The Justice and Home Affairs Ministry is a vast portfolio that carries with it responsibilities which are great. These responsibilities come in three very distinct categories, and are all issues which the Maltese feel strongly about.

The three, in no order of importance are justice, law enforcement and security and immigration.

Rather than looking at the three sectors in terms of law, they should be looked from a perspective of how they affect daily life. The Maltese judiciary has proven that the bribery cases were a blip. There exists confidence, trust and belief, in this institution which is so important to society. The system needs a drastic modernisation programme, but what is supremely important is the integrity which exists.

The other sections, law enforcement and security go hand in hand with the third. The AFM which falls under the security remit has come along in leaps and bounds over the last five years or so. While we are no arsenal, the AFM has tools with which to work, modern equipment, good personnel and good leadership. The AFM is the first European point of contact that many refugees have with Malta, and beyond. The local law enforcement sector then takes over and oversees the distribution of asylum seekers. This is all policy enforcement. While the debate on mandatory detention has dropped off the discussion table, it is still an issue. But when one considers the departure point, and the complete lack of military hardware, residences, support and solidarity from Europe and limited funds, Malta has responded well. Seven or eight years ago, one clearly remembers 30 odd immigrants being marched to court , handcuffed together and promptly deported. The areas where these people were housed were not at all up to standard. While things are not perfect, matters have improved. The diligent Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici has plodded a lonely path, and despite the obstacles, has finally succeeded in getting a commitment from European nations to take 323 immigrants as part of a Europe brokered deal.

This must be taken, not in the spirit of ‘getting rid of people’, but in acknowledging that Europe has finally made a firm commitment to show solidarity with Malta, in trying to help people find a better life. These people deserve help. Malta has got its act together and is responding as best as it can. The ministry and the AFM are co-ordinating to ensure that policy is executed to the letter. Malta’s policy is, regardless of what others do, “to save lives”. Europe has now pledged to assist us in helping these people, by giving them a new start.

While the hysteria continues to rage around us, we must not forget that 300-odd miles South of Malta, a humanitarian crisis continues. People are still losing their lives at sea, as the reports today have shown. As the weather improves and the Libyan conflict unfolds, more and more people will leave its shores.

Just yesterday, the AFM was called out once again to assist in rescuing immigrants near Lampedusa. This problem will not go away, and while Malta may have not got it right every time in the past, we must acknowledge that there has been a marked step forward, both in policy execution and in drafting policy. Although it was a good start, 323, is still few.