Couples who turn to IVF because they needed assistance to procreate will now be able to put their mind at rest that the service offered in Malta is regulated and in line with moral and ethical standards, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said this morning.

He said during an interview on Radio 101 that the bill to protect the embryo, launched for consultation yesterday, was one of the most important laws the government wanted to enact in this legislature, and it was the fruit of long years of debate.

Although the service is currently available in the private sector, it is not regulated.

The Prime Minister said that once the legislation is enacted and the regulatory authority set up, the service would also be offered free of charge at Mater Dei, giving childless couples new hope.

He expressed pride that the bill was inspired by principle that life began at conception and that its first principle was the protection of human life.

Another principle to protect the interests of the child who was yet to be born.

“We will now listen and learn, improve the bill and then legislate,” Dr Gonzi said.

He said that debate on the bill in the House will start in October and would hopefully be concluded in the same month. The regulatory authority would be set up in the beginning of next year and in the meantime the machinery would be put in place at the Mater Dei clinic and staff would be trained.

The Prime Minister also spoke on the Oncology Hospital, the second phase of which was approved by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority this week.

Malta, Dr Gonzi said, was already providing a good service at Boffa Hospital but this was an old building which needed major investment.

The new hospital would have the best possible equipment, including three radiation machines. It would also have three times more beds and space. All the necessary difficult decisions to help those going through this illness would be taken.

This hospital, Dr Gonzi said, was built using EU funds and the peoples’ taxes.

On the oversubscription of Malita shares, the Prime Minister said this reflected the people’s confidence in the government’s strategy.

Malita was set up to finance government capital projects, including the entrance to City Gate, the new Parliament and the open air theatre.

He also congratulated the Maltese athletes taking part in the Olympics.