If energy plan fails, I go, says Muscat
Woman tells of family plagued by lung cancer and asthma
TV personality John Bundy at a panel debate during the PL campaign activity in Marsaxlokk last night. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
Labour Leader Joseph Muscat said yesterday he would step down should a government led by him fail to deliver on its pledge to reduce water and electricity tariffs.
The statement came casually, in response to a comment by hydrologist Marco Cremona, who argued at a Labour Party electoral campaign activity yesterday that Dr Muscat was taking the biggest risk by making such a pledge.
“If there is no interest in this proposal from the private sector it is really the Labour Party and Joseph Muscat who will be taking the biggest risk.
“He has said that he will be taking personal responsibility for this project. I think what this means is that he would resign,” Dr Cremona said.“That’s right,” Dr Muscat replied.
He was speaking from the floor during a debate with a panel that included only one party affiliate, Konrad Mizzi, the party’s spokesman fronting the energy pledge.
Earlier, Dr Cremona said he found Labour’s pledge to be interesting and well presented but criticised the element related to water, his specialisation.
He argued that the price of water, which was already “ridiculously cheap”, should not have been reduced further because this would take capital away from the Water Services Corporation, which it needed to improve water conservation.
Dr Muscat said the point was legitimate but argued that Labour’s plan did not burden the WSC because the party was proposing an investment that would cut the cost of energy generation.
Moreover, he said, Labour could have lowered water rates even further but did not to allocate more money for WSC investment.
However, the main emphasis of Dr Muscat’s argument yesterday centred around the health benefits of the cleaner gas-powered plant that his party was proposing for Delimara.
Shortly after an advertising break, Dr Muscat introduced a woman whose family is plagued with lung cancer and asthma.
The woman said three family members had died of cancer, two of them with lung cancer, eight of her nine grandchildren suffered from asthma and another child had cancer.
“We spend our days at health centres and now we have a three-year-old grandchild with cancer,” the woman from Marsa-xlokk said.
Dr Muscat pointed out that he had not met the woman, who was sitting right behind him, before but felt that he should encourage her to speak after she told him her story during the break.
“I found her story shocking,” he said, arguing that Labour was duty-bound to do something about the Delimara plant on the strength of the health as-pect alone.
Earlier, the party’s proposal got a corporate endorsement from another member of the panel: Malta Hotel and Restaurants’ Association president Tony Zahra.
He argued that unless there was another proposal to reduce water and electricity bills “it’s obvious that we are going to choose” the proposal on the table.
He said that it was vital for his sector for water and electricity bills to be reduced and he called for more such pledges.
Mr Zahra also made a veiled comment on the fact that the Government had not taken up his association’s complaints about the adverse effects of energy prices seriously enough.
“I was just saying to my friend that for the roads to be done in this country we have to wait for a visit by the Pope or the Queen.
“In this case, we had to wait for an election. Perhaps, we should have one every six months,” he said.
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John Spiteri Jones
Jan 12th, 22:29
@ JC BORG, Iliked that bit" mitt bnideim mitt fema" i wish that many maltese get that into their heads, respect one another and the last thing that they should fight about is politics, we are all free to vote to whoever we like and say and argue as much as we like but for heavens sake lets hope that nobody goes over the top!
Alex Buds
Jan 12th, 21:15
Sounds impressive but there is actually zero risk to making such a pledge. Governments can always keep the price of energy artificially low by taxing and borrowing in other areas.
Salvu Sciberras
Jan 12th, 20:24
This reminds me of Sant and VAT In 1996. He had said he would resign if VAT was not removed. We know what happened. He suppressed VAT and introduced a similar home made concoction which in some cases could go up to 29%. Another déjà vu? Utility rates might go down and paid for by us in the form other taxes. Sant to repair the damage done by his succesful attack on VAT introduced 33 taxes.
Robert Lewis
Jan 12th, 18:49
I refer to Dr Fenech's statement during Xarabank programme showing a photo of a LNG carrier, whereby he stated that there are only 4. Dr Fenech according to Wikipeadia concerning LNG carriers as end of 2011, there are 359 LNG ships engaged in the deepsea movement of LNG. Apart from that there is a boom in the LNG carrier orders.
Maria Buhagiar
Jan 12th, 18:43
'@ Gio DeMartino
You are right.....BUT didn't Dr Gonzi stay in power despite loosing his majority in Parliament when JPO resigned from the Nationalist Party?
Vince Deguara
Jan 12th, 23:05
You seem to have difficulty in understanding the concept of coalition...
j brincat
Jan 12th, 18:34
@Giov DeMartino
"On the eve of a general election, Dom Mintoff publicly declared that he would not govern unless the majority was behind him...........We all know what happened"
AND we all know what GonziPN did in spite of the fact that he DID not have the majority in the House!
He kept cling to power at all costs!
jb
Giov DeMartino
Jan 12th, 20:38
When Gonzi lost the majority in parliament, he dissolved parliament. Cannot be simpler than that.
Alex Ellul
Jan 12th, 18:28
When did we last hear someone saying he would resign if he fails to keep his promise? Was he the one who did not manage to survive 23months as prime minister? Was not JM this chap's follower at that time?
Giov DeMartino
Jan 12th, 18:19
On the eve of a general election, Dom Mintoff publicly declared that he would not govern unless the majority was behind him...........We all know what happened.
Victor Vella
Jan 12th, 18:57
Demartino Mintoff took power is a positive way-according to the constitution. When his time was over he was gentleman enough to change the constitution, said to his colleagues that their time to be glued with their seats is over, and gave to EFA a blank cheque to victory. Your Gonzi PN has been glued to to their seats for the last five years.Mintoff and George B. Olivier were unique.
Giov DeMartino
Jan 12th, 20:12
The fact remains that Mintoff publicly declared that he would not govern if the majority was not behind him.,, He was speaking of votes, not chairs. Without the majority of chairs there was no need for him to say that he wouldn't govern. My Gonzipn governed because the PN obtained the relative majority of votes. What did you expect |Mr Vella? To have a labour government?
scott brown
Jan 12th, 18:01
If the plan fails I'll PAY would have been more appropriate. aren't you the one who preach accountability? while at it, you can just leave now and save the country the humiliation of a sure bailout if the electorate is that naive to swallow your figures. up to now i see only profit seeking opportunists and diehard socialists in favour if this madness.
