had met on proposed alternatives on power generation. He should declare what solutions had been suggested to him, and how he had replied. Once he was so sure, why not publish the studies which, one assumed, had been given to him.
If Dr Muscat was referring to Sargas, Dr Gonzi said he met a delegation once some months ago. They had proposed a project using EU funds and basing their project on a biopaste solution - oil, coal and biomass. This was to have been a floating power station. This, Dr Gonzi said was not a renewable energy system but an elaborate system which would collect emissions and them dispose of them in what was an experimental system.
Some months after he had met this company's delegation, important aspects of this proposed project had to be changed because of the developments in Libya since this project was linked with an option in Libya.
Dr Gonzi said he had invited the delegation to submit technical details to Malta's engineers, but since then had not been given a viable solution, including the risks of having a power station floating on water.
The government, he said, was aiming for flexibility including the interconnector and other forms of power generation.
Dr Gonzi said the government was considering a natural gas pipeline infrastructure and had submitted a request to the EU for funding. The EU had in reply proposed funds in its Budget for this purpose, which would link Malta to the European gas network.
Dr Gonzi repeated the other questions he asked Dr Muscat last Sunday and said the people still expected replies.
In the last part of his speech, Dr Gonzi underlined measures announced in the Budget speech a week ago, including credit and guarantee schemes for small businesses and increased investment on education to match demand from investors including those in aircraft maintenance and pharmaceuticals.
Dr Gonzi said it was hoped that the government would soon be in a position to announce another initiative with regard to the aircraft maintenance park.
The Bio-Malta campus, Dr Gonzi said, would offer new opportunities for Malta in research and innovation. So too would be the new investment in digital gaming. All this, he said, was the result of the emphasis on education placed by the government - which had seen the number of graduands rise 10 fold since 1987, apart from those studying in Mcast.
Dr Gonzi also underscored incentives for the restoration of village cores and referred to the VAT 'amnesty' insisting that this is an amnesty on penalties for those who settle arrears. Overdue amounts had to be paid back in full.
The government, he said, was also reintroducing the car scrappage scheme.
In the agriculture sector, the government was working on a new scheme to help farmers and fishermen over fuel costs.
An important initiative, he said, was the tax cut for parents, which would be better explained in the coming weeks, dispelling doubts which Dr Muscat sought to instil.
The government was also raising children's allowance and was giving greater assistance to parents of children who sent their children to independent schools.
In the health sector, the government was building a new cancer hospital, giving more free medicines and making progress in some areas with regard to waiting lists. After cataracts, the focus now was on hip-replacement operations.
In terms of this Budget, those aged over 80 who did not live in Homes for the Elderly would receive an allowance while more investment would be made in Homes for the Elderly.
The government was extended maternity leave, as from January 1, with talks on implementation due in the MCESD.
Concluding, Dr Gonzi said the government had managed to guide Malta through difficult times. The results were excellent, but the road ahead remained tough. The guiding value for the government was its confidence in the people. It was proud of the people. One did not change course for political opportunism. Stability was key for this country and he was confident that the country would continue to move ahead, Dr Gonzi said.
PL REACTION
In a reaction, the Labour Party said the prime minister was asking questions and the PL was giving solutions.
It said Dr Gonzi had not offered solutions for the problems his government had brought about.
It reiterated that a Labour government would reduce power tariffs in a sustainable manner through a plan which has various possibilities that are being studied.
The PL said Dr Gonzi had lost another opportunity to give up the €500 pay rise.
In his speech, it noted, Dr Gonzi never once mentioned SmartCity and did not explain how no jobs had been created there.
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Joe Vella
Nov 24th 2011, 12:58
@ Brian GAtt
I am kidding no one, perhaps you are. While Moody downgraded Malta's credit rating, two other Agencies manly Standard and Poor and Fitch confirmed Malta's credit rating. One also have to mention that Moody's downgrading of Malta's credit rating was not based on Malta's economic performance; but was based on the ongoing turmoil in the EU and around the world would have on Malta in the coming months..
Aaron Cassar
Nov 24th 2011, 12:31
tisthajlu san gonzi miskien kollox tajjeb tieghu hux
Jonathan Caruana
Nov 24th 2011, 12:02
X`jistennew id-deputati ta` wara l-PM fir-ritratt li jhabbar xi zieda ohra li jistennew li jkompli jiehdu bhall-Ministri u bhalu imma baqghu b`xiber imnieher!!! Issa tiehdu ministeru ha tiehdu l-onorarja!! Araw lil shabkom jistaghnew!!!
Mark Galea
Nov 24th 2011, 11:01
Ghandna bzonn is-salvatur v2 biex isalvana minn dawn il-problemi kbar billi joffri soluzzjonijiet kbar ...
Joseph Borg
Nov 24th 2011, 10:16
Couple of questions:
Why are we considering gas AFTER we have spent money in a heavy fuel oil plant?
If the plant is eventually converted, will BWSC do the job? Is this a way so that they could make more money?
What is the story of Malta and the gas pipeline? Have we considered this before? Is the price of the pipeline more than, say, 5 years ago, and implying that we could have done this before, at a cheaper price and avoided heavy fuel oil? And finally would the government have reduced the emissions thresholds if we had the pipeline?
victor bonello
Nov 24th 2011, 12:18
well said Mr. Borg. The power station, another of Austin Gatts fiascos when bought it was already outdated. It will never work..or rather it will never be viable to operate it due to its emission problems.
again there no corruption could be proved, but something somewhere was not done properly.. same as the raise to the chosen inner circle.. and we pay..
I feel so angry to have been let down so many times by these people I beleived in..
john vella
Nov 24th 2011, 09:48
It was so irritating Hon. Prim Minister Dr. Gonzi, it seem that we all were missing something funny.
One of your back benchers during such an important moment in time and the during the prim minister prime time on television looked so out of touch and kept passing remarks and smiling. I said to myself does he know something that we don't know?
These things only happen in Malta.
James McIntosh
Nov 24th 2011, 09:40
The local infrstructure is still a National disgrace.
Roads impassable every time it rains and full of craters that would cause personal injury if stepped into. Mater Dei full to overflowing with people waiting on trolleys in corridors.
Transport in disarray, although this government has been forced to act on the back of anger from the public.
Power Generation still ad-hoc on a day to day basis, and the Maltese people accept this as "good governance" I think not..
No wonder Dr Gonzi is proud of his people, they will accept crumbs from the Parliamentary table while PN eats cake on their Government salaries.
Bring on change, it can not be any worse than we have now
Paul Giordimaina
Nov 24th 2011, 10:24
Mr James we still are waiting for the cake you promissed wgen you where in government.You remember ahleb Gus u still ghadna bla halib.Dan il gvern ghamel Malta gdida.
W Cassar
Nov 24th 2011, 11:14
Malta gdida ...with these roads and the road tax I pay .... ? lol
Jonathan Caruana
Nov 24th 2011, 12:03
MALTA MKISSRA MHUX GDIDA GHAX HLIEF TOROQ KWART JEW NOFS XOGHOL M`HAWNX. Imma kif tithaddtu bis-simpatija jahasra Sur Cassar! KULLIMKIEN IMKISSER> Mid-dehra ma tohrogx mid-dar Sur Cassar int!
W Cassar
Nov 24th 2011, 17:03
@Jonathan Caruana
You misunderstood my comment, I agree with you!
John Scerri
Nov 24th 2011, 09:35
Who will vote for me?
I will have but one major promise . Is any party up to it to promise this ? It is possible mind you.
For all those who invest in buying their own house as residence and are paying home loans to banks,
I would remove all accrued yearly paid up loans from taxable income .
Meaning in simple terms...While you still pay for your house you never pay income tax on your home loan.
This will help those seeking their future NEST to acquire more purchasing power , generate more business and regenerate the economy.
Conditions : Property must be solely for proper residential purposes .and is not restricted to first time buyers.but .....not a summer house or business. So one may move house and still qualify
How 's that for starters?
Vote now .
R. Gauci
Nov 24th 2011, 09:19
Gonzi anqas kien jaf x'qed jaqra, diskors ippreparat min haddiehor u beda jitfixkel fih hu stess ahseb w'ara ahna. Minbarra li ma smajna xejn gdid u nnovattiv, dejjem l-istess, ftahir ghax bnejna 2 skejjel u gibna ftit flus mill-UE.
Brian Gatt
Nov 24th 2011, 09:13
@ Matthew P Zammit & Joe Vella,
Matthew wrote "On one side you've got a government that has slipped a little bit through this legislation although he still managed to go through huge economic crisis and carry out aids for people in Libya"
Slipped a Little..... you must be kidding right, bahhh a little slip that is an understatement, a scandoulous power station contract.....and now we hear that had the contract been given to another company the utility bills would have been halved. So not only friends of friends made millions but we got screwed over since we could have saved on our utility bills. Smart City fiasco...by now they should have employed over 5000 people and Dr Gatt said its not the Govt's fault but the Mepa. Tha Arriva Saga no need to el;aborate its still fresh in everyone's memory.
Joe Vella wrote: "Gonzi and the PN Government is offering Leadership witnessed by results achieved to date and not by cheap rhetoric"
This is the Joke of the Century, So good are the results obtained that Moody downgraded us and we have been warned by the EU to improve our financial situation.
Come on who do you want to kid? you think that people here will believe you PN lackeys? This time nothing your propoganda machine can do to turn around the dire situation your Party put us through ......
