The government said this evening that its consistent position was that the power tariffs should be kept as low as possible in a manner which was sustainable for the country.

On the contrary, what the Opposition was proposing would raise the cost of electricity.

In a statement issued in reaction to comments made by Opposition leader Joseph Muscat, the government said that in line with its commitment, it was investing in the interconnector power cable and planning a gas pipeline from Sicily for power generation.

The benefits of these investments would be enjoyed by consumers - domestic and industrial -  through tariffs that were kept at the lowest possible level in a way that was sustainable for the country.

The government said this position had been reiterated by the prime minister - including today - when he criticised the opposition for planning to import gas on ships instead of through a pipeline which qualified for European funds.