A Spiteri
Jan 12th, 17:52
You can start packing Joe and take Conrad Mizzi with you!!
Guido Farrugia
Jan 12th, 18:17
Xewqat fertili tassew.
Lino Busuttil
Jan 12th, 17:25
Our water reserves are in need to be addressed and politicians ignore this problem once again.
Ms.D. Galea
Jan 12th, 17:17
" If energy plan fails, I go, says Muscat "
One guess as to who will be left behind to pick up the pieces....................................
Ray Buhagiar
Jan 12th, 17:10
X'sar minnhom il-flus li ngabru dwar il-VAT tal-registration tal-karozzi?
Karl Consiglio
Jan 12th, 16:49
Tajba din, if it fails he will run away instead of face up to the consequences of his actions
Joseph Sammut
Jan 12th, 18:52
Tajba din, kieku biddilna ministri dawn l-ahhar snin!
Carl Carabott
Jan 12th, 16:47
Dak leader kapaċi imma... carm irezzenja fuq talba tal-kabinet u listess rcc, u l-gvern waqa minħabba l-arroganza ta' Agostinio pio
Mr G Caruana
Jan 12th, 16:45
Geothermal Energy is our future.
Richard Caruana
Jan 12th, 16:33
Bravo!
Only rats desert a sinking ship!
Angelo Vassallo
Jan 12th, 16:22
@ Joe Grech
I take Xarabank ''surveys'' with a huge pinch of salt! I do not think that they are that dependable.
Do not be so sure. Just remember that Xarabank is the most viewed programme in Malta and Gozo - and its viewers are BOTH Nationalists and Labourites, Xarabank's 84 % against this “Alice in Wonderland” project is an indication to take note of.
Karl Consiglio
Jan 12th, 16:10
Tajba din so if it fails he will run away instead of face up to his resposibilities.
Joe Bonanno
Jan 12th, 15:59
This must come as a novelty to PN supporters. A leader actually saying that he is ultimately accountable. In really civilized countries Gonzi would have resigned for gross incompetence.
In1987 when the PN came in, the debt/gdp was actually negative (i.e. no debt, surplus in the treasury.) Compare that to the fiscal mess we have today. And they want us to trust them for another 5 years?
Reuben D. Spiteri
Jan 12th, 15:57
Am I supposed to believe that this woman's speech was something that he found out there and then and decided to recount her story? What about the plan they supposedly had for the evening?
Yesterday while watching the PL candidates talk on Xarabank I could see dozens of times the tell-tale sign of people telling lies. Unnatural control of the lips, excessive eyelid batting, etc.
Antonia Cachia
Jan 12th, 15:49
A very responsible move Muscat (NOT). First you are ready to crash this country into a wall and then run away just like the ex Spanish Prime Minister. Is this why you have been telling us to wait for your energy proposals all this time because you are planning to crash our country into a WALL? Thanks but no thanks!!
Edmond Micallef
Jan 12th, 15:39
GonziPn did not deliver on so many issues and inflicted so many hardships on whole sectors of the Maltese nation and does not blink one eye when asking the people to re-elect him.
And JM contemplates of leaving if his promise fails.
Whilst I see no reason why the project should fail, I think that JM should stop repeating this statement. It makes no political sense.
Maurice Agius
Jan 12th, 21:17
How i pity Edmund Micallef for his woes! I see beggars everywhere, homeless poeople sleeping in the streets,people living in shanty towns,bare footed children with no education, He seems to imly that Malta is a third world country with all that is needed cannot be found, Why can't labour supporters be so unashemed!!
James Grech
Jan 12th, 15:29
This claim is in line with how Dr.Gonzi emphasized his determination when he took up some reform under his wing. The only difference is that Dr.Gonzi had numerous blunders: his party, his parliament, mepa and others. Notwithstanding, he continued to grab on to his seat. He even defended those ministers that flopped in a similar fashion. Dr.Muscat on the other hand is showing accountability.
M Borg
Jan 12th, 16:08
With all the blunders the NP did Malta is still standing tall, better than most other EU countries.
On the other hand if this energy plan had to go wrong, and with what we have been given up to now it is very possible that is not doable, we will all suffer.
Taxes , loss of jobs, cut in pensions etc. Not a very nice picture.
James Grech
Jan 12th, 18:47
Where is the PN's energy proposal? How is it possible that ppl accept the use of HFO for more than 7 years over the use of clean energy, starting next year? Maybe you're not from that part of Malta which has been made a dump site under every PN government. Furthermore, can you explain your predictions? unless that is, you're one of those that are holier than thou.
G. Cassar
Jan 12th, 15:23
Once again I cannot see how PL can count Dr Cremon's comment and being equivalent to 'Great plan, and doable'. Who would not agree that a plan to reduce electricity bills is "interesting", but being realistic and in the interest of the country as a whole is a different matter altogether. Same goes for the rather vague - but upbeat - comments made by unions and industry who clearly cheer cheaper.
Marco Cremona
Jan 12th, 20:11
Thank you, Mr. G. Cassar
j brincat
Jan 12th, 14:59
@Lucienne Dimech
"Then might as well start your journey back Joe We were expecting more from the new P"
AND what are you expecting from tired GonziPN????
Copying of the PL's proposals???
jb
Ms Sandra Grech
Jan 12th, 17:11
Hey Dr Gonzi may be tired because he's actually done some work, unlike PL. All the good in this country can only be attributed to PN, what have PL done? Come out with a psycho like Mr Shame-on-You
Carmel Camilleri
Jan 12th, 14:58
Lanqas dar komuni ma tinbena fi 23 xahar, ahseb u are proget bhal dan.. U min huma dawk il-kapitalisti li jissugraw flushom f'dan il-proget? U jekk dawn ma jigux se jigri?
Charlene Bonnici
Jan 12th, 16:10
wait and see ha tara hux kapaci........ mela dak Gonzi :)
j brincat
Jan 12th, 14:57
@J.C. Borg
" If energy plan fails, I go, says Muscat " - Ga qata' qalbu mil-politika Muscat"
And why do I put it the other way?
