Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said the prices of petrol were reduced six times in the last 22 months, highlighting that the prices of diesel in Malta were cut down before the international prices of oil dropped.

Replying to a series of questions made by party members at the start of the PL’s general conference this morning, Dr Muscat also referred to a newspaper survey which showed that people were better off during the last nine months as a result of ‘locked’ fuel prices.

Police oil scandal investigations

Dr Muscat said that he is not interfering in any police investigations. But he said that after investigations tied to the new oil scandal revelations which surfaced last week will be over, decisions will be taken. He was mainly referring to the immunity from prosecution which wasgiven to oil rogue trader George Farrugia.

Dr Muscat recently said that if it is found that Farrugia did not reveal all on the oil scandal, he would call for a debate in parliament which would determine whether Farrugia’s immunity should be revoked.

He said it is worrying to learn that there is an link between Farrugia and an MRA official, referring to Godwin Sant, who is currently suspended.

Teachers’ sabbatical leave and students’ stipends

Students who failed their exams, he said, had been given a chance to sit for their exams once again, their resit fees funded by the government.

He said that stipends help students, particularly those whose families are vulnerable and such a measure is crucial to their academic career.

Dr Muscat said he not at all happy at the rate of absenteeism, adding that statistics show that those who are normally absent from school come from poor families. He said such families were given an additional benefit of €400 which has helped lead to a decrease in absenteeism.

While on the topic of education, Dr Muscat said that we will start to accept applications tied to sabbatical leave of teachers who wish to take a year’s leave so that they can sit for a Masters degree or other qualifications.

“The first group of teachers who apply will be given one year sabbatical but they will still receive their salary as long as they extend their qualifications.”

Fast ferry service

Dr Muscat said that the government would soon be announcing a major project for Gozo. He said that the bridge proposal, the fast ferry service and the airstrip proposals are still being reviewed. He said that one can opt for a ‘green’ airstrip where planes land on turf.

Persons with a disability

A disabled person present said that it took him quite a while to find a job. He said that a 1967 law this government is enforcing - which sets a quota for employers to employ persons with a disability should help make it easier for persons with a disability to find a job.

Replying to his question, Dr Muscat said the government is pro business however it is vital that businesses are asked to contribute as well by employing persons with a disability. If they do not, they will have to pay into a fund that will be used to help disabled people find a job.

Local council elections

Dr Muscat said that certain localities which are PN strongholds posed a problem for the PL. He said he was sure that such localities would be a tough challenge such as a number of Gozo villages and St Paul's Bay where the PL had only won by a small number of votes. He also said that everyone knows his stand, that he would be voting ‘Yes’ for spring hunting to stay on however said that everyone should have a free-hand on how to vote, despite his stance.

New bus service measures will ease traffic situation

Dr Muscat said that the traffic situation should ease once the new bus service settles in.

Dr Muscat said that a measure to ease traffic is one which encourages commuters to purchase cheaper pre-paid bus tickets so commuters can punch in the minute they step on the bus. This, he said, will help make the service more efficient and will help ease traffic which congests behind buses whose drivers have to waste time giving change to commuters.

Bureaucracy being reduced

He said that excessive bureaucracy is being reduced, however, added that at times he sends e-mails at 5 pm on weekdays to civil service employees who reply to his email the next day but then there are others who reply to an e-mail a few minutes after, even if the e-mail is sent on a Saturday late at night.

“Not everyone is the same. We are trying to change the mentality within the public service sector,” he said.

Economy

Although Malta is doing well economically, the prime minister said, one cannot predict what may happen tomorrow if, for instance, the euro drops as a result of some international incident.

“What happens in Spain or Greece affects us and it is vital that we have policies that can be implemented to tackle any events which may unfold internationally,” he said.