Updated - Adds Labour reaction - PN deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami said today that the Cabinet was costing taxpayers €20.1 million a year, which was some €8.5 million a year more that the last PN cabinet.

Addressing a news conference in front of the Auberge de Castille, Dr Fenech Adami said that over five years this Cabinet would cost €100 million, which was an increase of €42 million over five years.

He said that this was the direct opposite of Labour's pledge to eliminate waste of public funds and use taxpayers' money diligently.

The difference in cost could have been used to build a new school each year, employ 444 teachers, 532 nurses and 570 LSAs.

Dr Fenech Adami remarked that the cost had gone up not only because the Cabinet was the biggest ever with 15 ministers and eight parliamentary secretaries, but because of the large secretariats and the various consultants.

Over two thirds of the members of the secretariats were engaged from outside the civil service, meaning that cost were higher.

He said that the honoraria increase in the last Cabinet was not included in the comparison since, Dr Fenech Adami said, payments had been refunded.

LABOUR REACTION

The Labour Party in a reaction said the present government had managed to bring about progress in the quality of life of the people and improve the business environment.

Among the measures by this government were the lower energy and water tariffs which the former government had opposed.

The Nationalists could hardly speak about the present Cabinet when the former ministers took a €500 a week raise while raising power tariffs for the people, or when €1m were awarded in consultancy contracts by direct order.

It was thanks to the positive energy of the present Cabinet that the country was moving forward as a land of opportunity, equality and innovation.