Here finally comes a man who stand out to be counted!
How many have failed miserably in the last 25 years and yet NOBODY resigned!!!
jb
Lucienne Dimech
Jan 12th, 14:53
Then might as well start your journey back Joe We were expecting more from the new PL
B Ellul
Jan 12th, 15:26
Hehe... new PL....you mean the same MLP with the same people... oh sorry some have already been side-tracked! and btw i'm loving their love for the BLUE colour...
Abe Sammut
Jan 12th, 17:10
good one lucienne i was expecting from pn to build windfarms oh sorry solar panel farms maybe? oh not that my mistake heavy fuel oil plant? yes he did it... change it to gas oh no not again please..... 2 years ago i heard tonio fenech saying you have to get used to the bills increasing.... i said fine if we have to ... 1 year ago gonzi said the electricity price is never going to decrease
Abe Sammut
Jan 12th, 17:16
i said m'hemmx x'taghmel. Joseph muscat said he going to decrease it now gonzi said it was in his mind to decrease it. Well 2 months before the election he comes and tell me that? Not enough time to talk about it and do something in 10 years time? wara li il familji issalbu biex ilahqu mal hajja u ilhom ihalsu dawl oghli ghalxejn zmien. Tal misthijja. La jinzel dal giddieb forsi nivvota pn. thanks
Ray Buhagiar
Jan 12th, 14:53
Mela sentejn ghandu bhal ta qablu!
George Azzopardi
Jan 12th, 15:08
l-ewwel net JM ma qalx li ha jxolji l-parlament w t-tieni JM qed juri l-irgulija li anqas biss tezisti fid-dizjunarju ta GonziPN! Minfloka dahlet arroganza!
B Ellul
Jan 12th, 15:24
I bet even less! The problem is that the country would have wasted time on his BS.... same as what happened in 1996-1998!
Charlene Bonnici
Jan 12th, 16:11
Ohlom Ray.................ahna issaportajnikom ghal 25 sena imma intom tridu toqghodu hemm ghal 50 ta
Victor Vella
Jan 12th, 14:48
Do realise the mamoths they have to construct as the tanks for gas are very different from the ones for fuel.And how do they intend to construct the tanks instead of the existing ones in stages when you have a restricted site?The outer walls of the gas tanks need to be at least 75 cm thick and that of they use post tensioned concrete.Which as far as I know was only used once in Malta.The Bridge.
J.C. Borg
Jan 12th, 14:46
" If energy plan fails, I go, says Muscat " - Ga qata' qalbu mil-politika Muscat.
M Grima
Jan 12th, 15:20
That's what a real politician and a statesman does Mr. Borg. If he or his party fails on his promises he goes. That is exactly the opposite of what your beloved Dr. Gonzi, Austin Gatt, Tonio Fenech, Dolores Cristina, George Pullicino, Karm Mifsud Bonnici and Tonio Borg DID NOT do.
Why, because the power seat is too cosy and the PN is the party of hypocrites.
John Bonello
Jan 12th, 15:42
In your own words Grima you expect them all to leave office, you mentioned the whole cabinet, what about the other candidates in the MLP, old enough to be JM grandads, have they not served under Mintoff,KMB and AS administrationwere is the political accountabilty in JM he needs to start cleaning his own house first, JM is not credible fact a complete gimmick
J.C. Borg
Jan 12th, 16:51
@ Mr Grima, Re: "your beloved Dr. Gonzi, Austin Gatt, Tonio Fenech, Dolores Cristina, George Pullicino, Karm Mifsud Bonnici and Tonio Borg DID NOT do". My comment is only about "YOUR" - how sure are you that I have anything to do with these people. It is true that we have two major parties in Malta, but that does not necessary mean that everyone belongs to one of them. Mitt bniedem mitt fehma.
Paul Hawker
Jan 12th, 14:45
As a Briton spending all my hard earned cash in Malta self sufficient i don't give 2 hoots about local Politics, however if what Mr.Muscat says above is true, then he should do likewise if he does not deliver what he promised to some 18000+ people robbed of illegal vat tax on family cars already registered in the country of origin. greedyness will be abolished in Malta once & for All hopefully.
John Spiteri Jones
Jan 12th, 16:27
Agree Paul, While on Xmas break less then three weeks ago my mrs bought some grilled chestnuts from a stall just outside the upper baracca gardens , she was charged 2.50 euros for 6 nuts ! if thats not greed or ripping people off then what is?
John Bonello
Jan 12th, 14:39
PT5. if one take into consideration the reduction we will gain by the interconnector alone which is 7c/U not 2c6/U, do we have to be a new power plant, involve foreign investors involve shipping company to transport gas and in a few years after we would have a pipe line which will provide us with more flexibility and we can by gas from all over Europe without the risks involved in MLP proposal
John Bonello
Jan 12th, 14:39
PT4. do you want to risk all this on a mere 2c6 proposal which will cost our country an additional 600 million euros something JM does not want you to know about. something that is hiding from you, something which he is shy to publish for all to see, would you buy a product without you'll see if it works first or because the product claims it does work on the package???????
Marco Cremona
Jan 12th, 20:15
John Bonello, are you (or anybody else for that matter) in a position to show us the contract signed by the Maltese government with an electricity supplier that proves that Malta will buy electricity at 11 cents on the 1st January 2014?
John Bonello
Jan 12th, 14:39
PT3. Foreign investors who would be the ones who have total control on our power generation plant. do you want to risk all that you achieved for a mere 2c6/U when after all the time to build this power plant would take years and the MLP is not telling you the truth about it, we're investor would want you to put a guarantee for them with a new Tax and the MLP is not telling you the truth.
John Bonello
Jan 12th, 14:39
PT2. ask yourself is it worth it change direction, the same direction that took us out of recession and broke records in tourism & safe guarded 1000's of jobs and created many more, the huge investments in education, the best quality health service for a mere 2c6/U reduction which you'll end up paying many times more to sustain the investors losses, is it worth having u'r country dependable for
John Bonello
Jan 12th, 14:38
PT1. why should I risk what we achieved for a mere reduction of further 2c6/U, as it stand s now we are paying 18c/U, with the interconnector which the PN government invested in the rate will be reduced to 11c/U, that's 7c/U reduction, with MLP proposal @370 million euro the final rate would be 9c6/U an additional 2c6/U with all the risks and all the gimmicks involved in their proposal.
