The Big Debate: Send your questions

Dominic Vella

Feb 26th, 21:18

I want to know how Joseph Muscat could say that the drug issue is case closed. Does he not worry that those who were abusing on his property might be pushing drugs to our children today, right now. These persons are still at large because someone failed to report them. Would you like this situation happening to your children?

anthony sultana

Feb 26th, 09:43

Mistoqsija lil-Gonzi.Jekk jirbah il-PL allura jkunu jigvernew huma,ahna tal - PN kemm ghandna nikkoperaw mal-gvern tal-PL fil hidma tieghu?Jew namlulu l-bsaten fir- roti halli jider li qiejed jmexxi hazin? X"namlu f"xi-kass li-tal-PL jkunu jimxu bil-preferenzi, u joqodu jazlu jekk intix PL jew PN biex jejnuk fil-bzonnijiet tiejek?

jm busuttil

Feb 25th, 20:25

I would like to know if Joseph Muscat will resign and CALL AN ELECTION if the new power station is not complete and producing lower cost energy within two years from the 10th March , 2013

Vincent Mercieca

Feb 25th, 17:32

Why should I ask questions.
Whoever answers the questions will surly say what the public wants to hear and if elected does what he pleases.
What a waste of time. Give us a break from this long campaign as if these remaining days were all March 8th.

A.M. Galea

Feb 25th, 15:53

Mistoqsija għall Dr Lawrence Gonzi . Jekk teġa tkun fil-gvern , lest li tagħmel il-liġi tal-Whistleblower b'effett retroattiv ? Jekk tkun b'effett retroattiv , b'kemm zmien ? Lest li jekk jitressaqlek kas ta' inġustizzja minħabba korruzzjoni , u li wara li jkun investigat jinstab li min ressqu għandu raġun , lest li tirrimedja biex min sofra inġustizzja , issir ġustizzja miegħu ?

Tony Borg

Feb 25th, 15:32

to Dr Gonzi. A loan without interests, is it not described as a gift of hundreds of thousands of euros worth of interest? What are your ethics in this situation?

Mr Andrew Camilleri

Feb 25th, 14:38

To Dr Gonzi: you criticised the LP after Anglu Farrugia expressed his worry that the LP seems to be getting closer to business. Yet you have admitted that PN as taken a soft loan from Zaren Vassallo. Do not you think that the PN has got too close for the country's comfort that you should be on such close terms with a leading businessman? Isn't your criticism of the PL a bit hypocritical now?

Daniel Zarb

Feb 25th, 12:31

What is the priority that both leaders will give to project management in a way that targets can be achieved on time and unnecessary spending curbed?? Thank you.

Sandro Gatt

Feb 25th, 11:16

Can Dr.Muscat give us at least an indication, or a target regarding employment figure (or about) before He will be elected Prim Minister on the 10th of March ?
Can Dr.Gonzi confirm that if He will be confirmed as Prim Minister on the 10th March, his Cabinet will impliment the whistle blower act and threat this as an urgent issue ?
BDW if have to thank all the politicians for their work & efforts

Michaela Portelli

Feb 23rd, 13:58

To PL:

at the moment children of form 1 and form2 of St. Beneditto and St. Thomas More are in one school together - St. Luccia. The school is badly overcrowded. The plan of the PN was to build the girls secondary of St. Beneditto next. If PL will be in goverment will they build this school as well or what other solution is planned?

j brincat

Feb 21st, 09:05

@Julian Borg

"The PN is committing itself to creating 25,000 new jobs, having created 20,000 ..."

The figure of 20,000 is grossly exaggerated and NOT backed by statistical data.

It could well have reached 20,000 HAD GonziPN honoured one of his many unkept promises made in 2008 ie if Smart City did indeed employ the 7000 IT students !

Empty talk is simply superfluous!

jb

Julian Borg

Feb 20th, 19:38

The PN is committing itself to creating 25,000 new jobs, having created 20,000 in the last 5 years. The PL has been trying to outsmart the PN on every proposal- why is it that on this proposal the PL is refusing to commit itself? Surely, if it could creat more than 25,000 it would be boasting abotu it - do you blame the electorate for believing you are incapable of achieving this target?

