The Gozo tunnel project which will provide a permanent link between the islands is being carried out scrupulously, in the best interests of the country and according to planning and environment regulations, the government said.

It was replying – although the statement does not say so – to a statement issued by the Church Environment Commission which on Thursday raised questions about the project.

The government said that studies about the viability of the project have been conducted for many years. Technical, economic and environmental studies have been completed or are in the process of being finalised and will be published in the near future.

The development of a permanent link between Malta and Gozo is essential for Gozitan families to benefit from a better quality of life, while have the same social and economic opportunities as their Maltese counterparts.

The planning of the project included a social impact assessment and a cost-benefit analysis, which dealt with the viability of the project and positive and negative impacts it will generate. The environment impact assessment started in summer last year and its preliminary results will be published in the months to come.

A public consultation exercise will then be carried out before the final decisions are taken.

The government said it has an electoral mandate to carry out the project, for which there is also the Opposition’s support, the statement said.