M Grima
Jan 12th, 15:24
Mr. Bonello you have been repeating your same pathetic reasoning for over three days and to say that you have bored us stiff is putting it mildly. You have made your point, so please write something new.
John Bonello
Jan 12th, 15:34
Grima you dont have to read it if you dont like...& I'M beign polite to you, I know the truth hurts for people like you who see this a political game "its our turn to win you had it many times before us". MLP must publish their reports fact or no vote from us.
John Bonello
Jan 12th, 15:55
@Grima
and before you write your comment get your facts right, as i wrote this this morning only copied on this page from another page, & i think its important for everyone to do their homework, what i said above are facts you dont have to agree but you be living in denial fact.
K. Vella
Jan 12th, 14:35
Tajba din.....if Joe Muscat fails he goes u ahna x'se naghmlu mbaghad?!?!?
This is worriesome.....I hope the Maltese will seek further explanations.
Toni Borg
Jan 12th, 16:39
Daqs kemm kien hawn gimmicks qabel minn nies fil-parlamet u bqajna ma ghamilna xej
George Cutajar
Jan 12th, 14:32
Mhuz hekk. He crashes us into a wall and than simply leaves to enjoy life while we are lumped with an unnecessary power station, two massive gas tanks , a twenty five year contract and an economic disaster. How very gentlemanly of JM. I am so impressed that I am now nearly convinced. All I need now is to have a look atbthe costings and workings which gave birth to the proposal.!!!!!!!!
Maria Borg
Jan 12th, 14:32
Ok enough talk abt energy now..it's all I can see and read everywhere. What else is in store?
Charles Massa
Jan 12th, 14:10
Il proposit tal PL gew imfahhar anki mil MHRA li dawn issa qieghdin jistennew il proposta tal PN. Imma Gonzi ma ghandux pjan ghal energija bhal ma qallu Franco Debono, L unika pjan li ghandu huwa li jkompli izid il kontijiet ta daw/ilma bhal ma qaltlu tal Europa. Gonzi jekk trid tkun kredibbli ippubblika l pjanijiet tieghek. Lanqas il progrramm elettorali taghkom ghandu mhux lest.
A. Mizzi
Jan 12th, 14:05
With Joseph Muscat's Benchmarks , there would n't be even on Minister from GonziPn's pool of limited talent !
Have there been any benchmark by any Minister, on any project??????
Mention one benchmark , ONE GonziPN project that was finished in time and to BUDGET!
Michael Seychell
Jan 12th, 14:48
Mr. Mizzi you are wrong,since the Marsascala Road; the Valletta Road in Zurrierq anmd the roads arouind the Airport and Marsa all finished on time and did not acceed the budget.
michael Seychell tal-Pieta
Joe Busuttil
Jan 12th, 17:26
@ M Seychell Hsibtek se ssemmi l-isptar,il-moll tac-Cirkewwa, Smart City, u iktar ,mela erba' toroq li xorta ma kellhomx ghalfejn idumu daqs kemm damu.
Joe Busuttil
Jan 12th, 17:31
Mr M S--- I expected you to mention the Mater Dei hospital, or the Cirkewwa Terminal, or Smart City ,or White Rocks Complex or Ta' Qali crafts village or -----and not three roads which took too long to finish ,even if on time.
A. Mifsud
Jan 12th, 13:42
Energy & water supply must be a global top of the list issue for the decades to come. It's so important that we can't afford to make a political theme out of it.
The truth about it is that both parties are going to extremes. PL are making promises they know they can't keep whilst shooting stratospheric figures, the PN are hard headed enough not to admit that Austins arrogance led them to this
Denis Pace
Jan 12th, 13:40
same as VAT.......
If you raise taxes unjustifiably (to compensate for Energy Bill) you should go......
J Martinelli
Jan 12th, 13:39
Hopefully you go before you mess up our economy, Joseph.
How about March 10?
Ms D. Borg
Jan 12th, 13:20
Mintoff ukoll darba qal lejlet elezzjoni li jekk ma jkollux maggoranza ta voti ma jiggvernax. Ma kienx gab maggoranza u xorta hemm baqa. Labour bla bla.
joseph azzopardi
Jan 12th, 14:22
Please leave the death... resting. Simply think of a Futur fis-sod
John Bonello
Jan 12th, 13:11
PT5. “It is not possible to have a credible manifesto if you do not have clear and credible principles” I’m quoting JM words by words during his Sunday speeches, live by what you preach Dr.Muscat it’s time to prove to us that we can trust you, publish your studies. If it’s feasible and doable and the estimates reflects the true cost what’s stopping you ?
K Fenech
Jan 12th, 13:10
Good news to hear...finally some decent accountability and governance. However are those currently saying that this is "a gimmick" or "not achievable" be ready to assume political responsibility for trying to misguide us and confirms that they are not able to do their research well and hence propose smart doable and feasible solutions?
Mr robert micallef
Jan 12th, 13:10
so did dr Alfred sant say he will go if he does not remove vat
John Bonello
Jan 12th, 13:08
PT4. “Labour would also promote a discussion on the living wage to ensure that all workers had a salary which enabled them to have a proper standard of living. This would not be an imposition, but a discussion leading to consensus.” It’s all bahhhh now so much for our trustworthy charismatic JM what happened to the living wage another failed miserable proposal from JM
G Portelli
Jan 12th, 13:05
So what Joseph? You would then do like your ex leader and go back to Brussels leaving Malta in an abyss. Thanks but no thanks.
Karl Consiglio
Jan 12th, 13:01
Its already failed
Joseph Sammut
Jan 12th, 13:38
How come; please explain? Three words do not make a convincing statement!
Charles Bugeja
Jan 12th, 13:48
bhal smart city mela!!
Joe Busuttil
Jan 12th, 13:52
You Nats .must all be turning into parrots,repeating what Simon Gonzi says. You will soon be communicating between yourselves with buzzwords.
