Opposition Leader Adrian Delia has said that he is against the db Group ITS project this evening.

Delia was addressing a political meeting in Floriana, as part of the activities prior to Independence day this Friday, where a mass meeting will be held. He was being interviewed by MaltaToday Online Editor Kurt Sansone.

He was asked about the db group's ITS site application, and if he agrees with it. Delia said that there are laws which need to be observed regardless of what project it is or who owns the project.  If it results that a project is not in line with the law it should not pass, and those in line with policy should, he said. " From the information I have it is against regulations and so no I don't agree that it should be given permission." He spoke about the interests of the thousands of Pembroke residents there.

The PA board will decide on the application this Thursday.

Asked if the PN's representative on the PA board Marthese Portelli will vote against, he said that the majority of the information has been given mainly came from her as the PN's representative on the PA Board, and said that unless the project drastically changes by Thursday to conform, "then I believe she will vote against."

Delia was also asked about a number of PN MPs, including himself, who voted against the Domestic Violence Bill. Delia said that the PN condemns every kind of violence. His issue with the bill, he said, was that the protection for the unborn child should not have been removed from the law through it. He said that the message he wanted to send was that he is completely against domestic violence, but did not want to have the protection for the unborn child, which was in the law at the time, removed through the changes.

"Violence is never an excuse and cannot be accepted."

Daphne Caruana Galizia

Turning to the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, he was asked whether he feels uncomfortable when a number of MPs attend the vigils where he is criticised.

He said that he does not feel uncomfortable, adding that this is a prime example of freedom of expression. He said that he will fight to his last breath for everyone's right to criticise. "That is freedom of expression, and not where if you don't agree with government they would put pressure on you."

He said that when the assassination occurred, not only was a journalist killed, a mother, but it was an attempt to kill freedom of expression.

"The fact that someone is killed for her not to continue speaking is the murder of freedom of expression in a democratic society, and that is a threat to democracy. We must never forget or stop fighting so that what she died for will never end up having been for nothing and without consequence."

He was asked whether he is ready to raise road tariffs to deal with traffic issues. He said he is not but has begun working on mass transportation plans, adding that one cannot wait so long in traffic in the smallest EU nation. He spoke of the need for capital expenditure.

On government's current strategy, he said that in two to three more years Malta will be at a gridlock again, adding that by the next general election, the PN will have plans to deal with the traffic issues.

He was asked how he is going to convince environmentalists, who have been hearing pro-environment rhetoric, that he will keep his word, and not allow big business interests to take over if he is elected Prime Minister. He said that until today, "we have always seen the environment as something against development, as if they oppose each other."

Today the world changed, he said, adding that there are solutions where the environment can be an economic engine itself. "The PN already said the environment will be a foremost priority, and it can be a generator of the economy." As an example, he said that when it comes to energy all government has done was make deals with questionable countries and hide contracts. He spoke about alternative energy, adding that Malta is small enough to attract green investment and become the first real carbon free country, to create afforestation projects, etc. We have an obligation to really create a new way of politics, not one party against the other, but working together, to find environmental solutions for our children, creating green lungs in all our cities."

IIP

Delia was asked about the IIP programme, saying that he would remove it. attracting different, better investment instead. He said that he and his wife had gone door to door for signatures against that bill which had introduced the IIP, "We are not for sale, Malta is not for sale." Asked about those inside the PN who make money off it, he said they are making money while it is there, and when different investment comes they can make there instead. "But I can guarantee that I never sold his country per principle. Money is not everything. Values are everything and love for your country is everything." He said he believes the economy will not only do well, but will do better, explaining that the Maltese economy has managed to achieve excellent results, attracting investors over the years, who viewed Malta as a serious country. He mentioned Malta's damaged reputation, attracting businesses who are not quite serious.

Delia was asked whether he agrees that the current President's term be extended for a second, something which never occurred in Maltese history.

Delia did not answer, however said that the time has come for a constitutional change to strengthen Malta's institutions, mentioning that government took all of the constitutional entities under its control, and that it must not be allowed to continue doing so.

"I want a more democratic and just country with good governance, where government does not manage to turn the AG into a puppet, where the AG himself would not breach the constitution, etc. I want the Maltese people to again feel proud of living in a free and democratic country."

On the President, he said it would be part of the constitutional discussions. He said that these should not be rushed due to the President's ending term in April, just for some to say that they did something. He said that perhaps the Police Commissioner, Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri should resign by April.