Indepth: What they said in 2018

It has been another great year for Indepth, The Malta Independent’s weekly interview programme that tackles topical issues and asks the questions that often cannot be asked at press conferences. Here are some of the highlights from this year’s programmes.

Nationalist MEP Roberta Metsola – “I have always felt that my place was here. I have never stopped working for my country at the European Parliament. I believe that for now I should keep focusing on my work here. However, whatever the PN may ask of me, I will respond. I feel that I have a lot to give here and if I am elected again I will return the trust placed in me.”

Socialist MEP Gomes – “Muscat is the leader of two people who have been revealed as crooks.”

Commissioner for Domestic Violence Simone Cini – Shelters for victims of domestic violence have taken in many foreign women because, culturally, certain things would be accepted in their countries of origin.

Parliamentary Secretary responsible for hunting, Clint

Camilleri – Government will not give an amnesty for illegal hunting because if it did, it would only result in giving more leeway for abuse.

Transport Minister Ian Borg – The Prime Minister’s handling of 17 Black revelations shows ‘consistency’ in his decisionmaking. “The people know that the country is being led by a prime minister who has no qualms about taking action when inquiries find the basis for it.”

Robert Musumeci – Certain PN members have a ‘sense of entitlement’

Xarabank host Peppi Azzopardi – It would have been easier to just invite Simon Schembri to please the audience

Finance Minister Edward Scicluna – “This budget was planned to give a bit here and there, but also to incentivise work. And till today we are incentivising people to work regardless of their wages as we would supplement those wages.”

Head of the Church’s safeguard- ing commission Andrew Azzopardi – 95 per cent of abuse cases on minors are carried out by married people and not members of the Church who are celibate.

PN MP Jason Azzopardi – “It must be the case therefore that Joseph Muscat is receiving something from the secret companies, since he keeps defending them.”

PN Leader Adrian Delia – “He (Busuttil) made a political decision based on information we now know not to be true. The PN suffered because of this by losing (the election) by the largest margin ever. He must shoulder responsibility. That is how democracy works.”

Auxiliary Bishop Elect – “People who divorce remain dear to us. Just because people did not follow our direction does not mean that they are outcasts. Even as directed by Pope Francis, we want to look for those who have distanced themselves from the Church. We have to show these peo- ple that we are not against them personally.”

Mental Health Commissioner John Cachia – Foreign workers, immigrants are more susceptible to mental health issues than Maltese are.

Environment Minister Jose Herrera – Current environmental constructions not a good enough deterrence

Aġenzija Appoġġ services manage r Roberta Agius – Adults still smack children even though it is illegal

Graffiti activist Andre Callus – Malta is the most built up place in Europe; it is in a state of emergency

Dominican priest Christopher Caruana – “The Church could consider allowing priests to wed, but would need to be prudent”