The government is investing in the Malta people want through capital projects and by establishing a Malta with greater infrastructure which is prepared for today as well as the future, Energy and Environment Minister Miriam Dalli said while speaking in parliament during a debate about the Environment Ministry's budget.

Dalli said that the government has brought forward the best budget, which she said is investing in the country's future. She commented that Malta's strong economy is the basis with which the government can establish a healthier environment, and "a Malta which we all deserve". She said that the government is establishing project after project to leave Malta better than it is.

She spoke of new open spaces, the regeneration of certain areas, and better upkeep of existing spaces as some of the primary initiatives. She continued that the Environment Ministry has the lead on a number of projects, but added that it is also important that such an effort is being supported by various government entities.

The Minister remarked that the government decides, and does not only sign petitions. She further commented that a nationalist government had given Manoel Island up for development, while the government will be turning it into a national park.

Dalli said that the government has enacted concrete action with regard to climate change and has not just stopped at declarations. She also spoke of how the Auditor General has stated that Malta is making strong progress with regard to climate change action.

Parliamentary Secretary for Public Cleanliness Glen Bedingfield said that the budget is one which supports an economy based on quality and excellence, and not only on the quantity of production.

Nationalist Party MP Rebekah Borg spoke of the importance of preserving the country's environment, and said that the PN is not against development as a whole, but rather is in favour of sustainable development which does not harm the environment. Fellow PN MP Eve Borg Bonello remarked that climate change was not mentioned at all during the government's three-hour budget speech.

PN MP Mark Anthony Sammut spoke of how there seems to be a lack of merit in the appointments handled within certain government entities. Primarily speaking about ARMS, he questioned how appointment boards make their decisions when it comes to choosing who to employ or promote for certain positions, as he said that there have been cases of people with a school-leaving certificate being in a position above those who have studied and worked to earn a degree.

He commented that in some cases, the primary factor taken into consideration seems to be how close someone is to the Labour Party. He said that it is ultimately the people who need the services of these entities who suffer when having to deal with individuals who are unqualified for the position which they hold.