The opening of the hunting season today was yet more proof that the Prime Minister could not be trusted, the Labour Party said.

In a statement it said that in spite of all the promises made before the election, the truth was now clear.

It was now the hunters' turn to go through what all taxpayers went through when they were kept waiting for the reductions in income tax which never materialised. Shipyard and public transport employees had also seen what they were promised disintegrate into thin air.

The letters and solemn declarations to hunters by Dr Gonzi and his team did not count with the Prime Minister today trying to look good with both hunters and environmentalists. Instead, he ended up showing the hypocrisy and mediocrity of the government to both sides.

The government also said it had not yet reached any agreement with the European Commission and its actions could be undermining its arguments with the Commission.