The migration season is with us again and the heavy burden on our fragile economy increases unabated. It is not beyond the realms of modern technology for the Armed Forces of Malta to install a powerful radar system around the Maltese islands to detect any illegal vessels if they are still outside our territorial waters.

These boats could then be intercepted, before they enter our territorial waters, and humanitarian assistance offered. This could include new boats being provided if the intercepted craft are not deemed to be seaworthy. Whether the migrants then choose to turn back home or to proceed with their journey is up to them. If they chose to proceed, they should then be pointed in the direction of the European mainland, which is the home of their former colonial masters. If anyone bears any responsibility for the fate of these unfortunate people it is these former colonial powers, not Malta, itself an ex-colony.

No doubt, the European Commission would huff and puff and threaten us with dire retribution for this act of effrontery. In this case, the Government should emulate the French Administration when this is faced with a European edict that it disagrees with. It simply ignores it!

It is time to stand up to these Euro bullies and we expect the Government to do so.