The prime minister and the leader of the opposition traded questions but not answers on the Individual Investor Programme (IIP) better known as the passports programme, in parliament this evening.
During question time Nationalist MP Claudio Grech asked what had become of the €8 million which must have been deposited by now by the 13 people who had been granted Maltese passports under the IIP programme.
Replying, Parliamentary Secretary Ian Borg, who is responsible for EU funds, observed that the Opposition was now asking about the millions from this programme, after initially opposing it.
Opposition leader Simon Busuttil said that was rich, coming from Dr Borg, who would have no portfolio were he not administering the billion euros brought to Malta by the Nationalist government from the EU.
With the Prime Minister having entered the Chamber, he asked for the names of the people granted Maltese passports, and where they had come from.
Dr Muscat said the actual number of people who had successfully applied to join the IIP was now more than 13. He asked what position the Opposition now had after strongly opposing the IIP and having attacked everyone about it. The Opposition had attacked the scheme and now the opposition leader was going to China...
Dr Busuttil retorted that he was going to China to see what the minister's wife, paid €13,000 per month, was doing. He hoped she would give him an appointment when he requested it.
He said the opposition and the people expected to know who the passports were given to, and where these people came from. The prime minister had, since October, not convened a meeting of the Monitoring Board to discuss the IIP. Had he, or not removed the secrecy clause?
Dr Muscat said he would have expected the leader of the opposition to go to China to seek investment for Malta.
On the IIP, he said the government would strictly follow the law. The law said a meeting of the Monitoring Board had to be held within a year, and that would happen. Names would be published there. Furthermore, much of the requested information had been given in the regulator's report, tabled in the House. He asked what the Opposition's view on the IIP was.
Dr Busuttil said said the people have a right to know who bought a Maltese passport, and what country they came from. The prime minister should not go round in circles by not having convened a meeting of the monitoring board, which only met in October. When would the board be convened? Would he convene a meeting immediately, this week, and would he say who those who had been given Maltese passports were?
Dr Muscat said the replies would be given in the board, which would meet when necessary and in terms of the law. He asked if Dr Busuttil would withdraw these passports if the PN was elected.
Dr Busuttil said Dr Muscat was there to reply to questions, not make them. And he had not replied to the simple question on who had been granted a passport and from which country. This was a basic question which people had entitled to.
Dr Muscat said he would convene the committee in terms of the law and the names would be published in line with the law. He again asked what the opposition's position was. Would he withdraw citizenship, yes or no? Anyone who wanted to become prime minister would at least try to answer questions.
Dr Busuttil said repeated scandals indicated Dr Muscat did not want to remain prime minister. He again asked for the names.
Dr Muscat replied by again asking about the Opposition's position on the IIP.
Dr Busuttil said the Opposition had replied publicly to the prime minister's questions, it was Dr Muscat who was not replying.
Dr Muscat said Dr Busuttil was refusing to say in the House that he would retain the IIP. He reiterated the government would follow the provisions of the law on the IIP.