Ray Buhagiar

Feb 20th, 18:59

Malta Taghna Lkoll - Veru - Imma partit wiehed biss jista jkun fil-Gvern. Aghzlu sew, bil-hsieb u mhux bil-qalb.

Richard Farrugia

Feb 20th, 18:18

Fuq il-professionisti u tal-hwienet hadd ma jghaddi kumment! Ghaliex? Wara i-gvern dawn jintaxxaw il-poplu b"mod feroci? Mhux biss jiekluna sa mill-bidu tal-hajja izda f'hajjitna kollha u sad-difna. Hadd ma ghandu il-gattz li jzommilhom il-hatfa tahhom fuq iz-zghir? Forsi hemm xi tangentopoli akbar minn taz-zejt u droga? Kollox huwa sew? Jien nghid LE “pretty faces”!!!

Richard Farrugia

Feb 20th, 18:04

Oil scandal is now progressing. The blokka silg is defrosting. Many pertinent questions on taxation r not raised. Voters need 2 know how much d medicine sales profit % should be; and the tax rate hidden in the fuel of our car tanks is? How r we to battle the daily food consumption bills? These issues were not addressed by anyone, WHY? R we 2 have cheap labour for d sake of profits to investors?

Anthony Paul Naudi

Feb 20th, 17:47

Nixtieq nistaqsi lil PN, PL U AD meta il-penzjonanti ser jigu ezentati mit taxxa fuq il-penzjoni ?

Anthony Paul Naudi

Feb 20th, 17:44

Kull darba li jkun hemm dibattitu politiku bejn dawn it-tlieta , dejjem tisma l-istess haga. Kieku jaghmlu CD forsi jiffrankaw ftit mill gargi taghhom.

Alex Ellul

Feb 20th, 17:23

If the price of gas is so 'cheap' that the PL can reduce gas-powered electricity by 25%, then how come the household gas is not mentioned at all by the PL?. Yesterday we had the UK being warned of the impending explosionof the price of LNG? Can JM explain this please?

Mark Bonnici

Feb 20th, 16:52

Unfortunately, until now we only heard bad criticism about each other proposals. So my question is: Could each one of the three leaders state one or two good things proposed by each of the other two leaders and which they or their respective party failed to propose?

R Casha

Feb 20th, 16:38

To Both PN and PL:

How can the parties guarantee that they will keep ALL the promises they stated in their manifestos? How can they be accountable and responsible should they don't keep their promises?

Thanks.

Luciano Pace Parascandalo

Feb 20th, 15:39

i wonder why none of the two parties have commented on the taxes paid on fuels we use in our cars. personally for both family cars i spend about 80 euro a week....honestly this affects me more that the home electricity ever can.....can anyone do something about this? especially since the PN has already promised a 2cent per liter increase should the budget be implemented

Lawrence Fenech

Feb 20th, 15:13

M'hemmx paragun " we are still in time" vera Gonz ghadkhom fiz-zmien biex tibdew tippakkjaw.

John Micallef

Feb 20th, 14:52

Would any of the leaders commit to pass a law asap that prohibits pre-election gimmicks by governments (stop any hiring, gifts, fast applications etc for 3 months before the elections) and the shredding of public office documents before an election? Will anyone commit to pass a decent party financing law which should show both cash and services revenue (including bartering)?

Anthony Camilleri

Feb 20th, 14:39

Why is it that no one of the parties wants to deal with the ever present smell of rotten rubbish coming out of the St. Antnin Plant in the summer months? This problem was not even solved with the upgrading which apparently cost in excess of €20m. I have been personally complaining with Wasteserv, MEPA & the local council since 2010.

Joe A. Borg

Feb 20th, 14:12

Environment:

My feeling is that the environment has been put on the back burner this time round and more importance is given to the economic drivers of the economy, such as the construction industry, and we all know how much MEPA is reluctant to take action against these people.