A. Mizzi
Nov 24th 2011, 09:08
Zidiet fl-mpjiegi mal-privat!
Transport Malta, MEPA, Enemalta, Aworitajiet, ghadhom kunsidrati bhala Entitajiet Governativi jew ikkunsidrati bhala "PRIVAT" ?
Matthew P. Zammit
Nov 24th 2011, 08:45
On one side you've got a government that has slipped a little bit through this legislation although he still managed to go through huge economic crisis and carry out aids for people in Libya.
On the other you've got a man dreaming and hoping that he could change this country in a blink of an eye...but he is always hoping and dreaming about the methods to the solutions...
These are not times of dreaming and hoping, it's time for immediate, strong actions that this government is tackling as time goes on despite certain mistakes.
It's a matter of 'Better the devil you know...'
A. Mizzi
Nov 24th 2011, 09:15
Slipped a "little" ?
He is the huge economic CRISIS! Look at what happened to the country's finances and assets... sold off in sunny weather without any clouds or storms looming over the horrizon!
Yes " the Devil we know " with solutions to the economic crisis like changing the light bulbs at his Offices in Kastilja.... and bragging about it!
pat muscat
Nov 24th 2011, 08:43
Innotajtu bhali kemm kien hemm MPs Nazzjonalisti assenti fl-ispeech suppost importanti ta Gonzi? Jekk anqas jaghtu kaz l-Mps tieghu , ahseb u ara kemm se jaghtu kaz il-poplu hemm barra. Il-bierah ipprova ikun serju minghajr tejatrini u barzelletti, imma xorta zelaq fin-niexef; hlief fuq tal-passat-dak li gara 30 u ghoxrin sena ilu bil-verzjoni partigjana tieghu, ma smajnix! Ahjar qal dak id-diskors minn kazin Nazzjonalista ta kull nhar ta Hadd, milli hela il-hin ta mijiet ta Maltin li riedu soluzzjonijiet ghal kawlata li sajjar hu u shabu!
Christopher Debattista
Nov 24th 2011, 09:49
Ghandek ragun Pat. Mhux talli hekk, dawn xorta jithalsu minn butna, anka jekk ma jitfaccawx ! Cool and relax . U viva z-zieda ta 500 eu fil-gimgha !!
Anthony Pace
Nov 24th 2011, 08:29
If oil prices have risen from $12 to around $100 per barrell then the salaries should also have risen x 10 times to compensate for the cost of keeping our homes warm, lit up and for the necessary upkeep of our homes.
Instead in about 20 years in power salaries have just doubled. People can see that and are not blind. Yet ministers have given themselves a pay increase of over 50% in the last three years!!!. we deserve better when PM you said that we would be getting Eurpean salaries not just the taxes.
julian falzon
Nov 24th 2011, 10:45
Do you propose that Malta invade Saudi Arabia and Venezuela on two different fronts so as to get oil for a better price? The price of oil is not determined by the government but by international oil prices (which are very high worldwide). True, taxes raise the local price of oil but considering the dire straits the rest of Southern Europe is in (Spain 24% unemployment, Italy 9%, Greece 19%), VAT hikes in Ireland, riots all over the place, I think we are not doing too bad. Let's try and be positive.
Joe Vella
Nov 24th 2011, 08:29
Gonzi and the PN Government is offering Leadership witnessed by results achieved to date and not by cheap rhetoric that we are now accustomed to hear from the self proclaimed Economist leader of the PL. All one can do is to look just beyond our shores to discover the world realities. But then the Gloom and Doom crown cannot see beyond their noses.
A. Mizzi
Nov 24th 2011, 08:23
EU allocating funds for gas pipeline to Malta - Good for Malta!
And we sure have Gas to export .... after hearing the Prime Minister's speech yesterday!
Joe Vella
Nov 24th 2011, 09:10
A.Mizzi, no we don't have Gas to export. But certainly we need to import GAs so that the new power station can be converted to as it is planned and, to provide cheaper gas to \Maltese households. Hopefully, one day, Gas distribution as we know it today will be history. Gas would be delivered to homes as electricity and water is delivered today as it is done in many countries..
Charles Micallef
Nov 24th 2011, 08:20
PM: EU allocating funds for gas pipeline to Malta.........payment.on the drip Prime Minister???,
No wonder you campare Malta to Greece, Ireland, Spain and Italy as that is the way we are heading!!
Joe Vella
Nov 24th 2011, 08:41
Charles, Gonzi never compared Malta with any country. Leadership dictates different. It was Joseph Muscat that always wanted to compare Malta with some other Country. The latest was Cyprus. Thanks to wise decision taken by the Gonzi Government Malta, economically is outperforming Cyprus and are not in the same predicament that the other countries you mentioned where faced with or are facing at the moment.
Joe Vella
Nov 24th 2011, 08:18
@ V Mercieca,
Can you tell us all where from the millions of Euros would have come from to save the thousands of jobs and help industries, not only to stay in Malta but to invest even more and creating more jobs during these turbulent times?
Mr John Montague
Nov 24th 2011, 08:17
"On 11 October 2011, a Ukrainian court sentenced Tymoshenko (Ukraine's ex-Prime Minister) to seven years in prison after she was found guilty of abuse of office when brokering the 2009 gas deal with Russia."
Building a gas pipeline implies that someone has to fill it at the other end.
Any brains out there?
Noel Damato
Nov 24th 2011, 08:17
What was the reason why GonziPN hid the Sagas proposal to the nation. Did he forgot that he himself had put away such proposal.One can observe that Gonzi had difficulty in answering back for PL leader's speech. I think our PM is tired and out dated now.
John Scerri
Nov 24th 2011, 07:40
MOST repeated Budget Buzz words and phrases for this year:
GHAQAL............
...................Gvern Immexxi Minni....
.................Mhux ta b'xejn ....Lil PM hadd ma jemmnu.
................Middle Class.
................irahhas il - kontijiet tad dawl u ilma.
Keep them in mind for future use !!!!!
Lawrence Fenech
Nov 24th 2011, 08:16
@Scerri.
Also we have to keep in mind the promises made prior to the last election and not kept and top of the list the Euro 500 per week from 2008 for the clique and the half baked theatre and the valletta entrance mess and Arriva flop.
A. Mizzi
Nov 24th 2011, 08:26
Ghaqal...
seemed to only have been discovered recently by dr. Gonzi & Co..... JUST WHEN THE EU Commission repremanded his administration to control his deficit, his budget, his multi-vision!
Yes GHAQAL , certainly a NEW buzz word for Gonzi & Co.!
adrian dimech
Nov 24th 2011, 07:17
mhux aqli li jinbidel il-gvern f'dawn iz - zminijiet ma tixtax tibda tesperimenta f'dawn ic-cirkustanzi ta madwarna , ghalmenu issa nafu fix ahna, bl-esperimenti xi spluzzjoni tista tghanmel.
Ad
John Scerri
Nov 24th 2011, 07:16
When comparing both speeches ...........
One is about a vision and it stops there................
The other is about transforming the vision into reality but does not stop there.
Malta L-Ewwel u Qabel Kollox.
tony abela
Nov 24th 2011, 07:05
Comparing the two speeches by the PM and the Leader of the Opposition one tends to get confused. Dr Muscat speech was one that normally hear from the Leader of the Nation, full of zeal, energy and and looking in the future with hope and will. While Dr Gonzi's speech was a speech which quotes the past rather than looking at the future with a sense of leadership.
B Grech
Nov 24th 2011, 06:35
Can someone give me the link to the 51 proposals that PL made on the times, I m having trouble finding them?
H. Psaila
Nov 24th 2011, 09:10
You will not find them, the 51 proposals they are stating are only - GVERN GDID IMEXXI MINNHI, repeated for 51times.
V Mercieca
Nov 24th 2011, 06:05
Dear Prime Minister, remember before the election you promised us tax cuts from 35% to 25%. This was within your power to do so without any foreign happenings influencing the position.
This tax deduction could have had a ripple effect as it would have placed more money in the pockets of the families and with that money they would have bought more. This means that businesses would have made more profits for you to collect income tax and VAT.
I would like to hear you answer the many questions put to your government in the past before I hear what both you and Dr Muscat have in store for us for the next general election.
G Tonna
Nov 24th 2011, 05:16
Malta is blessed with more financial and technical assistance but also energy support and cooperation from the European Union.
Lest we forget or take it foregranted. Investment in Malta's infrastructure and economy has shot up dramatically during the past 5 years thanks to the wise guidance of the Nationaist party in Government and its foresight in becoming EU members.
The only times before this when such a massive investment took place by any single foreign institution was at the times of the Knights.
Saviour Cachia
Nov 24th 2011, 01:28
Nice reading this mixed reaction on the speech of the Prime Minister Hon. Lawrence Gonzi. But the main reaction i am looking very forward to see is that in 2013 when the people of Malta and Gozo would be called to cast their vote in the General Elections. Then we would know who is the most creditable person and the one that won the trust of the electorate to lead Malta from 2013 to 2018. In the meantime we have to be patience and endure all these bla bla bla, perhaps from both leaders of the major parties in what I should admit is a very rough sea. Malta first and foremost please. That's what interest me.
