So the "do gooders" are at it again! Now Amnesty International have taken it upon themselves to go to the defence of those illegal immigrants who find themselves in Malta seeking a better life for themselves and making our lives ever more difficult.

It is so easy to criticise a small country like Malta when Amnesty International should go to the heart of the problem. It might be nice for their representative to come to Malta and enjoy the hospitality of the Maltese people - and then go back and preach and criticise. Why not go to Africa, the source of the illegal immigrant problem? Why don't they go to Zimbabwe, or to Uganda, or to Ethiopia to find out why these poor souls want to leave their country of birth, or even perhaps to far off Burma where they can do more good? And what about a bit of "do gooding" in Libya to ensure that these illegal immigrants are given a first class ticket across the Mediterranean so that they will not have to stop in Malta on their way to Europe.

Or perhaps Amnesty International will help other countries provide the cash for Malta to build a holiday resort on Filfla so that these poor souls can be housed in better conditions. Detention should be a last resort, we know, but we are doing the best we can in difficult circumstances. We cannot afford to have these men and women running around the streets without financial support.

And next time Amnesty International's representatives come to Malta they should have a few kind thoughts and words for the Maltese people, the Armed Forces, the police who are doing their best and will continue to do their best for these people. But one thing must be made clear; we just cannot afford to keep them here longer than necessary.