John Bonello
Jan 12th, 13:01
PT4. You expect us to trust you. Here read your own word “Replacing a government monopoly with a private one is not liberalization. Liberalization means opening the market up so as to allow the consumer more choice generated through competition” this is you word by word, that’s exactly what you’re doing now replacing the government monopoly with a private monopoly
John Bonello
Jan 12th, 12:59
PT3. This time around its different, we’re not taking chances , if you want to be credible with the Maltese voters you have to publish your studies and your reports , once your voted in power then it’s too late for us to revert back the damages done. Where is the political transparency you so much preached about…practise what you preach Dr.Muscat
John Bonello
Jan 12th, 12:59
PT2 but that’s not what politics is all about, politics is not about you resign or staying it’s about facts, whether you stay or go after we would still have to make up for the financial mess you’d leave behind, same like in 96 the CET tax which left a disaster behind, who paid for that then ….it was us the Maltese tax payers.
John Bonello
Jan 12th, 12:59
PT1. I remember the then AS in the 96 election making the same promises in Valletta were he promised that if he’d fail to remove the VAT he would resign, not only he did not resign right after the fiasco but he remained as a party leader for another 10 years. This proposal shows the weakness in their proposal. Like a little boy when he’s caught lying, I swear I didn’t do it.
Joseph Agius
Jan 12th, 12:57
if energy plans fail, we all go!!!!!!!!!! It might be ok for him to resign (he managed to make some bucks as MEP), but we would all be stuck in one real mess!!
A Mercieca
Jan 12th, 13:59
Exactly. If it fails he will go and we will face the music. For JM the worst thing that could happen is that he would no longer be PM. The electorate cannot take this bet. The risk is too high. Serious plans factor in an element of risk mitigation.THE only risk that he sees is that he would not be PM. SORRY,JM u lost it.
J Tabone
Jan 12th, 14:10
I'm sorry I don't agree. The two power-stations are there and will stay there. Dellimara 1 will go ONLY when Muscat build his "gas" one. If he does not deliver his new power-station, the two existing power-stations will still be there. Th PL plans intend to keep Dellimara 1 "ad-interim" in case we don't get a gas delivery for the new power-station. So what with the "facing the music"?
Richard Caruana
Jan 12th, 12:48
Cyprus Joe has already failed; so go, please go now.
On second thoughts, please stay, you're the best thing that can happen to prevent us from voting you into power.
Charles Tanti
Jan 12th, 13:57
Fully agree........Qisu photocopy ta A.Sant dan.
John Spiteri Jones
Jan 12th, 12:39
This guy is certainly not Gonzi PN. Hes saying that he would step down if he fails to deliver while Gonzi stuck to his seat even though he lost his seats majority! The maltese will not forget how he ignored the plea of the maltese and trampled over them like they where ants. the only supporters hes got left are the majority of lawyers and doctors and those who are still clinging to the PN"zejza".
Michael Seychell
Jan 12th, 15:13
JSJ - Gonzi did nearly all his term and kept us all well above watertherefore there was no need for him to resign.
Out of 4 Lab. Govts since 1955, 2 resigned half way through, Mintoff in 1958, and Sant in 1998.
Regarding JM I do not believe that he will resign in case his plan fail, since he never keep his word - Space will not permit me to give examples.
Michael Seychell Tal-Pieta.
Michael Seychell
Jan 12th, 15:39
JSJ Lab. Govnments are used to abandon their ship, & out of 5 elections 4 won & one stolen, their PM resigned twice, Mintoff in 1958 & we lost the self govt for for 4 years. Sant left in 1998after removing VAT, exploded the energy rates + 33 new taxes.
JM ,come what may he will not resign, unless he is pushed out by his team, since for him The End Justifies The Means. Mike Seychell Tal-Pieta
Karl Consiglio
Jan 12th, 12:35
Tajjeb, therefore you can go now, because its already failed.
Michael Tabone
Jan 12th, 12:29
Everybody wants lower energy tariffs which is why Labour are proposing it. In the UK they continue to go up every 6 months. While all other countries are continuing to increase energy tariffs, Malta reduces theirs....are we special and know something the other countries dont? I dont trust Labour, this sounds like a sure wjn proposal and the costs of them meeting this proposal could be dangerous.
Mario Buhagiar
Jan 12th, 12:15
the thing is, LNG is by far better gas (healthwise and environmental-wise) than HFO. and one pipeline is very risky since in case of a dispute between us and Italy could cause us being without electricity. Please refer to the Russian-Ukrainian gas pipeline dispute in 2009, when the Russians killed Ukrainians by letting them freeze to death when they closed their pipeline.
Mario Buhagiar
Jan 12th, 12:19
Also worth mentioning, even Italy and many other countries in eastern Europe suffered decreased gas amount from Russia in this dispute.
Mr Joe Micallef
Jan 12th, 12:54
Silly as it is, one must recognise that so far this is the best articulated clutching at straws! Prosit Buhagiar
Denis Pace
Jan 12th, 13:42
Thats because the Russian pipeline crossed Ukrainian territory with the Ukrainians getting anything in return!!!!!
John Bonello
Jan 12th, 13:43
@MB
PT1 while true there is less emission from LNG, your technically incorrect on the subject as LNG has an efficiency of between 40-45%, again one pipe line to risky, the pipe line has nothing to do with ITALY itself. The pipe line is to connect with the EU network, so the Russian-Ukrainian is irrelevant in this case,
John Bonello
Jan 12th, 13:44
PT2. but we could be in that situation if we convert our plant and storage facility to store LNG and then there is an industrial dispute between Enemalta and the supplier which in this case are the private investors, as if they shut down the power plant we won’t be able to operate, enemalta would not have the HFO or the LNG fuel to operate the power plant itself.
