Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday met members of the public at Castille in the first of a series of meetings during which he plans to listen rather than talk.
Among the salient points raised yesterday was the unacceptable state of the roads, particularly residential and not arterial ones on which millions of liri were being spent, and the need for non-governmental organisations to be involved in the drafting of NGO legislation.
Dr Gonzi said the plan was to publish a White Paper which would guarantee the broadest possible public consultation. He also pointed out that a law on foundations, for example, was also required.
The issue of excessive bureaucracy, which was hindering the hard-working businessmen, and the "apathetic" state of the economy were also bones of contention, as was the inefficiency of public corporations, the arrogance of certain civil servants and the state of the environment and cleanliness.
Dr Gonzi answered the government would be embarking on a series of "experiments" in the coming weeks.
The inefficiency of the public transport system, which was increasing traffic congestion, was also considered to be a problem that Dr Gonzi acknowledged too.
With regard to rent laws, another hot potato, Dr Gonzi could not understand why 20,000 properties in Malta and Gozo were vacant when the law had been changed in 1995. While he disagreed that tenants should be renting out properties for a pittance, at the same time the country could not afford to have thousands of people on the streets because they were kicked out of their homes by their landlords.
Dr Gonzi acknowledged the problems young couples faced to be able to afford a property and the fact that they were putting off having children due to such expenses. Serious attention was being paid to the issue which had "tremendous" social implications, he said.
The Housing Authority was building properties that were sold at subsidised prices but it could not keep up with the demand, he said, adding that the government needed to experiment with public-private partnerships.
On the subject of youths, he questioned their career choices and could not understand how, in this day and age, some were still quitting their studies at secondary school level when even a university degree was not enough.
Pharmaceutical companies were being set up in Malta but they could not find employees qualified in subjects like chemistry and would thus be constrained to import foreigners.
Dr Gonzi referred to misconceptions he said still surrounded factory work. Factories were not what they were 20 years ago, he insisted, speaking of the high salaries and state-of-the-art environments.
The Prime Minister addressed most issues and had an answer for everything, explaining the government's position openly and frankly.
Most problems required more funding and Dr Gonzi explained the need to prioritise and restructure Air Malta, the drydocks and PBS to save money that could be invested in other important areas.
Members of the public also had the opportunity to lodge personal complaints at a help desk after the meeting, the next of which is scheduled in two weeks' time.