Mario Grima
Nov 24th 2011, 01:07
Dr. Gonzi, anything you say is taken with a pinch of salt because you are no longer credible. You will be remembered as the Prime Minister under whose tenure:-
- divorce was introduced
- W & E bills reached astronomical heights
- the PN backbenchers had their own vision and say
- shady contracts were awarded to blue eyed boys
- rewarded himself and his cabinet a hefty €500 weekly payrise and keeping it under wraps
- the transport system in Malta was thrown back a 100 years
- the EU suspended its funds in connection with student education programmes
- Projects remained unfinished or not initiated, like Smart City, White rocks, Cirkewwa terminal etc...
- Promises of income tax cuts not executed
- risk of poverty has increased
- showed lack of leadership and inability to control his own members
- disappointed a lot of PN sympathisers
- taken the hunters and trappers for a ride
- created an atmosphere of uncertainess and gloom
- the cost of living has duplicated and purchasing power reduced to to 2004 levels
That's really a nice certificate to present to the electorate . Shame on you
Paul Giordimaina
Nov 24th 2011, 10:35
Shame was the 80s time,if you lived that time you wouldent say these words.At least now you are free to say what you want thanks to the PN.
Hossam Helwani
Nov 24th 2011, 00:45
Prime Minister Gonzi is as dynamic as ever. He is a true statesman and he has shown how a country should be governed. Well Done Mr Prime Minister.
W Cassar
Nov 24th 2011, 08:56
Dynamic? Cough Cough Cough .... about as dynamic as Divorce!
Joe Grech
Nov 24th 2011, 00:37
This Prime Minister no longer convinces many people - myself included.
One needs to be really cheeky and arrogant to keep insisting that in the famous (or rather infamous) honoraria issue ''nothing wrong was done''!
How can we take this man seriously?
Angus Black
Nov 24th 2011, 00:09
Joseph, you don't answer the PM's questions by changing subjects. Be a man and answer them one by one. It's not only because the PM asked them, it's because the public wants clear answers.
You mention SmartCity. The very fact that the buildings are under construction, that translates into jobs for local workers. The world recession and the economic and banking collapses all around us and which the Labour Party refuses to acknowledge, have slowed down more projects than SmartCity, both locally, around the EU and the world. It is for this reason that Joseph is simply not credible. To acknowledge a problem and strive to overcome it is a virtue. To refuse to acknowledge a problem or worse, sweep it under the proverbial carpet, is devious.
Joseph had various opportunities to prove that his Party has changed for the better but has consistently failed miserably and instead shows signs that his Party is returning to the 70s and 80s.
Mario J Spiteri
Nov 24th 2011, 00:06
Hekk hu "kemm hu sabieh li tkun nazzjonalist" bhal meta taqla zieda ta 500 Ewro fil-gimgha biex imbaghad tmur torqod il-parlament. Tkun sabieh ukoll meta tiftahar li ser isir investiment "smart city" u ser johloq 5600 impjieg gdid u wara li ma tnehhietx pompa jew x'inhi spiccajna li m'hemmx garanzija li joholqu impjieg wiehed. Imbierek Alla anki biex saret estensjoni tal-power station giet maghzula l-aghar wahda hux On PM, barra li b'kumbinazzjoni l-kuntrattur gie misjub minn fuq il-yellow pages qalulna. Bilhaqq inzerta li kien ukoll responsabbli mill-bini mill-gdid tad-dar centrali. Tkun sabieh nazzjonalist meta qabel l-elezzjoni tghidilna li l-Air Malta mhux ser jintilfu l-impjiegi, dan iffirmajtu int On PM u bghattulhom u issa trid tixkanahom il-barra biex issalva l-Air Malta. Bilhaqq gibtu CEO barrani biex ma qabbaddtux CUC Malti u jithallas belli finanzi! Ghidtilna wkoll li ser ikollna surplus mill-2010 fil-budget u spiccajna li bqajna bil-famuz deficit. Eh ghax kont ha ninsa li kkritikajt lil kap tal-opposizzjoni ghax ma semmiex kif ha jsolvih. Qum mir-raqda On PM, nhar it-tnejn qallek proposti imma int trid minna, tghaddas rasek fir-ramel u tibqa ghaddej. Insejt li int tlajt bl-ugigh tal-povru haddiem. Nerga nghidlek il-poter misluf ghandek!!! Imbierek Alla dejjem l-istess diska li z-zejt gholi u allura kellkhom tghollu l-kontijiet u qabbilt bil-GIDEB solitu taghkhom ghax ghalhekk sabieh li tkun nazzjonalist li Dr. Sant kien ghollihom fl-1997. Mhux veru kienu lahqu gholew. Tigdibx On PM izjed. Ghaz-zieda li hadtu mhux probl;ema imma! Ghax ma kellkhomx kuragg u fid-diskors tal-budget kontu tghidulna li tajtuna zieda ta 2.33 Ewro minflok 4.66 Ewro ghax ghollejtu l-bolla u hadtu nofs li tajtuna u bilhaqq fejn tridu ghadkhom tikkalkulaw bil-lira Maltija. U xi nghidu dwar ir-riforma tat-trasport pubbliku, ivvintajt task fortce biex kompliet tohloq problemi fit-toroq specjalment fil-ghodu. U XORTA GHADNA NDUMU NISTENNEW BIEX NIRKBU U ROTO LI MA JAGHMLUX SENS U TWAL WISQ! Tuna s-servizz bir-rotot li kellna ghax dawk kienu zgur On PM. INFAKKREK LI WZAJTI FLUSNA BIEX SARET IS-SUPPOST RIFORMA LI MA WASLET GHALXEJN HLIEF TGERGIR U STMERRIJA FILWAQT LI T-TRIPPLA T-TRAFFIKU!!!! QED TIKKONFERMALNA B'DIKORSOK STESS On PM LI M'INTIX TAGHTI KAS TAC-CITTADINI, M'INTIX TAL-AFFARI TIEGHEK LI THALLI MIN IKISSER U INT TAPPOGGJAH. U dwar l-isptar state of the art fejn ikollok bzonn taghmel operazzjoni tal-gebla u jghidule ejja fl-2013. Oh x'kull wahda nsejt li On Dr. Cassar qalilna li l-waiting lists jispiccaw meta tispicca d-dinja. INT ghidtilna On PM qabel l-elezzjoni li ser tispicca fl-2010. L-ID cards meta ha jitbiddlu? Ilkhom titmejjlu bina ghax hekk sabieh li tkun nazzjonalist!Jekk tikkritika il-vjolenza li saret fis-snin 80, illum int qed taghmel aghar min hekk ghax tghddi l-poplu b'mignun meta taf li niggieldu mal-kontijiet pagi u affarijiet necessarji tal-hajja ta kuljum u int tigi tghid li qeghedin tajjeb. ISTHI JEKK TAF! Il-pilloli kemm hemm minnhom li ilhom out of stock? Mela mhux ahna dawk inhallsu ghalihom, bhal poliklinici spiccajtu biex qridtuhom. Dak missek ghidt illum On PM kemm taghmlu arja bi flus il-poplu!
MALCOLM SEYCHELL
Nov 23rd 2011, 23:06
Gonzi ghandu ragun li Muscat ma jista jiggarantixxi xejn. pero lanqas hu. Ghax issa dittaturi ta Brussel irridu li jibdew jikkontrollaw huma xi jsir fil budget ta kull pajjiz.
Nicholas Grech
Nov 23rd 2011, 22:52
so half the speech is dedicated to attacking PL and the other half is filled with as many holes as possible, and no mention of Smart City or even the 500euro raise....seems like a speech Gonzi would give.
A Spiteri
Nov 23rd 2011, 22:38
What a great speech. Prosit Dr Gonzi
R Vassallo
Nov 23rd 2011, 22:23
Dr. Gonzi, I don't believe a word you say!
H. Psaila
Nov 24th 2011, 09:10
That is your problem not mine.
Joseph M. Grech.
Nov 23rd 2011, 22:02
For such a good job Dr Gonzi I am glad for the €500 honoraria received.
Good job good pay!
Keep up your "ghaqal ta' veru u sincier"
Malta was lucky to have you in government. The right man at the right time!
R. Gauci
Nov 23rd 2011, 22:00
Recycled speech ..... as usual.
m farrugia
Nov 23rd 2011, 21:57
'An important initiative, he said, was the tax cut for parents, which would be better explained in the coming weeks, dispelling doubts which Dr Muscat sought to instil.'
the same happened when govt had announced a one year tax free salary up to a maximum of Euro 2000 for mothers returning to work. And a good number of mothers took advantage of this measure in the last 3 years. Dr muscat , champion of the middle class( and also of the self employed, the poor, the workers...), please rest assured that this was no gimmick at all.
A Cachia
Nov 23rd 2011, 21:56
Prosit Dr . Gonzi u Prosit Dr. Muscat now get back to work and stop this bickering.
A Dimech
Nov 23rd 2011, 21:47
Gonzi asked 10 questions. I ask him one tonight;
If we are going to do a gas pipeline, then why did you build a new powerstation working with oil? you are not wasting money again, are you?!
