A referendum over whether a permanent link to Gozo should be constructed could be held in the coming years, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said yesterday.
Comparing the issue to the recent Scottish independence debate, Dr Muscat said the vote could possibly be held among Gozitans only. However, fielding questions on TVM’s Dissett last night, he acknowledged that such a project would also have a strong impact on the Maltese.
The Sunday Times of Malta last weekend revealed details of a government-commissioned report on a €1 billion bridge linking Malta to Gozo. The bridge would take four years to complete, according to a feasibility study by a Chinese company.
Konrad knows the answer to this question, so I will let him answer it
It presents the government with four alternative routes, with just one cutting across Comino.
Dr Muscat said yesterday, however, he would not consider any construction on Comino, citing environmental concerns.
If constructed, the bridge would likely start at Għadira hill, stretching to the northern side of Gozo. Dr Muscat said he would commission a similar report on the excavation of a tunnel prior to discussing any bridge construction.
During the programme, the Prime Minister was also asked about another contentious gas-fired power station.
He denied rumours that the plant was being constructed in Asia, saying the “principle structures” were being completed in Europe. These structures would be brought to Malta ready-made, along with other components which would require some assembly.
Asked if the power station would be completed by 2015, Dr Muscat said he knew the answer, but he did not want to jump the gun.
“Konrad [Mizzi] knows the answer to this question, so I will let him answer it,” he said.
The programme also delved into the Opposition’s motion of no confidence in Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia, which was presented in Parliament yesterday.
Dr Muscat said the Opposition’s motion was premature, as an inquiry into Dr Mallia’s conduct surrounding the shooting incident involving his personal driver had not yet been concluded.
Asked about the Opposition’s calls for Dr Mallia’s resignation, Dr Muscat said he would not be party to any “Nationalist comedies”.
Referring to former Local Council Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said, who briefly resigned in 2010 following a perjury claim, Dr Muscat said he did not see the point in having a senior Cabinet minister resign for a fortnight.
Instead, he said, the government would wait for an inquiry, which should be concluded in the coming days.
Rounding up on a series of questions on recent political scandals surrounding the Labour government, Dr Muscat said the long-awaited ministerial code of ethics had been concluded at Cabinet level and would be tabled in Parliament soon.