@ Macduff

Just two points –

It seems that you have not been anywhere near the University or the MCAST within the past 10 years. You have also not been following the news. If yo had you would know that both institutions have invested heavily (in the case of the University over 50M Euros in just the past three years) in upgrading their research infrastructure. This has already resulted in a number of patents and major publications that have had a decent exposure on the local newspaper.

I can assure you that for the past 20 years I have never lacked research funds as my team are busy publishing and writing grant applications. Where there is a will there is a way.

Our students are spread throughout the World and have prominent jobs as prime investigators and busy publishing in high impact journals. If yo had pointed out the fact that these important achievement are rarely ever publicised, then I would have agreed with you.

As for the last century – well I was referring to around 20 years ago – when yes the building industry was one of the prime economical players. Today, its importance has been reduced in size and Malta’s economy is now based on its main natural resource – an educated workforce.

As for alternative energy – I have nothing against it and in fact I have personally invested heavy on solar energy (out of my own pocket). But for the Government to invest very heavily at this moment, would result in either an increase in the budget deficit or an increase in water and electricity bills (can you imagine the uproar) or an increase in tax. This would result in scenario – less cash in hand and thus a drastic reduction in spending power. This is for sure a recipe for disaster.

Closing the Marsa power station (buying electricity from the European grid) and reducing traffic congestion, is enough so as not to pay any fines. Another possibility is to buy carbon credits on the open market.

@Snoopy

“Are these issues that have to be tackled now?”

Yes. If we don’t, we may have to pay much more later on. How can you sustain economic growth without proper energy generation? Are you aware that Malta may face EU fines if we do not deal with gas emission? Do you know that our water reserves may run out in a few years time?

I’m sorry, I don’t agree with the removal of streaming in primary schools and the setting up of colleges, or whatever they are. I firmly believe the whole project will prove to be detrimental in the long run (the UK comprehensive schools spring to mind). As regards to our tertiary education, it doesn’t make sense to spend millions on stipends and then have ill-equiped facilities and meagre research opportunities. Also, I feel our education system is too didactic. You are not encourged to think for yourself but just remember as much as you can and then regurgitate everything in the exam. Does it cater for today’s world? No.

As regards the rent reform, spare me the “prudence” and the “balanced approach” and all that faffing around. It should have empowered property owners more. Period.

The government hasn’t tried to impeach Scerri Herrera, has it? And did the Commission for the Admistration of Justice investigate the Magistrate, or not?

You cannot consider the construction industry in isolation. To what extent does the service industry, including the banks, depend on construction? And Snoopy I think you should know that a century ago Malta’s economy depended on the British military base, not construction.

@ Macduff

It seems that you are living in a country that is far and far away!

Water reserves, energy generation, gas emissions, they are all fine on paper but they would also mean higher electricity and water bills – contrary to what everyone thinks, alternative energy is clean energy but it is not free and in fact it is more expensive. These are again issues being faced by almost all of the world and the main reason that most are quite inactive about them, is that it would mean a reduction in competitiveness. Are these issues that have to be tackled now?

The education system – one of the earliest complaint about the education system was heard almost 200 years ago and it was repeated with every government of every colour! The truth is that at the moment the number of students attaining a tertiary level of education is on a steep increase and is at present almost 60% for those born between 1991 and 1992. Unfortunately the statistics include persons between 15 and 64 years of age – so all of those that were in school in the 70’s and early 80’s and during which years the birth rate was very high – 8000- 10000/year. Thus the overall statistic is skewed towards a lower attainment in this age group – something that no government can do anything about – if you are 45 years of age and have hardly finished secondary school, there is no way that you can ever achieve tertiary education.

Rent reform – I think that the government was very prudent here as one cannot dismantle a 50 year old system in just a pen stroke. So the reforms have to be done in slow fashion – this would be the same for any government more so for a conservative socialist one!

Our dependence on the property market for economic growth – take a look at the NSO figures and you would be surprised – you are still living in the last century.

The less-than-respectable members of the judiciary – I believe the last time that the Government tried to impeach some of them, it was the Opposition that stopped the process – don’t forget you need 2/3 majority.

Will you explain the correct usage of “elucidate” to Mr Micallef, or shall I?

I alread gave you several examples. The most glaring, of course, is the eighteen months’ salary given to ex ministers and parl secs for abslutely nothing

U bil-provi!

ChavRus, any observer of human behaviour will tell you that bullies who scream, punch their desk, stamp their feet and generally try to intimidate others (think of Mintoff and you’ll see what I mean) are actually insecure and scared people. By this yardstick, the weakest PM we ever had was your hero: Mintoff himself.

Oh I see. Most of those lambasting the government and the Nationalist Party – transparently because of personal grudges – just cannot understand that backtracking and changing are as important tools for management as determination to plough ahead.

It baffles me how on occasions these same people criticise government officials for lending nothing but a deaf ear or of unmercifully “crushing” past and over Mr John Doe, and when the same government reviews its decisions, it is considered weak.

They seem to long for times when the government forged ahead and if one disagreed, then, God help him.

There is a picturesque Italian idiom that explains their inconsistency

Non sapere che pesci prendere!

Yes the PM appoints tte ministers/parl. secs BUT (and a very big but it is too) the PM is only PM as long as a majority of MPs are ready to back him. And Gonzi has been buying that backing with our money.

[Daphne – You see it as buying backing with money (an example, please). I see it as sensible people-management. It is a sound reflection on his character that, no matter how much he might feel like telling certain characters to go and stuff themselves, he doesn’t.]