Tony Agius
Nov 23rd 2011, 21:44
Proset u Grazzi Dr. Gonzi , Proset ta kif kxiftlu hafna mil qerq u paroli bladdocc tieghu lil Mr. Joseph poppa sidru , u kxiftlu kif hafna drabi xoghol li jkun sar jew qieghed isir ma jarahx , miskin ghadu zghir u diga ghandu din il problema , fost xi problemi ohra , bhal meta jghati pariri hzina , u meta jwieghed afarijiet li la jaqbel ghal pajjiz u lanqas ghal poplu , imma xorta jwieghed , li xorta jrid jghamel ta rasu , u jbghati kulhad . miskin Joseph , u miskin il poplu jekk jafdah.
pat muscat
Nov 23rd 2011, 21:25
Nothing can conceal the reality of forecasts missed by Gonzi (on deficits and debt) by an embarrassingly wide margin; Gonzi's rhetoric may have not changed but his circumstances have- a fact underlined by the absence of quite a number of his MPs , and by the grim expression on many faces behind him.
jesmond zammit
Nov 23rd 2011, 21:24
id differenza bejn joseph u gonzi cara , joseph fid difiza tan nies , u gonzi jiddefendi l shabu.
Marija Falzon
Nov 23rd 2011, 21:22
what an uninspiring speech.
lilly vella
Nov 23rd 2011, 21:22
hemm hafna xi tghid fuq id diskors tal pm , biss jekk nigbor kollhox f daqqa , nahseb kienet wahda mill ghar performances tal lawrence gonzi.
H. Psaila
Nov 24th 2011, 09:24
Taf idahhaq int hux? Nahseb smajt lill JM jghid 51 darba GVERN IMEXXI MINNHI, kienet qishu qieghed fuq diska imwehla.
Jonathan Caruana
Nov 23rd 2011, 21:20
Dr Gonzi is hallucinating or living in a dream. Have some respect. Pity him and don`t condemn him.
Matthew Tanti
Nov 23rd 2011, 21:16
Jien u naqra qed ninduna li hafna mill-kittieba hawnhekk li qed jiktbu favur il-PM u l-Budget tal-gvern jidru li qed isegwu bhal skema komuni "cautious, substance, focused, sensible". :) Mhux il-PM biss nieqes ,mill-ideat! :)
Jonathan Caruana
Nov 23rd 2011, 21:13
ZDIED IX_XOGHOL u bis-sahha tal-PN diga` npjegajna 5,000 persuna fi Smart City. Grieden jew nies?lol Illum ghadha GHOST CITY.
Naqsu s-sensji u l-haddiema tal-fabbriki li ghalqu minhabba xi mizuri li ha l-gvern, il-haddiema tal-Airmalta, tas-seaMaLTA, ix-xufiera tat-trasport pubbliku u tat-tarzna kollha zammew posthom jew m`humiex f`riskju li jitilfu l-impjieg taghhom. Hafna minnhom baghtilhom ittra qabel l-elezjoni biex jurihom li posthom hu garantit. Zammha kelmtu? Addio ittri u black on white. Kif tista` tafdah?
Brian Cassar
Nov 23rd 2011, 21:12
I just went through Joseph Muscat's list of 51 items... it's a useless exercise. Most of the points are either general policies like "Gvern li jkun safe ghall-business u negozju" or else are policies which are already in place.
Attn PL: Please tell us what you want to do if and when you're elected in Government. If you're not up to it just say so... we'll accept the fact without much consternation.
Peppi Gatt
Nov 23rd 2011, 21:12
Facli titkaza, tikritika u tipponta sibghajk ghax il-PL ma jizbaljax... bilhaqq ghax ma jaghmel xejn!!! ;)
Joe Vella
Nov 23rd 2011, 21:08
Il Maskra qarrieqa to Joseph Muscat tibqa ticcarrrat ftit ftit kull gurnata li taghdi.
Alfred Vassallo
Nov 24th 2011, 09:03
Taghkom illa li iccartett u inkixef sew il wicc ta Gonzilla saqsi lil poplu metal li ha biss 1.16 E u Gonzilla HATAF 500E ehhhhhhhh???????? plus ukoll l-4.66E tal Budget!! Le immissa macarticc il maskra taghkom.
Jonathan Caruana
Nov 23rd 2011, 21:08
Anki biex jaqra beda jlaqlaq, qisu l-ispeech li beda jaqra lanqas hu stess ma ried jemmnu!
H. Psaila
Nov 24th 2011, 09:13
Nahseb smajtu lill JM hux? ghaliex kien qishu qieghed jaghmel priedka tal-Milied.
Joseph Borg
Nov 23rd 2011, 21:06
"tough decisions in difficult circumstances". So let me explain:
Having my wife redundant from work and with no job opportunities, leaves me at a disadvantage as I cannot avail of the new tax bracket tariffs.
Giving me 4.66 Euros extra / week and taking 2.88 Euros in social contributions leaves me with some small change to get to work for a day with Arriva.
Not affording to buy a new car leaves me hanging around as my car has broken down.
Have you ever heard of poverty Dr. Gonzi? I can give quite a good example with real figures.
Was this a tough desision?
Martha Borg
Nov 23rd 2011, 21:06
I particularly liked Gonzi's focus on education and job creation. Well done.
Matthew Tanti
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:56
IL-PM mhux aktar kredibli. Hu u jaqra d-diskors li kitbulu jidher car li qed isib diffikulta' biex jemmen dak li qed jaqra.
Aaron Vella
Nov 23rd 2011, 21:12
Have a break Matthew. Jew ma hadx pjacir bil-figuri tajbin li beda juri Dr.Gonzi? Ma ntikx tort tibza minnu u l-hin kollu tikritikah u ssemmi l-hazin biss ghax dak li joffri il-One TV. Nissugerilek, tohrog iktar mid-dar u tara iktar ahbarijiet, issa affari tieghek jekk trid tibqa temmen li dan hu pajjiz tat-tielet dinja. Il-poplu Malti, l-ghazla ghaqlija mhux issa jaghmilha, fl-elezzjoni. TIbdewx toghlew min issa ghax tiehdu tisbita kbira, you know maghrufin ghalihom. Illum, il-PM ta tama lil poplu Malti u orieh bil-fatti li Joseph Muscat ibezza lin-nies ghal voti qieghed u mhu jaghti xejn ta sustanza lil pajjiz hlief tgergir u tmaqdir tas-soltu Labour. And then you come, jidher li waqajt ghan nassa int. Imwerwer li ha nfallu. Taf meta infallu? Meta jitla l-"ekonomista" [sic] fil-gvern.
Aaron Vella
Nov 23rd 2011, 21:12
Have a break Matthew. Jew ma hadx pjacir bil-figuri tajbin li beda juri Dr.Gonzi? Ma ntikx tort tibza minnu u l-hin kollu tikritikah u ssemmi l-hazin biss ghax dak li joffri il-One TV. Nissugerilek, tohrog iktar mid-dar u tara iktar ahbarijiet, issa affari tieghek jekk trid tibqa temmen li dan hu pajjiz tat-tielet dinja. Il-poplu Malti, l-ghazla ghaqlija mhux issa jaghmilha, fl-elezzjoni. TIbdewx toghlew min issa ghax tiehdu tisbita kbira, you know maghrufin ghalihom. Illum, il-PM ta tama lil poplu Malti u orieh bil-fatti li Joseph Muscat ibezza lin-nies ghal voti qieghed u mhu jaghti xejn ta sustanza lil pajjiz hlief tgergir u tmaqdir tas-soltu Labour. And then you come, jidher li waqajt ghan nassa int. Imwerwer li ha nfallu. Taf meta infallu? Meta jitla l-"ekonomista" [sic] fil-gvern.
Mr Joe Micallef
Nov 23rd 2011, 21:38
Jew qieghed taqra wisq comics jew qieghed tara wisq One
Kleaven Maniscalco
Nov 23rd 2011, 23:34
With all due respect, could you please think before writing such comments. It would be more intelligent if you analysed well what every politician said and judge him in an unbiased fashion. Allow me to say that managing a country like Malta is no easy task for any party in government. I would like to point out to you that although it is very democratic to critisize policies, the fact that alot of the Maltese lived a good life during the last 40 years or so was because all governments of different eras did something good. Let me note to you that Malta is not Germany or America. Malta is a resourceless country, which ought to be poor, and believe me the fact that we are competing with the most powerful countries and the fact that we are even considered by these countries requires alot of effort. In fact Malta ought to be much poorer than libja or nigeria, but I do not think you are living like one....this means something my friend. I am living in London, and I can assure you that it is far from perfect. People here protest every week...violently....the taxes they pay here are overwhelming and the payroll does not make justice for it. I am surrounded with greeks here. They cannot go back to their country because they have no future there, even though they naturally wish to do so. So please when commenting...think...the fact that you are living a relatively easy life compared to these people is because there is someone called government that is making it possible.
Andre Cilia
Nov 24th 2011, 06:32
L-aqwa li taht Gvern immexxi minni kollox isir kredibli bhal tal-kontijiet tad-dawl
Mr M Spiteri
Nov 24th 2011, 06:49
mhux talli ma kienx kredibli imma beda jikkontradixxi lilu imniefsu
Mr Steve Cassar
Nov 24th 2011, 07:43
JM hu inqas kredibli ghax d-diskors tieghu kien jinstema qisu ta gurnalist!
JM ghandu s-soluzzjoni ghal kollox ... l-aqwa li jirbah l-elezzjoni!
Matthew Tanti
Nov 24th 2011, 08:17
Naqbel mieghek li JM ghandu s-soluzzjonijiet, il-PM biex jirbah wighed lill-haddiema tal-airmalta li xogholholhom assigurat,weghedna smart city b'5,300 post tax-xoghol,wighed tnaqqis fl-income tax ghal kulhaddu mitt haga ohra. dawn il-fatti mhux kastelli fl-arja!
