Reading a part of the Auditor General’s report that concerns the amount of revenue arrears that still has to be collected and, more so, the amount that is considered as uncollectable, is more than enough to convince one and all that up to 9 March we had the most irresponsible and scandalously inefficient administration ever!

The figures given by the Auditor General are mind-boggling. Up to the end of 2012, the government had €1.6 billion of arrears still uncollected. And – here comes the unbelievable part – €1.2 billion of this is considered uncollectable |

Here are some of the most scandalous cases of arrears still pending up to 2012: Transport, Infrastructure and Communication Ministry: €17.5 million; TV Licences: €10.4 million; Resources and Rural Affairs Ministry: €1.5 million; Customs Department: €65.5 million; Inland Revenue Department: €708 million. And in 2005 the Commissioner of Inland Revenue tried to get €1,700 of me in respect of an “omission” I was supposed to have made when I completed my income tax form for 1999 – when I did not have any tax arrears at all to pay! Thank God, the Commissioner lost his case in front of both the Board of Special Commissioners and the Court of Appeal! I wonder how many of those who still have not paid many thousands of euros to the Inland Revenue Department have been treated in the same manner! And the last example is the VAT Department which, up to the end of 2012, was still owed €698 million!

How right were the Maltese and Gozitan voters who decided to boot out GonziPN on 9 March!

May I take this opportunity to wish you, Mr Editor, and your staff, as well as your readers, my very best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

Eddy Privitera

MOSTA