Adrian Delia
What is your favourite book and why?
The Tao of Pooh: existence, simplified.
What is your favourite music genre and your favourite band or musician?
Rock – and Aerosmith.
Have you ever participated in any voluntary/charitable work in your life (apart from politics)? If yes, what was it and where did you go and, if not, would you like to and for what cause?
When I was at St Aloysius, our prayer group used to go to the Little Sisters of the Poor and another home to help with anything they needed. While I was at University, one particular trip I’ll never forget was when we had collected a truck-load of stationery to personally deliver to Maltese nuns running a school in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. And, later on in life, I have continuously been involved in philanthropic initiatives, particularly through my association with the Birkirkara Football Club which, in itself, was all work on a voluntary basis.
What is the favourite place you have visited outside Malta, and why?
Tortuguero Beach in Costa Rica, which I visited – as a student, travelling on a shoestring budget. This is a unique place where the endangered green turtles go to lay their eggs – a miracle of nature in itself.
Where would you like to visit but have not yet had the opportunity to do so and why?
Papua New Guinea, which is one of the most remote places on earth and which, infamously, had the last tribe of cannibals known to history.
What was the most boring gift you have ever received?
Wallets: I don’t use them.
Do you know how to cook?
Absolutely not, but according to my son I can manage the best egg on toast in the world.
What is your favourite dish?
This is a tough one. My wife is an amazing cook and she conjures up the most exquisite pasta dishes you can imagine. The one with sundried tomatoes and fresh prawns is a big favourite.
Do you play any instruments?
As a child I used to play the piano.
Describe a typical relaxing day
I’m struggling to remember the last one I had. However, my family’s annual refuge in the Swiss Alps comes to mind.
Do you prefer tea or coffee?
Black tea in the morning, espressos during the day.
Do you prefer to wear shorts, trousers or jeans?
Jeans, any day.
Do you prefer summer or winter?
Winter, particularly wild stormy nights.
Choose a female MP you would ask to have dinner with you
Margaret Thatcher – if she was still alive.
...and a beer with whom – living or dead
Mahatma Ghandi. However, I suppose he would be drinking tea himself.
Cheesecakes: do you prefer ricotta or piżelli?
Ricotta. I love piżelli too, but they give me acid.
What is your favourite film or TV series?
Braveheart: I’ve seen it nine times and counting...
With whom would you prefer to be stranded on a desert island?
McGyver – the only hope of getting us off alive.
Chris Said
What is your favourite book and why?
Long Walk to Freedom: the autobiography of Nelson Mandela. It’s a book that never fails to touch me. It motivates me and inspires me. Mandela’s story is unique.
What is your favourite music genre and your favourite band or musician?
I listen to different kinds of music, but soft rock is more in tune with my taste and the music that was popular in my formative years – the 1980s – remains close to heart, with musicians from the era such as Queen, Sting and the Police being among my favourites.
Have you ever participated in any voluntary/charitable work in your life (apart from politics)? If yes, what was it and where did you go and, if not, would you like to and for what cause?
I was very active in local youth groups, organising various activities such as hikes and song festivals and we used to do regular voluntary work as well. One memory I still cherish is when we spent a few days in Sicily helping disadvantaged children. I would also love to spend a few weeks doing voluntary work in a Third World country.
What is the favourite place you have visited outside Malta, and why?
To date my favourite is New York, in that it is so different to the European cities I have visited and the vibe and variety in the city itself are so impressive.
Where would you like to visit but have not yet had the opportunity to do so – and why?
I’ve always wanted to visit Brazil but haven’t had occasion to yet: the country has fascinated me since I was young.
What was the most boring gift you have ever received?
The person who gave it to me might be reading this and I wouldn’t want to be rude.
Do you know how to cook?
I am no Jamie Oliver, but I do help out in the kitchen every now and then.
What is your favourite dish?
Something typically Maltese, like braġoli or octopus.
Do you play any instruments?
No, I don’t, although I did learn to play the guitar when I was young.
Describe a typical relaxing day
It would probably start with a long breakfast at home with Linda and the children and then, depending on the season, either a walk or a swim. Watching a good movie in the evening or having friends over for dinner would wrap it up very nicely.
Do you prefer tea or coffee?
Coffee
Do you prefer to wear shorts, trousers or jeans?
It depends on where I am, but shorts are always very comfortable.
You prefer summer or winter?
Spring
Choose a female MP you would ask to have dinner with you
Maria Deguara – she has plenty of experience to share and as a new MP I can share some of my own.
...and a beer with whom – living or dead?
Ian Rush
Cheesecakes: do you prefer ricotta or pizelli?
Pizelli.
What is your favourite film or TV series?
Life is Beautiful
With whom would you prefer to be stranded on a desert island?
Someone who’s brilliant at building boats.