Much has been spoken and written recently about a fixed link between Malta and Gozo. I do not champion any particular solution but I have to make a comment if it will involve the local construction industry.

On a project of this magnitude the time span of construction from the local industry would likely see our grandchildren performing the opening ceremony. If we compare it with some of the EU-funded projects recently undertaken, the progression of works is woefully inadequate. The Euro-project road from Għajnsielem to Xewkija, a distance of about half a kilometre, which did not have any difficult logistical problems, took approximately a year to complete.

The technology and heavy equipment required to construct a bridge or tunnel, of the magnitude to link Gozo and Malta, would not be available locally, and the cost of providing it would be enormous, as would the project itself. How is a nation of less than 400,000 people going to afford to fund what is probably a billion euro project. Malta is already heavily indebted with the extent of Government borrowing.