J Farrugia

Feb 20th, 13:50

Unknown fathers, single so called mums, so called unemployed, people working with no reciepts, Doctors/lawyers/profs etc etc earning a fortune and only paying pittance in taxes/vat. Roads, Govt depts totally useless, law courts a disaster. i could go on and on.

john mizzi

Feb 20th, 13:08

i am a pensioner and still work part time and pay the n i which is not considered towards the pension since i did not have enough ni paid my pension is not full ' is it posible that the ni i'm paying now be considered towerds the pension thank you

Alfred J. McEwen

Feb 20th, 12:44

Illegal Immigration..What are both parties going to do about it?

carmel cassar

Feb 20th, 12:39

For those who receives a service pension, when they are going to receive their rightful whole two third, during the first year or the fifth to serve as another bait for the next election. That is if they are going to receive it at all. All the PL said is that they looks into it. The AD didn't mention this or have I missed it somehow.

Mary Rose Ellul

Feb 20th, 12:29

Corruption is very bad and I strongly condemn it! But I would ask: Would anyone vote for the least corrupt or for the one most capable?!

J. Scicluna

Feb 20th, 11:55

No Prime Minister should hold more than 2 Terms, irrespective whether his/her Party is voted into power; a' la US Presidency.

Will any of the major Parties be ready to make the necessary changes in the Electoral Law?

C MIFSUD

Feb 20th, 11:54

Birzebbuga:
It is positive that the gas plant has been transferred to another location from Qajjenza. I understand there might be safety procedures to follow before the old plant is dismantled. But what are the real plans for the fuel depot containing massive tanks in the middle of houses near the Bush monument area? Do we have real dated plans to migrate these large hazards to uninhabited areas?

C MIFSUD

Feb 20th, 11:45

Birzebbuga:
Why is the road from the Freeport to the parish church a complete disaster? Is there no money to make a decent road for residents? Works are progressing at the Freeport extension, so why isn't the area for the residents being given attention as well? Do we just make projects and forget the people? Nobody pays us for the damage to our cars.

Ronnie Callus

Feb 20th, 11:43

If the persons alleged with illegal commissions under the PN government are found guilty, is Dr.Gonzi going to compensate us people the money stolen through ! reduction of tariffs.

Nicholas Borg

Feb 20th, 11:42

A question re the national debt, since a large percentage of our national debt is local, to what extent will a new government be need to borrow from international sources of finance.

C MIFSUD

Feb 20th, 11:41

Birzebbuga:
Why has this location been left aside for years now? If one walks to the Freeport terminal notices that extension works towards the bocci club are progressing, soffocating the promenade for the public more than it is. Therefore why is the situation of the waterpolo pitch not the same? Why has this been left in a very dangerous and ugly manner to the detriment of residents and visitors?

Ronnie Callus

Feb 20th, 11:39

Illegal Emigration.
What does the parties are going to do wiuth regards to the illegal emigration (klandestines). So far we had many and EU countries took only tens of them to help us from this burden.Being so a small country we were/are being over loaded and the PN did words than concrete action.

m. borg (slm)

Feb 20th, 11:33

TMr Brigulio should AD elect a member who happens to be the balance with which party will AD form a coalition?

Would AD insist on the Ghadira problem when there are more important problems at hand like the energy tariffs, to give its support?

What are AD's ideas on how to generate jobs, their policy about health care and education?

m. borg (slm)

Feb 20th, 11:29

Dr Muscat what are PL's plans to conserve water are their any major projects that will gather the rain water lost to sea?

What are PL's plans to give jobs for those above 50-55 years, would PL consider forming a "corp" for this age group since a lot of employers do not employ people of that age?

What are PL's plans for the White Rocks complex.?

martin Felice

Feb 20th, 11:27

Have Dr Lawrence Gonzi with his Ministers returned the 500 Euros of their increase, to the finance Minister or they kept them , although Dr Simon Busutill said he would not have that increase if he was in the Cabinet?

jimi Xerri

Feb 20th, 11:27

Malta has achieved Euro 1.128 billion Euros from the EU after tough negotiations. Having this still to be rectified by the European Parliament, could Dr Gonzi and Dr Muscat please tell us what is being done to secure this deal, as the current notion is that the budget might not be approved in EU parliament?
Can Dr Muscat asure us that Mr Swoboda will not again vote against the interests of Malta?

