Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds Ian Borg said that government has utilised 93.6% of the Refugee fund and the External Border fund, set to be renewed in June.

He criticised the previous administration for having only used around 72%. "This amounts to millions of euros", he claimed. "The previous government wasted 30% of these funds". He was delivering his adjournment speech in Parliament.

He said Malta will continue to fight for more funds, however "funds are not enough". It is crucial to for there to be a stable Mediterranean and a stable Libya".

"Prime Minister Joseph Muscat compared migrants crossing the Mediterranean to people who leaped off the Twin Towers, choosing a leap of death over a burning fury. This is the decision these migrants go through".

"More than that, it is crucial to have the measures in place to save their lives. We have detention and open centres, and these cost funds... this is why we require EU funds. People are drowning 100 metres to the depths while others remain face down in the Sea until they are found. These funds are important, not only as they help ease our costs but also to help save lives".

"These fund programmes end in June and I hope we can utilise 100% of them by then. We cannot leave a single cent unspent that can be used to save lives and continue to reduce government costs".

He also said that the maritime squadron building should be complete by June in Pieta, where the maritime squad "will have its home".

"Funds are important however must not be used as an excuse for our EU friends to close their eyes and ears. I have noted that the EU is realising that this is an EU problem".