Speaking in parliament yesterday, Mr Galea replied to remarks by Opposition MP Joe Mizzi by saying that the MMA did not do as it pleased and had to abide by the orders of the Mepa. Mr Galea said the MMA had to increase its spending and investment at the two terminals to be in line with the Mepa’s requirements. “But as long as we end up with a better end product, we do not really mind. We want terminals at Cirkewwa and Mgarr that can keep up with today’s demands as well as those of the future,” he said.

Mr Galea said that the term “all weather port” was interpreted incorrectly in the MLP’s ranks. “An all weather port does not mean a port that is operational 24 hours a day, 356 days a year. It means a port that can operate a service without as many interruptions as it has today. It will mean a port that will operate much better than what we have at present,” said Mr Galea. He said the MMA was putting in the effort to upgrade the two terminals for the good of the whole country. “Gozo gets three million visitors and 750,000 cars a year. And now we have our international obligations as well. We want to offer a good service to Maltese and Gozitan workers who have to travel between out islands as well as tourists who want to visit,” he said.