Prime Minister Joseph Muscat today admitted that the government made a mistake by not listening enough to what the stakeholders were saying in the Individual Investor Programme.

Speaking during a radio interview Dr Muscat said that he is positive that the government and the Opposition can agree on certain issues. He said that the negotiations on the much debated IIP are in their final stages. “I will remain optimistic to the end.”

Dr Muscat said that the he is highly convinced that this programme is a good option for Malta. “It will bring in high value individuals and big investment. The money will be used for projects in education, research and development and social housing. We inherited nothing but debt and deficit from the PN administration but we want to leave a better country for our children.”

The Prime Minister said that people are sceptical because the government did not explain enough. But once they see the amended IIP they will be convinced.

He also referred to the international media coverage on the issue and insisted that the British press is criticising Malta’s scheme because it is highly competitive.”

“11,000 people were given free citizenship during the last seven years. I do not have a problem with this. But if we have no problem with people who marry into Malta why should we have a problem with individuals that are ready to pay and invest in Malta?”

Busuttil held hostage by extreme factions in PN

Dr Muscat insisted that the Public Accounts Committee hearings are unveiling an endless corruption story. All this happened when Enemalta was on its knees and when people were paying high utility tariffs. The PN Leader should not try to hide. He should shoulder the political responsibility.  

He accused the PN Leader of taking extreme positions on sensitive issues to please extreme factions in the PN, that are holding him hostage. Simon Busuttil has taken extreme stands on the Citizenship and Civil Unions issues because he has no control over his party and has to please the extreme factions within the PN. “Busuttil is taking the stand that appeals most to the party grassroots but not the people.”

Good Causes Fund

The Prime Minister also spoke on the Good Causes Fund Saga. He said that the PN government had given out more money than there actually was in the fund and had also promised all funds allocated for 2013 and 2014. “Former Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said that he had not signed the declarations because of election panic. This clearly shows that the fund was being used for partisan purposes. He even laid blame on the secretary. The Good Causes Fund became a fund for political patronage.”

Encroachment

Dr Muscat reiterated that former Lands Minister Jason Azzopardi had given more concessions in three months than are ususlly given in a whole year. He also spoke in the ‘Mare D’Oro’ case in Xemxija, insisting that the land given in compensation was worth much more than what the government had requisitioned. “PN Deputy Leader Mario de Marco is trying to distance himself from what happened. An investigation is warranted.”

He also accused Dr Busuttil of acting like a lawyer but insisted that some cases – whilst not being illegal – can be immoral.

Immigration

Dr Muscat also spoke on migration. “We would not be where we are today if we had not stamped our feet. We made a lot of noise but we gathered strong support from 15 other EU member states. This led to a task force that came out with 38 proposals for the European Commission. This is the first time that the Commission has committed itself with concrete proposals.”

Dr Muscat said that the EU will help Malta send back migrants who are not eligible for migration and the government will also keep insisting that Libya do its part.

“For the first time Libya has started sending illegal migrants back, and also for the first time Libya has intercepted migrants in its territorial waters and sent them back. Italy is also training Libyan soldiers. I cannot say that next summer will not be a problem however we will be more prepared than ever before.”

Dr Muscat said that the he spoke to the Greek government yesterday and discussed the implementation of these measures. “This is the difference between us and the PN. Simon Busuttil used to claim in the European Parliament that the migration problem had been solved but nothing was achieved by the previous government. The PN was more interested in shaming Malta in the EU institutions.”

Dr Muscat mentioned a particular case when Malta was being criticized on an EU level. The international media had printed photos of migrants dangling on tuna pens. “I saw this as an attack on the country and I did everything to defend my country. But Simon Busuttil only defends Malta when the PN is in government.”

Civil Unions

Dr Muscat said that adoption is adoption is not a right parents have – but children have the right to be adopted irrespective of the sexual orientation of the parents. “Experts and stakeholders are the ones who should decide if children are adopted by the applying couple. He said that the Civil Unions Bill gives gay couples the right to apply for adoption, just like straight couples.

He said that former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi had expressed views similar so his, but Simon Busuttil is not capable of taking a decision. “He could have taken the same position as Dr Gonzi but he didn’t – I still do not know what his position is.”

 “Up till now gay couples can adopt unofficially and this leads to a lack of protection of children. I am aware of at least three cases were ‘normal’ couples separated with one of the partners entering a gay relationship. “Should we take their children away?”

Dr Muscat said that a Social Impact Assesment should be carried out on all adoption cases. Simon Busuttil wants SIAs for gay couples only. “His position is bigoted and would further marginalise gay couples.”

Muscat admitting to more mistakes – PN

In a statement the PN said that the Prime Minister had joined his Finance Minister in admitting another mistake. Dr Muscat’s interview was characterised by admissions to mistakes by the government. The Prime Minister admitted that his roadmap led to nowhere because he was still receiving many complaints about the health sector. On migration the PN said that the people do not want Muscat’s ’38 points’. They want EU countries to share Malta’s burden.

The PN insisted that Dr Muscat had chosen not to speak about the car donated to the PL by oil trader George Farrugia and the €10 million gift the PL government gave the Labour party in the Australia Hall case.