Transport Minister Aaron Farrugia referred to the increase of vehicles who have an Y plate as ‘demand and supply economics,’ as he was involved in a parliamentary row with PN MP Adrian Delia on the subject.

During the parliamentary questions session on Wednesday, Farrugia was asked supplementary questions by Delia, who continued to ask about the total of Y plate licences issued in the past years, claiming that four licenses are issued each day.

Farrugia accused Delia of resorting to bad politics by posting on his Facebook page on the matter, and said that government will be asking for garages where these vehicles are parked to be certified by an architect.

Delia further asked what government’s plan is, and if it will be that they will issue thousands more Y plate licenses.

Shouting ensued between the two as Delia asked for a point of order to withdraw or substantiate a claim Farrugia made. Delia claimed that the country’s population has increased due to government importing more people to work in the country.

“Honourable Delia does not understand that the country has seen an increase in population, so every service has to increase, this is demand and supply economics,” Farrugia said.

He asked if Delia, if he was Minister, would cap the amount of the service.

When Delia asked if government will continue increasing the population by importing thousands of workers in the country, Farrugia replied that the economy has not increased due to the importation of foreign people, but because they have come to Malta themselves and enjoyed the vibrant economy.

Farrugia alleged that he was left out of a block-vote, reported by a local newspaper, to which Delia said that Farrugia must have the decency to first table the newspaper he was quoting, unaware of the subject matter.