JOSEPH mercieca

Feb 20th, 11:24

When are we as e u citizens going to be able to buy non prescription medicine such as pain killers and cough mixtures from supermarkets .In the u k for instance I can get these products easily from convenience stores . Most protection has been removed but not from pharmacies

P. Attard

Feb 20th, 11:14

The two major parties have promised us heaven on earth; good!; but can they please say something about any sour pills that we would have to swollow? Can they propose to install some discipline among the population? I honestly think that our greed and egoism is ruining all our values. Look at the way we drive, how we obstruct pavements to have a talk; old, useless aerials on roofs .....

C Muscat

Feb 20th, 10:40

Country Economics
the 5 billion debt; is this right and what has the government to show. Was this approved beforehand by the parliament especially now that we know that the PN did not enjoy the majority in parliament.
Power of Incumbency:
Those in favour of the ruling party have all doors open; if you decide to criticise the governing bodies than you are completely blacklisted.

C Muscat

Feb 20th, 10:37

Pensioners
Today the fate of anyone reaching the retirement age is in the hands of the employer completely. I have a family of 6 and was fired for my age; and ETC do not accept to register for a job.
At 62 it is difficult to find a new employment and to add insult to injury the employer just hire and fire at will without any justification.

Joseph N. Attard

Feb 20th, 10:36

Elderly disabled children. Much is being rightfully promised for young disabled children. But only vague promises of help to the thousands of old parents with grown up totally dependent disabled children. We need concrete and tangible help NOW. To both parties, what will you do immediately you are elected?

C Muscat

Feb 20th, 10:33

Oil Products;
Water, electricity, diesel, petrol etc; prices should be tied to the international rate of oil; so i always requested as a normal citizen to have these tied to the international rate and for the period as that procured by the country. If we had this public the commissions would have been noted.

Eman Pulis

Feb 20th, 10:31

What are the political parties' plans to attract investment from outside the EU? More specifically, what initiatives will be taken to attract more paying students from outside the EU to study in Malta?

W. Cassar

Feb 20th, 10:31

I would like to know what they are going to do about the uprooting of trees. Will the PN continue to replace trees with concrete? What will a new PL government do regarding urban environment ? We need forward thinking and planning... something the Maltese are not good at.

Joseph N. Attard

Feb 20th, 10:30

Armier and other shanty towns built illegally on stolen land. The two main political parties have not given any firm commitment to demolish them and return the land to the public, its rightful owner. Unless they make such a firm commitment, their vague promises are worth nothing. Voters will keep that in mind at the ballot box.

Mr ALBERT LEONE GANADO

Feb 20th, 10:30

My Question. To both leaders
Why have both leaders in the main ignored the plight of pensioners and the raw deal they are getting both in their pension, return on their hard earned savings and access to old peoples' home. Is it because pensioners who form one third of the population, are less vociferous in their demands, more loyal in their allegiances and therefore taken for granted.

Albert Caligari Conti

Feb 20th, 10:30

when Louis Grech in his early interviews on national TV just after becoming 2nd in line of Pl said that if Pl was elected and promises which were made were found to be impossible to deliver would come back and tell the nation.Was he making deceleration in the name of his party?With these comments voters would have wasted there vote!

Julian Borg

Feb 20th, 10:25

I would like to know if Joseph Muscat will resign if the new power station is not complete and producing lower cost energy on 10th March 2014. If there is a delay and he subsidises tariffs from taxes then he will have failed. This is crucial. It will be very easy to subsidise the tariffs if there is a delay but that is not on!

P Borg

Feb 20th, 10:22

I have only one question, which is crucial to their integrity: We need to know exactly and clearly - WHEN did the leaders get to know about the scandals brought up lately - the oil procurement scandal and the drugs scandal? The timing of these scandals is as scandalous as the scandals themselves!

anthony sultana

Feb 20th, 10:17

I need to know,when they are going to stop the hunting in spring.
To remove all the man-made eyesores from the countryside,and let every one to enjoy the countrysides,not just the birds killers and trappers. Stop the net fishing close to our shores.
Good service from all the government workers which we never had.
Fix all the roads,instead of making useless projects.
Full respect to every person. Thx

Joe Pace Asciak

Feb 20th, 10:15

If Labour is elected, will stipends be paid to students who opt to enroll in foreign tertiary education institutions operating in Malta?

marcus bonello

Feb 20th, 10:09

To the leader of the opposition, Dr. Joseph Muscat .
Malta is one healthy and quite well off little island, with quite a good reputation.
Please explain why, management of this prospering country, should be entrusted to you and your team, and not the existing team of Dr. Lawrence Gonzi , who seems to have achieved quite some remarkable results.
Please, also show your credentials and qualification

Mr Mike Farrugia

Feb 20th, 09:54

Any plans for an underground public transport system?
The car registration rebate issue?
A real tax compliance system?
Don't ministers feel accountable when their sub ordinates mismanage public funds?

