Former Health Minister Louis Deguara yesterday echoed the wishes of the opposition for a bilaterally-agreed health budget, which was still feasible at some stage so long as health was not made a political football.
Speaking during the budget debate on the votes of the Prime Minister, Dr Deguara said however, the government should not promise what it knew it could not achieve, and the opposition should not pressure the government to do what could not be done.
Health was a primary focus in every budget, and the increase in this year's budget was no exception. But increasing the yearly vote did not necessarily mean a guarantee of continued enhancement of the health service: increasing recurrent costs would see to that.
One could be consoled that many larger-spending countries did not necessarily have a better health service than Malta's.
It was inconceivable that a union which regularly pointed out that there was a lack of human resources in its field then kept prodding the government to increase health services. Another problem was potential patients' failure to contribute to certain important reforms which they themselves stood to benefit from. Social Policy Minister John Dalli had already said that choices must be made, and as soon as possible.
Strong references had been made, in the House and media, on cures for cancer and the government's decision to make available very expensive medicine for the first time. But breast cancer was not the only killer disease in Malta: there were others, even non-killers, that called for just as much attention.
Dr Deguara said primary health care was another important consideration. Malta had a very good system which unfortunately was appreciated more by foreigners than the Maltese themselves. Others pontificated that some of the problems had been self-inflicted through lack of prevention, which really made themselves apparent even after 20 or more years of carelessness. Preventive care would not reduce the incidence of certain diseases, even though it would make for a better quality of life.
Screening of various serious ailments depended not only on money and equipment but also on the availability of well-trained human resources. In this sphere Malta was competing with other much-better-paying countries.
Dr Deguara categorically refuted the accusation that the cost of health care was continually rising because of waste. The true reason was the continued emergence of new and costlier medicines.
Much talk had been heard about long waiting lists. Most of these were so long because of what he called "stupid" things. When a form called SLH 145 expired, regular visitors to the health centres could have it replaced immediately, while those who went to hospital outpatients had to ask for an appointment that could be several months in the future, he concluded. In the meantime, such patients remained without their free medicines' quota.
He said he was not aware, when minister, of this and suggested all patients are referred to health centres.
Earlier Stephen Spiteri (PN) said many countries were investing millions in the hope of saving their economy from a recession. Thanks to decisions taken by the government, and the fact that banks in Malta were conservative, it did not seem that Malta would be adversely hit.
However, no one could ignore the present scenario. Malta had to invest in time for the time when the global situation improved. This budget was a step in this direction.
The government aimed to improve the tourist offer, and incentivate businesses which benefitted tourism. It was committed to regenerate the economic activity in the surroundings of the Grand Harbour, which was unique to Malta.
Cruise liner arrivals had increased by 15.2 per cent. Malta's short travelling distances meant tourists could see a lot in a short time.
The budget offered solid foundations to avoid problems in the future with initiatives aimed at improving quality of life, he concluded.
Jean Pierre Farrugia (PN) said that sustainable urban development was irrelevant if quality of life was ignored. Urban regeneration must be viewed holistically and be linked to quality of life issues.
Twenty-nine per cent of the applicants for social housing came from, and around, the Grand Harbour area, as were 20 per cent of those claiming benefits. Twenty-nine per cent of the cases of absenteeism in schools were from the surroundings.
On the other hand, the ETC training programme had benefitted 3,217 persons between 2004 and 2006, and many of these came from that region.
There had been 28 unresolved thefts from private residents in Floriana during the past four years. This was unprecedented.
Transport, such as the CT cabs in Valletta, had improved accessibility but CT cabs did not take people to the Health centre in Floriana. Also since the health centre in upper Valletta had been closed, this was a problem for those living in the area.
Cultural heritage, such as St Elmo and St John's Co-cathedral, were status symbols which future generations would judge us on.
When it came to restoration of important places, there could be more detailed strategic environmental assessments, carried out on different levels, instead of Environmental Impact Assessments, he concluded.
Robert Arrigo (PN) said people had responded well to the consultation process on the reform of local councils, which must have authority and not have outsiders trying to impose on them.
The government and the Sliema local council had kept their promise regarding the embellishment of the Sliema promenade.
He complained on the amateurish way the Msida local council had asked residents to choose between two plans regarding traffic leading to the University. This gave rise to concern. Also, the mayor wanted to borrow long-term funds for infrastructural projects but how could he burden future councils? Mr Arrigo questioned money spent by the Ħamrun Local Council under the item "cleaning of beaches". Where were the beaches in Ħamrun? he asked Mr Arrigo also spoke about Kappara and the need to see to other hamlets in the Sliema/St Julian's area.
He said he was in favour that the life of local councils be extended to four years. He asked whether some of those on the scheme for the unemployed doing community work would be attached to local councils.
Turning to tourism, Mr Arrigo said that in all probability the increase over 2007 would only be some five per cent. He believed that Malta would recuperate somewhat next year and appealed to Air Malta to be flexible in its dealings with tour operators.
Concluding, Mr Arrigo augured that priority would be given to MTA-funded embellishment projects.
Dr Francis Zammit Dimech (PN) said this year would continue to post record totals of tourist arrivals, thanks not only to Air Malta and foreign carriers but also to all other players in the industry in the face of continuous pressures for cost-cutting.
The UK market would remain the strongest, but dependence on it had knowingly been brought down in percentage terms because Malta was being successfully marketed in other countries.
The millions of euros that the government was investing in enhancing the product would be well spent. At the same time, the government was opening up new tourism niche markets and strengthening those already in existence. The niche markets accounted for 34 per cent of total arrivals.
