Prime Minister takes up only ten minutes in five hour parliamentary debate on his ministry

PM Joseph Muscat yesterday took just ten minutes out of a five hour debate on the financial estimates of the Office of the Prime Minister.

The debate was animated at times, especially during the first two and a half hours, which were allocated to the Opposition. But Dr Muscat made a short and calm speech, taking the last ten minutes of the debate.

The Prime Minister spoke first about the energy sector. He said the country had reached an important phase where it was turning its quasi-prehistoric energy generation system into one that was at par with modern and advanced countries. “In some aspects we are actually ahead of such countries.”

He noted that the European Commission had published a strategy document on LNG this week, describing the fuel source as the future of clean energy generation. Malta had already made the change from oil to gas, he said, thanking minister without portfolio Konrad Mizzi.

Dr Muscat took a jibe at the Opposition’s walkout, saying that it was childish to close your ears to avoid hearing the truth.

Turning to the planning sector, Dr Muscat said the Planning Authority had become much stronger and more focused after the MEPA demerger. It was coming up with “common sense schemes”, such as the recently announced regularisation scheme.

He also spoke on the Paceville Masterplan, which he described as the first ever attempt to improve the urban environment. “One can find a million defects and, yes, people are grumbling. The easiest thing would have been to do nothing. But this is a government of change. We issued the blueprint for discussion and will change what needs to be changed.”

One can find a million defects and, yes, people are grumbling. The easiest thing would have been to do nothing.