A decision cannot be made whether to build the Gozo tunnel or not. Because to decide, there must be something to decide on. It is all bluff. There is no geological study available... with the active faults present,the cost is likely to rise to €2 billion,double what we receive from the EU in seven years.

So while waiting for a decision tocome up, why not liberalise transport between Malta and Gozo? Why not change the rules? As has happened in all liberalisations, the infrastructure of the Gozo Channel would be used by competing companies.

I envisage catamarans carrying vehicles and not only to Ċirkewwa or Marfa but to Sliema, Sa Maison, Grand Harbour, the Three Cities and Marsaxlokk.

Perhaps new infrastructure would have to be built, but so what?

We liberalised in all fields: telephony, airlines, bread, vegetables and now also in electricity production.

You name it, we did it. But we have stopped short of doing that in the transport between Maltaand Gozo. Although the government says it is liberalised because any company can apply, only one company can operate and the contract is tailor-made for Gozo Channel. Liberalisation benefited us all.

Would it not improve the Gozo ferry service?

Can’t the boats berth somewhere else when not in use? Is this something phenomenal when there is a willingness to build the tunnel?

I would also liberalise public transport on land. If other companies operated in the sector they would be able to pick up passengers from bus stops with their own vehicles and under their own schedule. The subsidy would be shared between them according to how many passengers they carry.

I think this would make public transport more flexible and much more efficient. I don’t think we have anything to lose. And it would create more jobs too.