Jonathan Caruana
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:54
Lil Muscat ma tistax tafdah qal. Muscat ghandu vizjoni aktar cara ghal pajjizna u jidher li jaf kif isib is-soluzzjoni biex pajjizna jkun fost l-aqwa fl-Ewropa, xi haga li hu falla bil-kbir li ghamel. Lanqas niesu stess m`ghadhom jafdawh u jistmawh ta` leader. Le nafda lilu nerga`!! Mela mhux kulhadd jaf x`ifisser Gonzi! NEGATTIVITA` FL-AQWA TAGHHA!!
Peter Seebohm
Nov 23rd 2011, 21:44
The worldwide Hongkong Shanghai Bank C. was build by Labor ????
Tony Agius
Nov 23rd 2011, 22:52
Miskin Joseph Muscat fil vizjoni imcajpra tieghu , hafna drabi xoghol li jkun lest jew qieghed isir ma jarahx . Miskin ghadu zghir u ghandu problema kbira . Ghalek jghati pariri hziena ghax ma jarax fil boghod , u kultant lanqas fil vicin.
Wenzu Vella
Nov 24th 2011, 07:24
Mr Caruana I am an old man and have been a lefty labour man all my life but to believe that Malta can become the best in the EU by Dr Muscat or Dr Gonzi is rather very far fetched.
A political party when in opposition tells you one thing and when they find themselves in government they have to act very responsibly to what is left for them by the previous administration.
Judging by the financial situation Malta is in, do not expect too much. Unless they adopt the same careless policies of this and the precious PN governments by keep borrowing more and more money in the name of the present and future Maltese people.
Tony Borg
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:50
Dr. Gonzi said that we have such a high debt because we invested in the likes of a new airport and new telecommunications......what he did not say is that then they sold all the country's jewels...including the airport, maltacom and other companies that were built by labour governments such as the HSBC.
Peter Bonnici
Nov 23rd 2011, 23:44
Built by Labour governments? Maltacom/Telemalta was not built by labour. It happened to be the result of nationalising Cable & Wireless. Same goes for HSBC/MidMed - formed through the nationalisation of Barclays Bank (Malta).
Learn some facts before popping out of nowhere and blurting out utter stupidity.
tony abela
Nov 24th 2011, 06:59
The facts are that we have high debts because the he over spends and he lost all the recurrent income from the ex-government owned agencies which he sold cheaply to try to reduce the dept at that time.
tony abela
Nov 24th 2011, 10:08
Att Peter Bonnici
The facts are that Cable and Wireless used to take care of the overseas telephone and Cable (telegrams) through its High Frequency Radio Links and the Government had a Department called Telephone Department.
At the time the Telemalta was set up the Radio links were already outdated and were replaced with submarine cables and satelitte communications together with VHF Links to Sicily. All these were new investments under the Labour Government. The telephone system wa still the electro-mechanical systems and the Labour Government introduced Digital Telphone during the 70's.
If it was not for the nationalisation by the Labour government , the pN would have had nothing to sell.
Tony Borg
Nov 24th 2011, 11:55
@ Peter Bonnici
The point was that Dr. Gonzi said that the debt resulted of investments in infrastructure....but he did not mention that everything was sold and the debt is till sky high.
Labour government invested in all the parastatal companies like Airmalta and Seamalta......and still lefts millions of liri in Malta's coffers
But you and your government conveniently do not mention all these and then I wonder who writes stupidities here.
Rachel Borg
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:50
One word: Excellent
Lara Vella
Nov 23rd 2011, 21:06
excellent imma jekk itini zieda daqs kemm ha hu u shabu!
Jonathan Caruana
Nov 23rd 2011, 22:55
Depends to what you are referring.
Carmel (Nenu) Aquilina
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:49
Illum irrid nirrepeti dak li qal Dr Austin Gatt nhar il-Ħadd.
Kemm hu sabieħ li tkun nazzjonalist!
U veru sabieħ li tkun nazzjonalist, meta tara dak il-Prim Ministru nazzjonalist waqt id-diskors tiegħu tal-bagit 2012,
Mhux ta' b'xejn li l-mexxejja internazzjonali kollha għandhom dik l-istima u fiduċja hekk kbira lejn dan il-Prim Ministru Malti Lawrenc Gonzi!
Prosit Dr Lawrenc Gonzi.
Grazzi Sur Prim Ministru.
Kuraġġ Gonzi PN
Mario Grima
Nov 24th 2011, 00:46
Have you already been partying?
Pat Hobson
Nov 24th 2011, 09:30
Biex naghtu t-transfers lill-Laburisti, xi tghid Nen?
Mark Cassar
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:48
A sensible speech. Shows a focused Prime Minister; cautious, but optimistically cautious....SUBSTANCE
mark borg
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:51
Have you had an early Christmas Party at work, this year ?
Joe Mallia
Nov 24th 2011, 06:20
@Mark Borg
After spending 25 years in opposition, substance is the least of the LP's prerogative. Promise anything to anyone and those gullible enough might just vote for us. You must be one of those Mark.
Jonathan Caruana
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:45
Fil-budget ma semmiex x`mizuri se jiehu u x`nefqa se jaghmel biex tonqos il-waiting list ghal dawk li qeghdin jistennew xi operazjoni fl-isptar, biex jizdiedu s-sodod fl-isptarijiet u ma jhallux nies fil-kurituri u biex is-sentenzi fil-qrati ma jdumux ikarkru snin twal. Jew dan tort tal-PL UKOLL?
N. Montanaro
Nov 23rd 2011, 23:06
u xhin jitla joseph se jibda jmur jnehhihom hu l katarretti tahseb int???
Jigri jitla l PL fil gvern forsi din il genna li qeghed iweghdna Joe narawa f Malta...
Jonathan Caruana
Nov 24th 2011, 11:54
Il-katarretti f`ghajnejk qeghdin Sur jew Sinjura Montanaro biex titkellem hekk ghax m`intix tara x`inhu jigri.
Daniela Camilleri
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:44
A very good, hands on, sombre speech by a focused Prime Minister
Lara Vella
Nov 23rd 2011, 21:03
bil-paroli ma naghmlu xejn! ahna wieghdiet imwettqa irridu!
Christine Pace
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:43
The PM's speech was a breath of fresh air.
On the other hand Joseph Muscat's Monday speech was full of the usual hogwash the Labour Party wants to jam down our throats.
Jonathan Caruana
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:43
Il-medicini..se naghtu aktar medicina b`xejn..jekk mhux bhas-soltu dejjem tkun OUT OF STOCK u dak li jkun ikollu jixtriha.
John Zammit
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:42
If the 51 proposals By Dr.Muscat are soundbites you are doing using your words 14 of them Are they not soundbites?Are yours filled with substance ??
H. Psaila
Nov 23rd 2011, 21:14
Joseph Muscat didn't give 51 proposals but repeated 51times "Gvern gdid imexxi minni" that was all he said and nothing substantial and concrete.
Peppi Borg
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:42
Dear Mr. R Spiteri how can my problem be the delivering of the government when I look at Smart City, Arriva, the City Gate Project, the White Rocks Sports Village, the National Debt and Deficit, a powerstation (still not paid) which works on one of the most expensive and hazardous fuel..... Do you want me to continue. If you call that delivering......well then we do not live on the same island or your eyes are blue blinded.
Tarcisio Bugelli
Nov 23rd 2011, 21:06
Nahseb m'intix tghix f'dinja siehbi. Nista' nkun naf x'hemm hazin fi Smart City? fil-White Rocks? fil-Progett tal-Belt? Eh - nahseb se tgorr ghax m'ghamlulekx is-saqaf fit-Teatru! Patetici!
Taf xi jmisskom tghidu? Misskom tghidu li hlief bsaten fir-roti ma taghmlux!! U min jaf kemm tixtiequ qeghdin taghmluhom intom dawn il-progetti! Imma nahseb qed nitlob wisq...ghax lanqas biss kienu jigukom f'raskom!
Peppi Gatt
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:41
Facli titkaza, tikritika u tipponta sibghajk ghax il-PL ma jizbaljax... bilhaqq ghax ma jaghmel xejn!!! ;)
mark borg
Nov 23rd 2011, 21:02
Il Pl ghamel gab kull dritt civil u servizz socjali li hawn Malta il hawwn ibda mil Housing u spicca fil Pensjoni,
Jigifieri tinsultax l-intelligenza bil paroli Vojta u ta it tfal :)
Liam Caruana
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:39
Diskors ta' sustanza u ta' kuragg mil-Prim Ministru!
mark borg
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:42
Mela qadd ma smajt xejn jaqaw Mr ?
mark borg
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:49
Nahseb kieku ktibt : Diskors bla sustanza u ta biza kbira mil Prim Ministru.
Ghax kienet taqbel mieghek tlett kwarti ta Malta u aktar min nofs Ghawdex ...rather then tal Klikka Blue.
M. Bezzina
Nov 23rd 2011, 21:54
Staqsi lil haddiema tal airMalta bl ittra li batilhom li jsalva lil AirMalta hija mela imma billi jparpru l barra!!U smart City kemm haddem nies mill elezzjoni law!!Basta nghidu jekk jitla JM ma jsirux mirakli u qas dan m jaghmel mirakli ghax weghdi kontra weghdi u ma jaghmel xejn!!
