In reply to the Prime Minister’s monthly press conference last Saturday, Dr Vassallo criticised the government for shelving an environmentally friendly project which would have been beneficial to tourism while at the same time it imposed on Mepa to find a place for an unsustainable golf course.

“The decision to shelve the Connections Projects and the proposal to create an underground system in Valletta contrasts with the government’s sense of urgency on golf courses. While the Connections Project was an example of sustainable development that would have improved the quality of life of Maltese and tourists alike, the development of two golf courses is an example of unsustainable development that wastes the country’s scarce resources.

“It would have been far more beneficial if the government had shown the same persistence in finding partners from the private sector to make the Connections Project viable. This is another example of the government’s distorted sense of priorities,” Dr Vassallo said.

He criticised the government for dictating on Mepa to identify a number of sites that could be developed as golf courses.

“By reiterating the need to build two courses – one in Malta and the other in Gozo, the Prime Minister is directly interfering in the planning process. In a small country like Malta land, water and electricity are too scarce to be sacrificed for such development. Mepa should be left free to decide whether the development of golf courses is beneficial or not to Malta. In the light of all this political pressure, is Mepa free to decide against the development of golf courses?” asked Dr Vassallo.

Dr Vassallo challenged the

government’s claim that golf courses are essential for tourism.

“Studies show that a 7 square kilometre golf course (the size of Sliema) would only serve to increase tourism by 0.2 per cent (2,000 extra out of 1.2 million tourists). We are sure that Malta would attract even more tourists if the government takes proper care of our cultural and historical heritage that is in a state of decay. Tourists interested in Malta’s heritage and culture also spend more than the average sea-and-sun tourist. It makes more sense to take proper care of niche markets like dive tourism which is facing bleak times due to the development of fish farms too close to the shore.

Dr Vassallo said that AD will support the government if it seriously embarks in a reform of public transport. It is a scandal that a number of new buses that had been ordered by the government are not even being used. It is high time that the government embarks on a serious reform in this sector. It does not make sense that a basic public service is operated by the bus drivers themselves. The public transport authority together with local councils should have direct responsibility for regulating this service. While the state should guarantee basic services, the private sector should be given space to provide more specialised services, he said.

“Due to the Dar Malta affair the government is experiencing a crisis in its credibility. This decision has seriously undermined the government’s ability to push through any belt-tightening

measures. Another affair that is undermining the government’s credibility is the lack of accountability on the costs incurred for the Mater Dei hospital. The Prime Minister himself has announced that a number of high-level meetings are taking place to establish precisely and in detail the cost of the Mater Dei hospital – and whether they are justified. It is shocking to learn that the Nationalist government has ignored this issue for so many years. We should have known these matters a long time ago,” Dr Vassallo said.