Today I wish to comment on some major events that happened during these past two weeks, and which have gone relatively unnoticed by the people at large, probably due to the summer laziness or media focus elsewhere

The first is the pre-budget document in which, as is customary, the government outlines its plans as a basis for discussion with the social partners and the general public, and comments are invited.

The global economic uncertainty continues, with the United States saving the day with a last-gasp agreement that prevented further collapse and, closer to us, Italy and Spain experiencing their own serious slumps. The markets have reacted badly to the situations in Italy and Spain, where a lot of explaining had to be done. Spending has to be at a premium; otherwise we are looking at bleaker times ahead.

One could follow the goings-on in Italy during live transmissions of speeches in the parliament, which lately decided on austerity measures.

In all this, tiny Malta is not doing badly at all. We do have our limitations and our faults, but on the whole we have fared well and better than most countries.

This pre-budget document gives a 360-degree look around Malta’s economy, with some good ideas for the future in a bid to improve the local situation, albeit keeping in mind the greater scenario around us. The document takes financial and economical stock of the present situation.

I am in favour of investing the public’s money through serious investment that does not waste the funds available. The faster this point is taken on board, the faster the criticism will stop. Personal glorification should not be done out of taxpayers’ money, as happened recently in inauguration ceremonies for two projects.

We look forward to a positive dialogue with society on this pre-budget document, which has the ultimate goal of reaping what we have sowed.

Another point of interest is the signing of a deal with two private hospitals, where eye cataract operations will be carried out at the expense of the government. This was a truly good move from an ever improving Health Minister, Joe Cassar. Of course, the longer we live, the longer we need these kind of operations, such as hip and knee replacements. Health services will continue to be free of charge. This has been confirmed and reaffirmed by the prime minister himself. Hopefully, there will not be any more speculation to give a distorted picture of the health services provided by the government.

Such deals, aimed to make people’s lives better, should be highlighted.

Another number worthy of note is the tens of thousands of operations that were held at Mater Dei Hospital in recent months. Surely these numbers mean something. Many families benefit from such top notch operations – and, I emphasise, free of charge.

If we can get the money, the facilities and the manpower to wipe out other waiting lists too, then Dr Cassar would have passed his political test with flying colours.

The news that thousands of families took up the energy saving schemes is most welcome. This scheme, funded by European regional funds, attracted a good number of applications. Solar solutions are the present and future for energy saving. Anybody investing in them, and there are many, is a sure winner.

I am quite positively surprised on the reactions that my articles have had in various newspapers. I do not contribute all the time, and do not write lengthy articles, as they tend to be repetitive, long drawn and tedious to read. Added to this, my contributions take somewhat of a long time to be accepted by some other media. But the feedback I get spurs me on. It seems that the truth does hurt, although pointing it out seems to be, for a minority, a problem. To others the truth is fundamental, correct and upright. In fact, bar some very frail excuses, nobody ever contradicted what I wrote, so I assume the facts are correct.

Robert Arrigo is parliamentary assistant in the Finance Ministry