Reinhard Azzopardi
Nov 23rd 2011, 22:57
@Mark Borg
Qatt ma smajna xejn sur Borg? Smajna lil mexxej tal-opposizzjoni (is-sur "gvern immexxi minni") nhar it-tnejn li ghadda. Diskors bla sugu u bla sustanza. Kien fih 51 xewqa sabiha. Kemm ghandi xewqat jien! Pero idea kif indahhalhom fi prattika u naghmilhom realta ma tantx ghandi ta. U daqs tant iehor Dottor Muscat. Ma nistax nghid li ma jixtieqx il-gid ghax inkun qed nigdeb pero nahseb li ghad irid jasal zmien fejn irid jibla dak kollu li qal u m'hijiex se tkun ikla tajba! Il-predecessur tieghu diga ghadda minnha u qisu hu ma tghallimx minn lezzjoni daqs tant qarsa.
Peter Bonnici
Nov 24th 2011, 00:03
@ Mark Borg. Ghandek ragun. Ma qalx kemm ha jghola it-tonn taz-zejt, u kemm ha jorhos il-corned beef. U nesa ihabbar 'wage-freeze'.
Peppi Borg
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:37
How can one believe Gonzi about new jobs which he mentioned when he was not able to fulfil the 5.000 jobs promised in Smart City?
Matthew Tanti
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:35
Gonzi jikwota l-istorja kif jaqbillu u ma jsemmix il-vizjoni tieghu ghall-futur ghax m';ghandux!
Peter Bonnici
Nov 23rd 2011, 23:56
Ahseb u ara x'visjoni kellu Joseph Muscat (u siehbu Alfred Sant) meta kien jigri ma Malta kollha, jghidilna kemm ha jghalqu fabbriki ladarba nidhlu fl-EU. Sahansitra kien mar jippriedka fl-Islanda biex huma ma jghamlux l-izball u jidhlu huma. Illum lanqas johlomha lill-Malta barra mill-Europa.
U xi tghid ghal-Vizjoni ta Muscat meta faqqghet ir-Rebbiegha Gharbija?
Iz-zmien dejjem tah ragun lill PN.
Mr Steve Cassar
Nov 24th 2011, 07:20
L-vizzjoni ta JM hi li kollox ha jittranga, nigu genna fil-mediterran bil-PL!
Igifieri kastelli fl-arja!
Peppi Borg
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:35
Gonzi clearly found it hard to answer Joseph Muscat's formidable speech. A weak speech by a tired Prime minister.
Peppi Borg
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:33
Joseph Muscat's energy proposals worried so much the PM. Why did he kept Sagas innovative proposals unveiled? Did Gonzi forget that he ridiculed this proposal?
Matthew Tanti
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:31
Gonzi missu jghidilna ghala ghazel li ma jghatix kas lil John Dalli nazzjonalist bhalu li ried jifranka lill-pajjiz u lil poplu miljuni kbar bil-proposta tieghu fuq il-generazzjoni tal-energija.
J Busuttil
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:39
Were you hearing the speech he replied to your question. It was round about 7.40 and 7.50 pm. You can read it above under the heading Power Tariffs. This shows that you just write on what you hear Sunday in and Sunday out.
Peter Bonnici
Nov 24th 2011, 00:00
@ J Busuttil. He did not listen to the speech. He simply relied on what he's been told. On Super One of course.
Matthew Tanti
Nov 24th 2011, 08:03
John Dalli l-ministru nazzjonalista jahsibha differenti mill-PM. Kif zgur taf int, illuminani liema nazzjonalist ma jafx x'qed jghid minnhom?
J Busuttil
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:30
Prosit Gonzi.
Matthew Tanti
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:40
Iva prosit falla t-tarzna, falla s-sea malta, falla l-airmalta, qered il-middle class, falla lill-familji maltin u mela l-pajjiz bid-dejn. Vera haqqu Prosit
Matthew Tanti
Nov 23rd 2011, 21:04
Habib nhar il-Gimgha ser ikun hawn raprezentant ta' Sarcas u jkun jista jitfa aktar dawl fuq il-kwistjoni. Biss infakkrek habib li l-ex ministru tal-finanzi nazzjonalista Dalli heggeg lil PM dwar din is-soluzzjoni. Ie Liema nazzjonalist ma jafx x'inhu jghid skond int?
John Zammit
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:30
The prime minister is so out of contact that what his he doing is just repeating the same questions he made last Sunday He dried up of Ideas and only mentioning what foreign people had to say and forgeting that what matters for us is dread and butter
Peppi Borg
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:27
Its evident our prime minister is tired, lacks energy, lacks ideas, always mentioning the past without a vison for the future .......time to have a break.
r spiteri
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:31
The PN in Government delivers. That is your problem habib.
Lara Vella
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:38
spiteri,
that's definitely not only mr. borg's problem, but a whole nation's problem!
F. Azzopardi
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:41
warrab gonz u ghamel spazju ghall min hu kapaci !!
H. Psaila
Nov 23rd 2011, 21:00
@F. Azzopardi - Ibqa ohlom habib li sejjer iwarrab ghaliex qieghed tghidlu int u shabek il-Laburisti. Lanqas intom imxenqin biex tkunu fil-poter. X'agla ghandkom. Insomma DREAM DREAM DREAM.
Tony Agius
Nov 23rd 2011, 22:05
if you want to have a break , please your self , but for our Prime Minister is doing very well , the problem is with Joseph the pretender , the one that can not see things that have already been done or being done , and he still say that they are non existing . Poor Joseph , so young and already with the old age problem. ( katarretti )
Charles Cremona
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:25
At the end of the day when the election comes people will i hope vote for the party that has the most credible policies for the Country in a Europe that is facing its worst crisis since world war 2. So far Labour has not impressed anyone, they are telling people what they want to hear but they know that whoever is in government will have there hands tied. Gonzi and his government have made mistakes especially with the onoraria but they have steered the country well during a very difficult period and we are going to need an experienced government to carry on guiding us trough the crisis that is about to hit Europe and the world.
Christian Azzopardi
Nov 23rd 2011, 23:38
"Labour has not impressed anyone" ... wow, are you some sort of God that knows what everyone thinks? Iddahhkuni certu nies ta. :-)
Ms Rudi Mcbeal
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:22
The country is doing very well indeed when compared to other countries. YES, I know who I shall give my vote to in the next general elections, and it definitely won't be Dr Muscat.
Very well done Prime Minister!
mark borg
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:55
Who asked you ?
M. Bezzina
Nov 23rd 2011, 21:56
we dont need yr vote anyway!!!
Ms Rudi Mcbeal
Nov 23rd 2011, 21:59
Calm down Mark Borg, calm down.
Matthew Tanti
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:21
Il-PM qed isemmi l-istudenti biss. X'ser jghid lil dawk l-istudenti kollha li ghazlu l-istudji taghhom fuq il-weghda ta' iktar minn 5,000 post tax-xoghol gdid fi smart city?
Jonathan Caruana
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:20
JIDHER GHADDIELU AUSTIN x`icapcap. AUSTIN, MALTA NEEDS YOU!!!:-)
mark borg
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:26
To sort out the mess you created yourself in our Public transport.
Charlen Attard
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:38
Facli titkaza, tikritika u tipponta sibghajk ghax il-PL ma jizbaljax... bilhaqq ghax ma jaghmel xejn!!! ;)
Lara Vella
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:47
charlen,
il problema tal PN hi li jaghmel...inkunu ahjar kieku m'ghamilx!
Jonathan Caruana
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:18
GHAL GONZI MALTA MIEXJA FUQ IR-RUBINI u GHALL-POPLU MALTA MIEXJA lejn KOLLASS EKONOMIKU U FINANZJARJU!!! GRAZZI GHAL GONZI U SHABU!!!
Jonathan Caruana
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:15
Mhux tad-dahk? Mela d-dejn u l-hazin nassoccjawh mal-gvernijiet Laburisti u l-PN QATT ma jaghmel xejn hazin. Kollox tajjeb jaghmel. Vera qeghdin mixjin fuq ir-rubini. Huma imma u n-nies tieghu bil-pagatella diehla. Qal li Muscat ma wegbux. Vera m`ghandux xi jghid. Rega` stasih il-mistoqsijiet u jghid li hafna mill-proposti li ghadda Muscat, il-gvern qed iwettaqhom. MA tistax tiehdu bis-serjeta`!!
J Farrugia
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:13
So because the auditor general said nothing was wrong it's ok is it. I cant wait to vote you out your a pathetic excuse for a man.
Simon Magro
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:22
Prosit tal-irgulija u l-etika li qed turi! Nassigurak li l-vot tieghi ser nuzah biex nies bhalek jitrazznu darba ghal dejjem! Nies patetici u arroganti
John Zammit
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:12
The Prime Minister had just said that discharges where far low this year somewhere over 200 Are those being given a handshake from Air Malta included
Liza Zarb
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:11
Qallilna li Dr Muscat ma wegibx il-mistoqsijiet tieghu , ara vera jew ma semmax id-diskors ta Dr joseph Muscat jew iried jara kif se iggideb dak id-diskors . Mhux 10 mistoqsijiet wegbek imma 51.
r spiteri
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:33
B'kemm ha jorhos id-dawl u l-ilma fl-2013? Tweghdna li Muscat ma jziedx it-taxxi?
M. Bezzina
Nov 23rd 2011, 21:58
Sur Spiteri il gvern tijek wieghed hafna u ma ghamel xejn.
H. Psaila
Nov 23rd 2011, 23:40
@ Liza Zarb - ma wiegeb xejn kull ma qal kien "Gvern Gdid imexxi minnhi" ghall 51 darba. Lanqas huwa imxennaq ghall-poter.