John Bonello
Jan 12th, 13:47
PT3. With the pipe line supplying us the fuel we would still be able to convert to operate on HFO, if you read the contract the government published online months ago (unlike MLP), you would know that the plant proposed by the PN is dual fuel, so that gives us the flexibly in the future to use which ever fuel is cheaper on the international market
Mario Buhagiar
Jan 12th, 14:19
Dennis I dont understand what u mean
JB: however LNG only forms CO2 and H2O when burnt. HFO contains N, S compounds, forms soot, smog and PAHs. also correct me if i'm wrong but EU gets gas from Russia. and in the Ukraine-Russian event, 1/2 europe including EU countries like italy, greece and czech suffered dearly. PL is proposing to leave the powerstation as it is (i.e. can still operate with HFO)
John Bonello
Jan 12th, 14:56
No you wont be able to use the HFO after as all the storgae facilites and pumping stations would be converted by then. get your fact right before you speak mario
Mario Buhagiar
Jan 12th, 15:17
As long as I know part of the powerstation would remain the same. I heard the presentation well. I know he said if the ground is not solid enough we can store the gas in the oil tanks. but part of the main part of the power station will not be changed. I'm sure he said that if the gas supply finishes we would be able to change back to HFO, in case of an emergency in the presentation
John Bonello
Jan 12th, 15:39
yes mario but were you gonna store the HFO if the tanks are used for LNG storge, do you honestly think that anytime you can replace the gas with HFO, don't you think that all this is a gimmick go and do somereaserch on the net get your fact correct first and then come up with your own conclusion....I am an electrical engineer with 20 years in oil and gas I'm writing this from Norway
Carmel (Nenu) Aquilina
Jan 12th, 11:54
Tajba din, lewwel taffiġa u imbgħad titlaq, u lill Maltin U l-Għawdxin tħallihom imsalba, bħal ma kont ser tħallina imsalbin bl-Isvizzera fil-Mediterran!
Mela allura tina l-informazzjoni kollha, u taħbiha minnha!
Emanuel. Vella.
Jan 12th, 12:37
sitta u hamsin GURNATA ohra BISS jonqos.
Emanuel. Vella.
Jan 12th, 13:39
tajba din,l-ewwel 25 sena fil-gvern u il-power station tal-marsa tibqa hemm issallab in-nies,bhal ma salbitna l-ue,u issa qed tghidli ' tina l-informazzjoni kollha u tahbihiex minni,jigri jghaddu dawn l-ahhar 56 jum li FADAL '.
Mr Joe Micallef
Jan 12th, 11:51
Oh I see so inept Cyprus Joe pledges to leave if the plan fails and we common mortals are left to foot the bill.
Joe Busuttil
Jan 12th, 14:00
At least he won't stay on like those who burdened you and your descendants with a 5 billion Euro debt.(Not to mention Enemalta debt, Arriva fiasco, Millions overspent on a hospital which is too small for the country etc ) And be assured ,the PL did not make use of the Yellow pages.
anthony sultana
Jan 12th, 11:50
Any common sense person can find a way how to subsidise a power station and reduce tariffs. Remember that there is lots of tax evasion in Malta,only the small income people pay tax,the others they let go.
Vincent Cassar
Jan 12th, 14:06
Yes, ask Tonio Fenech and the mysterious VAT department case; or ask the same Tonio fenech about the 4,000,000 Euro commission and then the guy became amnesic.
Charles Cremona
Jan 12th, 11:42
What the Labour party is proposing cannot be achieved in the proposed timescale, to build a new power station from scratch will take at least five years, additionally, the cost of electricity and water is unlikely to come down because it all depends on the price of oil, we already heavily subsidise the price of energy especially water, which costs a lot of money to produce, its all pie in the sky.
Vincent Cassar
Jan 12th, 14:05
It's an extention, u unit, capisc??? NOT A POWER STATION!
*Joseph Brincat
Jan 12th, 11:42
Gonzi pn energy plan
The so called gas pipeline has to be studied
The so called gas pipeline, to do it takes 6 to ?? years
The so called gas pipeline has to be approved by the EU
So if it will not be approved by the EU
We will be back to square one that is >>>>
http://heathersanimations.com/weird/LadyZombie.gif
John Bonello
Jan 12th, 13:12
Here Mr Brincat this proves you wrong ??
http://finance.gov.mt/image.aspx?site=MFIN&ref=ENI%20Gas%20Pipeline%20Final%20Report_2
http://finance.gov.mt/image.aspx?site=MFIN&ref=ENI%20Gas%20Pipeline%20Final%20Report_1
http://finance.gov.mt/image.aspx?site=MFIN&ref=CBA%20Final%20Report
J Martinelli
Jan 12th, 14:02
*Joseph Brincat, you are still orbiting the wrong planet.
You conveniently forgot that as the pipeline is negotiated & mostly financed by the EU, the Inter-connector will come on stream early 2014.
How much funding will Joseph get from the EU for his 'Alice in Wonderland' fantasy? None, zilch, nada. The taxpayer will carry all the risks & expense. Brilliant ain't it?
Labour won't work. Never did.
*Joseph Brincat
Jan 12th, 14:20
John Bonello , I CAN NOT SEE THAT YOUR COMMENT PROVES ME WRONG ??
*Joseph Brincat
Jan 12th, 14:26
J Martinelli The so called gas pipeline, " IF " it will not be approved by the EU to do it takes 6 to ?? years
BUT WE WONT IT NOW >>>>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfLD-7bCtME
Michael Seychell
Jan 12th, 16:01
JB - Tonio said outrightly that the gas pipeline will take about 5 years to materialise, but he also said that the same time span is necessary for the unwanted Mizzi's Power Station. Perit Cacopardo, M. Briguligo & many others agreed with Tonio that this project will take 5 years to do. By the way Conrad's project led to JM's 1st. victim, his energy expert Joe Mizzi.
M. Seychell Tal-Pieta
Francis Saliba M.D.
Jan 12th, 11:37
It goes without saying that when the energy "plan" fails, whether by the voters wisely rejecting it, or when an elected LP led by Joseph Muscat fails ti implement it, Joseph Muscat would be doomed and he would have to go, willy nilly. That precedent was firmly established by Sant after the predicted VAT debacle.
Charles J. Buttigieg
Jan 13th, 09:12
If Dr.Gonzi had any self pride he would have resigned after the Brazil Samba let alone his 500 Euros and other big gaffes. To resign is an honorary way out,staying on regardless is a crime.
james zammit
Jan 12th, 11:33
Ma naqbilx ma Joseph ghax jekk l-affarijiet isiru sew m-ghandux ifalli u kulhadd qed jifhem il-pjan barra Tonio u Gonzi li ma jifhmu xejn hlief tbazwir. Jien ivvutajjt PN darba u qatt izjed ghax gvern mahmug u mbazwar qatt ma rajt f'ghomri. Il-PN dejjem jghidu l=-kelma'gimmicks' u l-papri jirrispondu bhalu imma tal-labour messhom jghidulhom politikalment korrotti.
