Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said this evening that the Whistleblower Act would come into force by end July, reaffirming one of his party's major pre electoral pledges.

Turning to the Controlled Vehicular Access (CVA) system in Valletta, he said that the government was seeking to reform it after the next budget, adding that one had to decide whether to scrap the whole system or have the charging time changed.

“It’s unacceptable to hear that business in Valletta is on the decline, as shop owners are stating is the real current situation,” he said, partly attributing the business decline to the present CVA system.

He also announced that the Cabinet will be meeting in different localities to address issues that crop up in each locality while adding that the Cabinet will be conducting public consultation meetings every six months.

Dr Muscat was speaking during the last of a series of public consultation sessions held at Auberge de Castile themed ‘a government that listens’ held over the past three weeks.

On the public transportation system, he said that his government inherited an unacceptable public transport system, slamming the previous government for having spent thousands in consultancy fees in a bid to reform the system.

Describing the Park and Ride site as a “cemetery”, Dr Muscat said that he hoped that the situation would be addressed.

On the government’s commitment to reduce the energy tariffs, he said that it was a positive sign that the media wasn’t bombarding the government on the situation tied to the energy plans, adding that this meant that everything is going ahead as planned.

On photo voltaic panels, Dr Muscat said that the government executed a decision to reach the EU’s 2020 renewable energy targets through the use of solar systems.

Dr Muscat said that a Maltese business delegation would visit South Africa in the near future, adding that despite Malta forming part of the European Union and this government having every intention to abide by its rules, this government feels that economic growth can mostly be achieved through the strengthening of ties with countries outside the EU, emphasising on “good neigbourhood”.

Defending his decision to appoint a Chinese company to conduct a study on the feasibility of a bridge between Malta and Gozo, which was blacklisted by the World Bank, he said that he had no problem in accepting an invitation by a Chinese company to conduct a study for free.

Turning to minority rights, he said momentarily, the government is focusing on introducing rights for such groups.

On student stipends, he said that students would be paid pro rata according to COLA as from the next budget.

Dr Muscat said that when the Department of Contracts issues a call for tenders, it should include what the department expects from bidders, outlining a “model” answer to what is expected.

He reiterated that national holidays should be celebrated by all, removing the mentality of belittling each other.

He said that the wording of the current Constitution should be changed according to today’s realities.

Dr Muscat said that underage children should not have access to gambling machines, referring to an individual who expressed concern over not being allowed to install gambling machines in his establishment.

On the gas pipeline, Dr Muscat said this country should become a hub of conventional and renewable energy and not necessarily look to the north but also look at the south to purchase gas, referring to South Africa.