Delia accuses government of disrespecting couples in proposed embryo freezing amendments

Nationalist Party leader Adrian Delia yesterday accused the government of disrespecting couples through the proposed changes in the Embryo Protection Act, as well as disrespecting the rights of the child.

The proposals will see the introduction of embryo freezing and forced anonymous adoption; allow gay couples and single women to receive IVF treatment; provide for sperm and ovum donation; and decriminalise surrogacy.

Delia was speaking at a political event in Żebbuġ. He referred to a pensioner he had spoken, who didn’t know how he was going to make it till the end of the month with what was left of his pension.

Delia repeatedly said he was in favour of life from conception to old age. He spoke of how difficult it is for some people trying to keep up with Malta’s changing society and who are working inhumane hours as a result of this.

He said that according to statistics, 49,000 people were struggling to make ends meet, just as many people who work for the government.

Delia condemned the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia, saying she was snuffed out because of her writings, despite the supposed freedom of expression in Malta.

Delia made reference to the stories being produced by the Daphne Project, more specifically the allegations that €200,000 a month was to be paid into 17 Black, which according to leaked documentation was supposed to be one of the main clients of two Panama companies belonging to Minister Konrad Mizzi and the PM’s chief of staff Keith Schembri.

A one-time payment reportedly came from Orion Engineering, the company owned by Mario Pullicino, the agent for the LNG tanker that supplies gas to the new power station. In the meantime, the Panama companies became known to the public and it appeared that those plans were interrupted. All involved deny wrongdoing.

Delia spoke of a company that “cannot do business in Malta” because of issues with correspondent banking, highlighting the “damage” Prime Minster Joseph Muscat had already done to the country.

He said that the prime minister had massive support from the people, and he should be using this strength to do the right thing and remove Schembri and Mizzi.

“The Nationalist Party will be the voice of transparency and accountability in the absence of this,” Delia said to loud applause.

He said that even if it took banging down the doors of the various ministries, speaking at party clubs and in the streets, the PN would continue to do this.

On the IVF amendments, he accused the government of wanting to remove embryo protection legislation enshrined in the protection act.

Delia said that the government wanted to turn couples, whether gay or straight, into a single unit able to buy a baby.

He accused the government of not respecting couples, of not respecting equality and of failing to respect the rights of children.

Delia asked PN supporters to view the party not simply as a blue colour to support, but a means for improving Maltese society.