Vincent Cassar
Jan 12th, 14:04
That makes two of us!
Joseph Galea
Jan 12th, 11:32
X differenza bejn iz-zewg partiti. U l-ministru li ghamel fjask mil-bidu sal-ahhar tal-arriva baqa ipappija sal-ahhar! Mhux hekk biss talli imbotta lil Delia!
joseph saliba
Jan 12th, 12:32
Imma dan ghadu ma rrizenjax, hux hekk?
Joseph Fenech
Jan 12th, 12:51
Mela wehlitlek il labra se tibqa tejdila fjask l Arriva? Mur irkibhom l ewwel ha tinduna humiex fjask.
Robert Lewis
Jan 12th, 13:49
@ Joseph Fenech. Mela aghmel bicca xoghol sur Fenech. Mur igbor booklet tar rotta 42 (printed gdid) u oqghod stenna fuq il bus stop skond il booklet u niggarantilek li tibqa tistenna. Ma nafx fuq r-rotot l-ohra ghax dak tlabt. Imbaghad ejja u ikteb il kumment tieghek.
J Martinelli
Jan 12th, 14:14
"...imbotta lill Delia"?
Anzi ma qatalux rasu bhal ma Joseph qata ras Anglu! AG baqa sa l-ahhar ghax ma kienx ha jhalli lill FD jibbuljah. Sewwa ghamel u haqqu proset. AG ghandu sinsla w ma jinqediex b'haddiehor bhal ma jaghmel Gowzef Muscat. Tghid Toni Abela jmissu, jitlef rasu?
Issa naraw il-farsa li qed tinhadem bejn Gowzef u Jason. Partit tal-Laqx.
Sanford (Louis) & Son (Joey) junk dealers.
joseph saliba
Jan 12th, 11:31
I wouldn't go. The country's progress depends on a number of other factors.
Daniel Galea
Jan 12th, 11:25
I am one of those 84% of participants in a Xarabank survey showed they do not believe the LP initiative is doable and viable.
This is reinforced further when I heard the PL expert saying that he will go for an underground gas storage tanks if their first proposal is not doable.This is highly a irresponsible proposal and against the EU safety regulations and I am speechless coming from an espert
J Martinelli
Jan 12th, 14:21
The LP wisdom is unfathomable.
First they spend millions finding out that surface storage is not feasible, then they spend more millions for underground storage. Where?. High pressure gas storage is not like boring a tunnel. It requires special reinforcements and other suitable measures. Storing huge amounts of LNG is risky and if anything had to go wrong, what about environmental impacts?
John Bonello
Jan 12th, 15:01
Those claims by the LP experts show that they have not done their howework properly and the proposal is of ill judgment from the MLP experts. like tonio fenech said it was only a desktop review of the project, so there are hunders of answered questions on this issue. how do they expect us to trust them when they had all the time in the world to conduct a proper survey, what about the cost now ???
Mr B Vella
Jan 12th, 11:24
While the business community is waiting for a change in Government to welcome the Energy Plan Promised by Labour .........we have these Negative Bloggers ....the time is now let's be positive and don't be afraid from change after all Malta needs change, Malta taghna Lkoll. !
carlos ellul
Jan 12th, 11:20
It seems that Joseph is trying to introduce an alternative and more effective way of governance where everyone is accountable for his actions. Its bring a bit a fresh air to the current colonialist like management were ministers and PM are untouchable.
E Gatt
Jan 12th, 11:19
If Joseph Muscat had to resign or not, we the taxpayers will still be around to pay for his expensive vanity.
Charles Busuttil
Jan 12th, 12:28
Aren't you still around and paying for the Arriva debacle? Austin Gatt, who was totally responsible for it is still here to the bitter end, and worse than this, he is pushing his assistant, Manwel Delia, forward!
R Abela
Jan 12th, 12:36
like we did with the arriva ,bwsc and fairmount fiasco the only difference is that nobody ever resigned!
Vincent Cassar
Jan 12th, 14:00
@Charles Busuttil: Not exactly: His elves (Claudio, Manwel) will still be around.
Anthony Farrugia
Jan 12th, 11:08
Joseph Muscat can leave right now as his cunning plan is a non-starter !
*Joseph Brincat
Jan 12th, 11:25
Anthony Farrugia
let's face it the pn know that they are the losers in this election
so what they are trying to do is to have some seats in the opposition
Joe Grech
Jan 12th, 11:33
@ Anthony Farrugia - Your comment is politically biased - if you know what that means. You supply no reasons to back up your silly remark!
Jesmar Cutajar
Jan 12th, 11:53
He has given his word my friend. GonziPN failed us for these 5 years but they have gripped the seat of power. Nobody has resigned for their failures. Did Austin Gatt resign over the Arriva fiasco? Mr.Farrugia, if the utility bills are lowered, are you going to refuse them or do you want to continue to pay high rates?
Anthony Farrugia
Jan 12th, 12:58
Well all of you must have missed Tonio Fenech knocking out Konrad Mizzi yesterday. Konrad Mizzi is a liability to PL/MLP as Anglu (remember him !) Farrugia; where did Labour find Konrad Mizzi, in a Xmas cracker ! lol
Anthony Farrugia
Jan 12th, 13:02
Was it Cromwell who said "In God's name, GO" !
Anthony Farrugia
Jan 12th, 13:05
Jesmar Cutajar : I do not pay high utility rates as I am a responsible user with no waste not like some who comment here who have no idea what their priorities are !
Joe Busuttil
Jan 12th, 13:50
You Nats. from Simon to Gonzi to the humblest PNer, have embarked on a scaremongering campaign. Shame on you all ,and I can assure you that the people,with very few exceptions, are not so stupid as to believe you. Your capo once declared that there is a lack of talent in the PN. He was right . Why don't you acknowledge the fact that the PL can achieve what various Nat. ministers failed to do?