Mr Stephen Borg
Nov 24th 2011, 22:59
@H. Psaila
It is Gonzi who has to answer for the big flop in the public transport reform, or in the highly questionable BWSC contract, or for the never ending ques at Mater Dei hospital, or for the promised tax bands revision. Gonzi should answer these questions which are being asked by the Maltese people not from Joseph Muscat.
Simon Magro
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:09
Jien ghandi hanut family-run u li ma kienx ghad-diversi incentivi fiskali li ntroduca l-Gvern prezenti, kien ikolli naghlaq! Grazzi tal-appogg u l-ghajnuna kollha li tajtuni ghax hekk nista' nitma lill-familja tieghi
Jonathan Caruana
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:17
Mela ma tircevix kontijiet esagerati tad-dawl u l-ilma u kontijiet tal-VAT? Alla jbierek wiehed mill-ftit f` Malta!!! Prosit siehbi. Ghidilna x`ghamilt biex int wiehed mill-ftit negozji zghar f`Malta li mort tajjeb ghax hafna minnhom kollha ghalqu l-bibien!!!
Gordon Farrugia
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:23
ghal liema incentivi fiskali qed tirreferi Simon. Jien self-employed ukoll u hlief taxxi miniex niehu? - u issa daqt tolqotni l-bolla balla - lanqas biss l-allowance ta l-gholi tal-hajja m'jien ha niehu.
mark borg
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:30
X hanut ghandek Sur Magro...semmijulna please xejn,xejn tkun qed tghamel riklam b'xejn...semmih ha naraw kemm qed tghid il verita u jhekk ma ghandekx xtahbi ! QED NISTENNEWK
John Zammit
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:35
Good luck Simon you are one of the fortune You wan't much that got your luck
Jonathan Caruana
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:58
Tidher li mhux vera ghandek negozju Simon ghax ma tafx x`int tghid. In-negozji z-zghar illum kollha kissirhom u ghaffighom taht bulldozer il-Gvern tal-PN immexxi minn Lawrence Gonzi. Ghidilna x`negozju ghandek siehbi.
Oliver Grech
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:08
Jista Joseph Muscat jghid ghalfejn qed jidhak meta l- PM qed jitolbu jghid min hi l kumpanija li lesta t investi f teknologija ghad dawl u l- ilma? Sur Muscat ghandek OBLIGU li tghid. Jekk u nerga nghid JEKK vera trid il- gid tal poplu billi trahhas il- kontijiet tad- dawl u l- ilma trid titkellem issa biex jorhsu min issa mhux wara l- elezzjoni? Jew forsi ha ttina refund imbghad? Nahseb ir- risposta hi li l- kap tal- oppozijoni irrid jiehu BISS vantagg politiku u mhux il- gid taghna llkol.
mark borg
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:40
Inti ghalfejn qed tinkwieta Oliver ? Jhekk ma temnux, u forsi qed ghaddej tajjeb u tgawdi illum u jaqbillek tivvota lil GonziPN,erga ivvutalhom,no problem, nassigurak li eluf ta nies godda (kif ga bdew mill l-elezzjoni l-ohra) se jivvutaw lil Partit Laburista,jigifieri ghalxejn qed titbaqbaq u fl ahhar nghidlek li jhekk Gonzi jitbaqbaq bhalek biex Dr Muscat itih il pariri,sinjal li Gonzi mhux denju li jmexxi il-pajjiz ghax l-ebda Prim Ministru fid dinja ma jsaqsi u jahli l-energija x se jghamel il kap ta l-oppozizjoni.Ahjar jara f'dawn l-erba tijiem li baqghalu, kif se jsolvi wahda mill gzus ta problemi li gab b idu u se jhalli warajh,halli forsi it tghoma qarsa li se jhalli ma niesu stess itaffija xi ftit .
Peppi Borg
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:06
Gonzi lacks ideas - again he turns on Joseph Muscat. He is clearly puzzled by the latter's proposals and again he turns to questions instead of solutions. What does projects done last year have to do with next year's budget????
A Dimech
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:05
What did Gonzi say on Smart city? did he mention it?
Because... before last election PN placed a big billboard infront of my house saying that SMART city will employ 6,800. would be good if he can update us!!
Jonathan Caruana
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:04
FALLEJTU PAJJIZ!!! TAF TISTHI?
Simon Magro
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:21
Sur Caruana - taf min ghandu jisthi? Ghandhom jisthu persuni bhalek li jparlaw f'vacuum! Qabbel iz-zewg partiti u l-ghazla hija cara! Hemm bahar jaqsam vera, imma ghax il-PL jilghab ghall-gallarija ghax facli ghalih jaghmel hekk, mentri l-PN irid jiehu d-decizjonijiet l-ibsin kuljum!
Dik hi l-verita!
Lara Vella
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:35
Sur Magro,
Jekk ghejja, jieqaf. Hemm alternattivi ahjar ghal dan il-gvern!
Jonathan Caruana
Nov 23rd 2011, 21:07
Sur Magro, jekk ma jimpurtax , nitolbok tirrispetta l-opinjoni tieghi ghax nies bhalek gabu lil Malta fis-sitwazjoni MISKINA li tinsab fiha bil-vot taghhom. Nies li bhalek huma bil-blinkers u jaghmel x`jaghmel il-PN kollu tajjeb. Jekk ghandek intellett haddem tajjeb mohhok halli ma nbatux ahna bil-vot tieghek.
Peppi Borg
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:04
According to the Prime minister the government would be decreasing debt when taking loans from Maltese. what he didn't mention is the amount of interests paid on this debt.
Jonathan Caruana
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:03
L-ekonomija qieghda tqum meta fl-Ewropa hi stagnata....f`Malta BISS qed tqum. Is-sensji naqsu u l-pagi gholew. Dan bis-serjeta`??
Peppi Borg
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:02
Gonzi is confirming that Joseph Muscat was right mentioning undelivered projects
Jonathan Caruana
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:01
Issa ha niftehmu...allahares ma jsemmix progetti ilhom 24 sena jiggvernaw! Progetti saru u xoghol sar ukoll. Imma ghaqal m`hemmx u min jaf kemm inhlew flus li marru fil-bwiet ta` terzi persuni talli jaghmlu xi xoghol. Imma l-hela, l-isparpaljar tal-flus u l-mismanagement biex ma nsemmux il-weghdi elettorali mhux imwettqa jobzqu il-gid u l-progetti tajbin li saru!!!
Matthew Tanti
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:01
Jekk kif qed jghid Gonzi kollox miexi harir, kif ghandna 80,000 persuna f'riskju ta' faqar? Kif inhi li l-familji medji mhux qed ilahhqu mall-gholi tal-hajja u l-pagi dejjem qed jitilfu s-sahha taghhom tant li mhux qed iservu sal-ahhar tax-xahar?
Christine Pace
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:59
Gonzi reminded me of what myself and thousands of students had to endure under the infamous 96-98 (thank God it was only for 22 months) Labour government... no stipends and bank loans.
If Muscat does not remember all this, then he should ask his spokesman for education, Evarist Bartolo.
Lara Vella
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:33
Nimmagina li la kont l-universita', taf li kienu l-laburisti li fethu l-bibien tal-universita ghal poplu KOLLU u li introducew l-istipendju.
Jonathan Caruana
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:58
No reference to the arriva problems were made.
Jonathan Caruana
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:57
FUNNIEST FILM OF THE YEAR...don`t miss it. A "TRUE" STORY. Gonzi` reply to Joseph Muscat.
Mark Simon Cilia
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:56
Jien nimpressjoni ruhi kif l-iktar fatt importanti, il-media tinjorah! Ma hemmx haga ohra li ma nqalatx f'dawn l-ahhar snin! Ricessjoni ekonomika internazzjonali fahxija; prezz taz-zejt dejjem joghla; cereali dejjem iktar ghaljin; krizijiet fin-North Africa...
Gonzi - ahna warajk!
Mr Stephen Borg
Nov 23rd 2011, 22:28
Ahna min? Gonzi always speaks up about the highest rate of employment but he never mentions that there are people in this country which have to rely on a part time job as their primary source of income and that the average annual salary in Malta is fifteen thousand euros which is not enough to live a decent living. If you are after Gonzi most of us are not after him because we need good leadership.
Jonathan Caruana
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:56
Tmexxija bil-ghaqal u s-serjeta`!!! U l-onorarja ghaqal? Bieb il-Belt u l-parlament ghaqal? Konsulenti li thallsu talli ddisinjaw ir-rotot u l-flus marru down the drain ghaqal? Id-dockyard ghamlet telf ta` 300, elf miljun Maltin fi zmien il-labour bejn 1996 u 1998 f`sena u 10 xhur. U tahthom bdiet twarrad? Jew ghamlet aktar dejn? L-Airmalta taht min falliet? Taht il-Labour. L-Airmalta fallewha l-PN!!!
Christine Pace
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:55
I have just one question to Joseph Muscat: How are you going to reduce electricity and water tariffs? And by how much?
I want to know now and not in a year's time.
Peppi Borg
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:55
51clear sustainable proposals and the PM is still nostalgic about his Sunday 10 questions.
H. Psaila
Nov 24th 2011, 09:27
What proposals are you mentioning, he only repeated his desire GVERN GDID IMEXXI MINNHI for 51times. That is all I heard from him. He was just like a parrot.