Dr Zammit Dimech said the word permeating the latest edition of the World Travel Market had been "responsibility". It was this sense that should continue to guide Malta in its efforts to shore up the tourism industry in the face of the current global economic downturn.
Francis Agius (PN) said the budget debate had struck him particularly by the two sides' approach to dialogue and consensus. This was one way of making Parliament more relevant to the people. But social dialogue by itself was not enough; there needed to be people's active participation.
The people could not expect all electoral promises to be kept right from the first post-electoral budget. One of the first promises being kept was the reduction in income tax. The government must continually keep the people informed as to how their taxes were being spent.
If the people were kept informed with the truth there would be more chance of industrial harmony and, eventually, consensus, he concluded.
Mr Jesmond Mugliett (PN) said in the past Malta did not offer enough incentives for alternative energy as society did not have an environmental-friendly culture. In the past not even the government or state authorities led by example.
The government should set aside certain funds for each department to top up shortfalls in energy requirements. This was important because this was leading to a culture change, which did not come about by fiscal measures alone.
He asked why were energy-saving schemes limited?
One could not have half-measures and priorities needed to be set because substantial sectors and other systems were being left out. Could not the tax credit aimed at businesses be extended to others, even sports organisations?
What quality assurance and quality control was being exercised? One must ensure the efficiency ratio of both the equipment and the installation. Maybe inspectors were needed to carry out checks. The BICC should invest in courses in these technologies.
The budget laid much emphasis on the wind-farm project. One must ensure that this would not be just a momentary measure as there is no greater security of supply than that of the locally-generated energy. The EU has more challenging targets than those declared by the government and one must start planning and learning how to achieve such targets.
Sustainability was the foundation of this budget and there had to be more long-term planning, on what would be changed, phased out and introduced. Small private power stations, offering Enemalta competition, would be beneficial for Malta.
The Malta Resource Authority had to develop a policy and be forthright about infringements.
Despite many improvements, there were still very real problems in water harvesting. A strategy was called for to cater for flooding, water from bore holes and second class water from treatment plants being wasted.
Mr Mugliett said one of Mepa's most mistaken policies for development was that which allowed for the building of three floors, plus a penthouse. Suddenly, established residential zones were facing pressures of development. There had to be more incentives for use of empty property.
The budget spoke of the regeneration of ports, and this made sense in the light of changing economic activity. The same work could be done to regenerate towns and villages.
Concluding, Mr Mugliett said that sustainability was important to give the country a direction. A holistic approach had to be undertaken, or there was the risk of imbalance.
Michael Gonzi (PN) said tourism had always been an important consideration in the national economy, and the government this year was allocating more funds to the sector in order to better prepare for the immediate future. Decisions which up to a few years ago might have seemed hazardous were being vindicated by the results in Malta's tourism arrival figures. But competition would remain the all-important word.
The local tourism industry last year had created 482 more full-time jobs than the year before. Aggressive marketing would be even more important than ever before, with most tourists deciding to take quick, short holidays if at all.
Tourist stays in Buġibba had been encouraging, and certain events laid on specifically to lure tourist and locals alike had now found their way into the St Paul's Bay calendar. Of particular importance and profitable had been the Malta Airshow, whose flying display had again been held over the area. This showed the importance of organising crowd-pulling events as often as possible.
Buġibba had now been changed from a predominantly summer residential area into a veritable town with a greater population. It needed another beach, so the Fra Ben project was well timed. But it had to be well coordinated. It would have been better to complete one project before moving on to another.
Dr Gonzi said St Paul's Islands, Burmarrad and Salina were hardly ever marketed in spite of the area's history and historic finds there. This should change.
Is-Sikka l-Bajda, which was earmarked for Malta's first wind-farm, were located just three km from St Paul's Islands and were bound to have some sort of influence. There would be a maximum 19 turbines on the reef, and each of their arms would have a span equivalent to the wing-span of a Boeing 747. Even taking for granted the sacrifice for the common good, what attention had been paid to the visual effect of the wind-farm on the surrounding area?
It was gratifying to note that a Maltese youth who had trained on the installation of wind-farms had been engaged to work on the Malta project.
St Paul's Bay local council was at a disadvantage because funds allocated to it by the central government were calculated on the year-round habitation, irrespective of the huge seasonal increase in summer. To cap it all, the council had to manage the area's cleanliness. This could be solved by the central government coordinating public cleanliness with the local council, which could easily be done.
Ninu Zammit (PN) said that in 1987 the PN government had started out from a position of crisis, without any spare electricity capacity, which necessarily meant programmed power black-outs. The government had set out to remedy the dire situation through management by crisis and brought the situation to normality.
Malta only had 150 MVA in 1986 and in five bursts this was increased to 750 MVA, not without a substantial investment. Distributions centres and sub-stations were built in various localities and high-power cables installed to curb losses. Unaccounted-for units decreased drastically but there were still 10 per cent per year and this would only be curbed through the change of meters.
Together with the water meter, these electricity meters should be installed outside residences to eliminate tempering.
Electricity generation had doubled between 1987 and 1996 and further increased by 50 per cent by last year.
The same could be said for water distribution: Malta was losing 11 million gallons daily. New more sensitive meters were installed and WSC was saving millions of euros a year.
Water harvesting projects undertaken also saved millions of gallons of water. In Burmarrad, the first phase of a new watercourse project had been completed but the permits for the second phase have not been issued.
Concluding, Mr Zammit welcomed the rehabilitation of Żurrieq Road, which leads to Wied iż-Żurrieq, and appealed that rural roads in the area, which were in a pitiful state, are seen to.