Carl Callus

Feb 20th, 09:52

1. Is not telling the truth acceptable?

2. Do you consider this campaign as one of the worst since gaining Independence?

3. Is basing one's arguments on secretly taped conversations acceptable?

*Joseph Brincat

Feb 20th, 09:40

Medicine out of stock ,
The PN say if the medicine is out of stock you go and get it from the pharmacy !!
one , you have to go and find which pharmacy have it ??
two ,if the pharmacy do not have it then you have to wait for it ??
so don't you think that the PL suggestion is better, for he will share hold the responsibility
and get it in 24 hours ??

R ferriggi

Feb 20th, 09:36

my question:

we are in 2013 and the leaders seem to have forgotten SOMETHING.

WHY,,,,, HAVE THE TWO PARTIES LEFT THESE ''SCANDALS'' FOR THE LAST MONTH BEFORE THE ELECTION?

FRANKLY,,,, I THINK THAT THIS IS OBSCENE. IF THESE WHERE CRIMINAL CASES, WHY ARE WE HEARING ABOUT THEM NOW?

I DO NOT ACCEPT THAT THESE CASES HAVE NOT BEEN DIVULGED BUY THE PARTIES THEMSELVES.

Maria Mangion

Feb 20th, 09:32

Il kampanja elettorali tal PN cara biex tkun tajjeb trid tkun BLU , mhux ghax dan ma kienx car sal llum izda Dr Simon iccara l affarijiet mhux ftit bl istil gdid ta' politika GDIDA. l importanti hu li wara 9 ta' Marzu jkollna politika ta' INKLUZZJONI ghax jekk le inkunu bqajna fejn konna. Mistoqsijjiet ma ghandix id differenza cara, biss wiehed irid joqod attent anke ghal dak li ma jintqalx.

Alfred Falzon

Feb 20th, 09:26

What about replacing d present out-of-the-way Public Library by one easily accessible to all & sundry?

D Floriana one is reached through a steep incline with no pavement, a risk to life & limb in view of the heavy traffic that this area is renowned for.

D building itself is far from inviting, lacks books & interactive material for children. It's a real Cinderella!

D people deserve better!

aaf

Mr Stefan Cutajar

Feb 20th, 09:09

With the current situation of thousands of vacant units of property, a weakened real estate and construction market and the claustrophobic scenario of having a non-existent countryside, what are the two main parties' policies in regards to these areas?. How will the reforms in MEPA strike a balance between sustainable development and the conservation of the Maltese environmental heritage?

Albert Pace

Feb 20th, 09:09

What about removing political parties from local council elections and everybody contesting as independent?

Mr Joe Cardona

Feb 20th, 09:06

We need action and not bla bla bla bla. Why don't the government take the bull by its horns and real action. How these people didn't find employment in the famous 20,000 jobs created byt GonziPN.

Mr Joe Cardona

Feb 20th, 09:04

Yes, there is a topic ignored by Dr L. Gonzi. How he is going to employ those people who have more than 45 years old, especially those over 50 who are being ignored by the Private Sector as they search for younger age to be employed and despite their experience, knowledge and qualifications are being sidelined? Please don't mention the ETC Schemes or other schemes no-one bother to go through them.

Neil Zammit

Feb 20th, 09:02

No body talked about about Animal Welfare and the lack of determination the Animal Welfare department is showing. It started on a good foot but lately lots of bad news has been running around facebook. What are the 3 parties going to do to reduce animal cruelty and catch offenders? Are there plans to create more dog parks? and will there ever be an animal friendly beach?

Thanks

Mr Mike Farrugia

Feb 20th, 08:52

Any plans to shrink parlament to 39 members and local councils to 5 (with sub committees)?