Joseph M. Grech.
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:50
For such a good job Dr Gonzi I am glad for the €500 honoraria received.
Good job good pay!
Keep up your "ghaqal ta' veru u sincier"
Malta was lucky to have you in government. The right man at the right time!
A Dimech
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:57
Joseph - give him another 500 from your own salary - but please leave us out of it!
Lara Vella
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:10
i love your sarcasm!
Joseph Brincat
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:18
Joseph M Grech
YOU ARE TOO BLIND TO SEE ! ! ! !
Jonathan Caruana
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:50
Jaqaw dawk is-600 haddiem li hemm imdendlin li jitkeccew mill-Airmalta ma jghoddux ma` dawk in-nies li se jispiccaw bis-sensja??
Jonathan Caruana
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:49
No-one believes Gonzi anymore! Is he living in Malta or on another planet? He Said that Muscat didn`t answer his questions. Well he answered much more in anticipation. And he asked them on all the Maltese citizens behalf. Well, I don`t want and need him to ask any questions on my behalf and family.Thanks but no thanks.
Charlene Attard
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:01
Sorry Mr. Caruana but can you please just speak for yourself instead of including everyone in your 'illustionist' party. Well yes, Joey will take the cake for giving vague answers and making his best to appear convinced and confident with proposing nothing to his fellow Maltese... thanks but no thanks for a Joey government!
Charlen Attard
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:24
Sorry Mr Caruana but can you please talk for yourself instead of including everybody in your disillusioned party. Well, of course, Joey takes the cake for giving vague replies and trying his best to sound convincing and confident! Is this the kind of politician you would want to speak in your name? Could it get any less reassuring than that? Thanks but no thanks for a Joey government!
Martin Borg
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:48
Something else to be very proud of:
7 new schools: Karwija, 2 at Handaq, Verdala, Pembroke, Gozo and Mosta
Lara Vella
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:08
what about the old ones? left there to rot!
that's to taking care of our already-restricted green/open areas!
tony abela
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:14
Is the number leaving our education system without the basic skills going down??? That's what counts at the end of the day.
C. Sammut
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:48
We're so used to drop in words such as 'seriousness, wisdom, weathering the storm, difficult economic choices, difficult circumstances'... you'd almost think that if it wasn't for this Government no one else in the world would be able to govern...!
Let the next elections roll on...!!
Peppi Gatt
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:46
Lista ma tispicca qatt ta' progetti f'kull qasam u proposti ta' sustanza mhux kastelli fl-arja u tweghid fieragh! Il-PL jista' jgemgem kemm irid imma l-Pn ghandu l-prova li qed jahdem ghall-gid tal-pajjizna, ghall-holqien tal-impjiegi u s-success ta' uliedna!!
T Gauci
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:45
Unemployment have also declined in the US despite the economic crisis. It's easy to compare Malta with other countries where it suits you.
http://news.yahoo.com/unemployment-aid-applications-drop-7-month-low-133908747.html
M Mamo
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:07
and the USA's economy rating was lowered for the first time in decades ...
"It's easy to compare Malta with other countries where it suits you."
Lara Vella
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:13
'there are 3 lies: lies, damned lies and statistics'-Benjamin Disraeli.
take a look around you...start from airmalta!
D Farrugia
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:45
What a pathetic speech.
Gonzi is gloom and doom.
Muscat was inspirational.
Do you notice he did not attack even one proposal??
Pathetic.
Martin Borg
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:49
He did not attack one proposal?
Are you sure you're following the PM's speech and not Radju Super One?
Caroline Bartolo
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:42
Nispera li qeghdin tisimghu id-diskors ta' Gonzi ghax qed juri bic-car kemm ghandna l-Oppozizzjoni fqira u medjokri. Muscat hela l-hin taghna lkoll meta f'saghtejn shah nhar it-Tnejn lanqas biss azzarda jersaq vicin il-mistoqsijiet li ghamel il-PM Gonzi!!
Ovvja ghaliex - ghax risposti m'ghandux! U iktar minn hekk...jaf li l-Gvern miexi tajjeb!
Kevin Barun
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:48
Diga hlejt aktar minn saghtejn nisma l-Budget... m'ghandix aktar hin x'nahli... Il-Gvern skada u ma jridx jisma'. It-Tnejn waqt id-diskors ta' Joseph Muscat, darba biss ibbuwjawh il-Ministri, ghax iva, ha zball wiehed... imma l-bqija Caroline taf, bhal hafna ohrajn li iva, xbajna nisimghu weghdiet, minn budget ghall-iehor u minn kampanja elettorali ghall-ohra u ma jsirux.... hafna minnhom l-istess weghdiet
Martin Borg
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:41
This is something our country should be proud of: a deficit of 2.8% and next year's target is 2.3%.
Mark Brincat
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:40
Ta' Birkirkara l-aghar li ha jintlaqtu minn dal-budget ghax gej hafna maltemp skond Gonzi.
Caroline Bartolo
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:44
Prosit Chief Elf! Qed turi vera x'intom...meta jien qed nirriskja x-xoghol tieghi, intom flok taqbzu ghalija toqghodu ticcajtaw u titmejlu bil-Prim Ministru!!
Prosit tassew - ara vera ma titghallmu qatt!
Lara Vella
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:17
Caroline bartolo:
Jekk int lanqas qed taqbez ghalik innifek, anzi tfahhar il PN, kif tipretendi li haddiehor jaqbez ghalik?
U kif qed tfahhar lil PN meta qieghda tirriskja x-xoghol?
D. Xerri
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:38
And everyone thought they would get 4.60 euros a week - Minaaaaaalijom - Cause with the rise in tax next year they would hardly get 2 Euros a week increase in their wages - Another GonziPN Gimmick ! issoltu drajniha issa l-istorja - Jipprezentawlek Kejk mill-isbah li jpexpixlek ghajnejk imma xhin taqsmu biex idduqu tinduna li jkun immuffat u mdewwed :~)
Mariano Bonnici
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:38
LAWRENCE GONZI FOR ANOTHER WIN IN 2013!!
A Dimech
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:46
hurrah!!! by 1,000 votes again!!!
and then the theatrin will continue!!
A Dimech
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:36
"For example, each new school meant direct employment for 70 workers and indirect employment for 50 others. At Mcast campus, the number of workers would rise to 140. 70 were working on the City Gate project. The same applied for other projects, large or small such as Zewwieqa waterfront and the Marsaxlokk breakwater."
we want workers to work within the private sector - not with government entities paid out of the taxpayer.
we want foreign investment to progress - of which we have not seen any for some time....
John Attard
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:24
Ma qattilniex li ghallejt il bolla!!!! Hsibt li kellna budget mhux hazin but now back to square one!!!!
Jane Mizzi
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:23
what amazes me is that Joseph Muscat replied to questions such as : 'how will potential reductions of utility bills be made up for?' with empty general answers such as: 'we will be more careful'
what does this imply? maybe other 'careful methods' can be like new ways of increasing taxes?
more of the same - we've seen this with Alfred Sant promising VAT being taken away, and then introducing SISA tax which was higher....he kept his word did he not?
Mariano Bonnici
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:23
What Malta requires at this stage is a leader like Lawrence Gonzi who can lead us out of this economic crisis! I am absolutely furious to see Joseph Muscat ignoring all the exceptional circumstances present throught the EU!! This is not fair on our workers, students and the rest of the population!
A Dimech
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:38
no absolutely not fair !! you are right!!
what is fair is to send a letter in 2008 before the general election promising Air Malta employees employment.....
that is very fair!!
T Gauci
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:23
I wonder what decisions he took when he gave himself and his ministers €500 weekly pay rise in this difficult circumstances.
Liam Caruana
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:21
Pajjizi ohra jipprotestaw u zidiet ta' taxxi kbar, u pajjizna jiggwadanja min budget serju!!!
Mr Joe Micallef
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:21
Joey, game over not that there ever was one!
Martin Borg
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:18
I have just read Joseph Muscat's 51 "proposals"... What a puerile vote catching exercise they turned out to be.
Mario Pisani
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:16
Viva l-51 proposta! Qed taraw li ghidtilkom nhar it-Tnejn...51 buzz words li ma jolqtu xejn!!
D. Xerri
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:16
Tough Decisions being taken in Difficult Circumstances - said the Prime Minister - Yes everyone knows that no need to come telling us that - But seems everyone is asking HOW COME in such difficult circumstances it wasnt so tough for you to decide on a lovely pay rise of 500 Euros weekly for Yourself and Your Colleagues ?
Peppi Borg
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:15
Last Wednesday it was a message of hope.....today thunderstorms, strong winds, huge waves forecasts
Martin Borg
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:13
Lawrence Gonzi is perfectly right... Our country is part of the EU simply because we ignored the Labour Party and Joseph Muscat's message.
Mary Formosa
Nov 23rd 2011, 19:12
X'differenza mill-Prim Ministru ghal Joseph Muscat...bahar jaqsam!! Lanqas biss jixraqlu jissejjah Kap tal-Oppozizzjoni ahseb u ara Prim Ministru!
Grazzi Dr Gonzi tal-par idejn sodi li inti tajtna f'dawn l-ahhar 8 snin! Grazzi tassew!
David Farrugia
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:12
sodi nghid...ghal butu!
Lara Vella
Nov 23rd 2011, 20:21
par idejn sodi kieku tani zieda daqs kemm ta lilu nnifsu u lil shabu!