Joseph Cauchi Senior
Jan 12th, 11:02
It is understood that if this energy proposal were to fail Joseph Muscat would resign!
Everybody with some common sense can see that this proposal is not viable and will not reduce the tariffs, unless of course burdened with further taxes!
So Joe, it would be better to start preparing your luggage now, before it’s too late!
JC.
Joe Grech
Jan 12th, 11:34
Yours is another silly, politically biased comment! Grow up....supply reasons for your infantile remarks.
Joe Mallia
Jan 12th, 11:37
The man continues to amaze. His hunger for power is insatiable. Remember you were never elected by the people but by your minority in opposition so lower it down by a few notches. Your public image dosen't reflect your true status.
Vincent Cassar
Jan 12th, 13:59
And what qualifications and technical expertise do you have to label this as not a viable proposal? Some people, my God, have big mouths and mountain-size pretensions... amateurs? was that the word used by Gonzi yesterday?..yes, we have a bunch of them, here...and more like charlatans! Now, Professor of what, kindly explain to us the counter-proposal.
jm busuttil
Jan 12th, 10:53
Imma il-hsara tkun saret. Dik serjeta.
Joe Grech
Jan 12th, 11:36
Il-hsar saret meta Gonzi PN ordna estensjoni ghall-Power Station li tahdem mhux bil-gas imma bil-fuel. Power Station li ghandu BISS SENA GARANZIJA U DIGA QED JAGHTI L-PROBLEMI! Dawn huma FATTI u mhux dak li ktibt int habib!
Charles Busuttil
Jan 12th, 12:30
Kemm kellna hsarat kbar dan l-ahhar 5 snin u hadd ma rrizenja!
Francis Saliba M.D.
Jan 12th, 09:53
Whilst it is very commendable that air pollution be reduced drastically it has to be pointed out that cancer of the lung, asthma and chronic lung infections are rampant all over the world in people who have never been anywhere near our power stations and most people are at much greater risk from smoking in inadequately ventilated small spaces such as family cars, bedrooms etc.
Joseph John Camilleri
Jan 12th, 11:31
Whilst I am in full support about this woman's family, I believe there are people in Malta who live far from the Delimara power station and are sick with cancer and asthma. It could also be that this is due to genetics as many families on the island and indeed the world over suffer from some kind of illness due to genetics in their family line, such as cancer, heart problems and may others.
Joe Grech
Jan 12th, 11:40
As usual Francis Saliba comes up with his politically biased comment to try to make the PN's blunders look alright! This chap has a one track mind ready to reduce himself to ridicule with his unjustified and impractical comments.
It may be that he does not actually Live Here - which may explain his irresponsibility!
Mario Buhagiar
Jan 12th, 12:06
so we double the risk? even for non-smokers?
Reuben D. Spiteri
Jan 12th, 15:47
Cancer isn't even caused by the smoke, but rather, the inability of one's body to STOP the repair process. This is all a matter of eating a good diet. The process is like follows:
1. Body gets damaged by something (fumes, etc)
2. Body starts healing and repairing the damage.
3. Injury healed but no stop signal is received at injury site.
4. Site goes rogue and forms a tumour, leading to cancer.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Jan 12th, 16:06
@ Joe Grech.
How about some logical argument to back up your brash opinions?
Francis Saliba M.D.
Jan 12th, 16:11
@MarioBuhagiar
One does not need any superlative intelligence to understand that my simple phrase " ... it is very commendable that air pollution be reduced drastically ..." does not support your sarcastic "so we double the risk".
J. Camilleri
Jan 12th, 09:40
Dik is-serjeta tal-leader taghna Joseph Muscat, ser jerfa ir-responsabiita politika fuq dan l-progett tal-energija.
X' differenza mill-partit nazzjonalista!
C. Bartoli
Jan 12th, 11:49
Imma il-hsara tkun saret. Dik serjeta.
C. Bartoli
Jan 12th, 11:50
u sa san it-tant nitilfu il-flus mill EU!
Peter Zahra
Jan 12th, 12:18
J Muscat jmisu jghati garanzija cara li jekk jrahhas id dawl u l ilma ma jghollix it taxxi biex jimla il hofra li jkun ghamel ghal ebusija ta rasu !!! X jiswa li jrahasli xi €300 f sena biex imbghad ma jimplementax per ezempju t tnehhija ta taxxa fuq il wirt ta propjeta mil geneturi li thabret f dan l budget ?? Kif jghid il Malti b din il proposta ta labour z zalza gejja ghola mil huta !!!
Denis Pace
Jan 12th, 13:44
Mhux ahjar ttina r-rapporti milli qabda gimmicks!!
charles v schembri
Jan 12th, 09:36
LP initiative for reduction of W&E bills will certainly take place if LP is in government.
It would take place irrespective of capital costs and operational costs that according to Prof Ed Scicluna could be recycled from other Ministerial votes.
But yesterday 84% of participants in a Xarabank survey showed they do not believe the LP initiative is doable and viable.
People what to hear truth
Joe Grech
Jan 12th, 11:41
I take Xarabank ''surveys'' with a huge pinch of salt! I do not think that they are that dependable.
Pawlu Agius
Jan 12th, 09:30
The irony is that the super tall chimney at Delimara power station makes it impossible for even the slightest drop of emissions to fall on nearby MarsaXlokk!!! And the PL are proposing to topple it! Maybe the their innovative gas plant will have a smaller chimney (so as not to obscure the skyline!) and pity the Xlukkajri that would have to inhale directly the emissions. Where is the Local council?
Pawlu Agius
Jan 12th, 11:27
With this cancer/ asthma claim on DPS, the PL has fallen to such ridiculuous levels that now I am expecting them to state that all Enemalta workers, especially those that work at Delimara power station, are being diagnosed with cancer and asthma!!!
I want to see Joseph Muscat on SuperOne with the journalists next to the computer at MXlokk LC showing emissions from DPS chimneys.
Mario Buhagiar
Jan 12th, 12:06
you have no idea of chemistry it seems. methane (LNG) only produces carbon dioxide and water when burnt. heavy fuel oil forms several carcinogens and asthmatic causing gases.
Please choose the reason of your report below: