PM - Government analysing Labour plan on energy

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has pledged to keep the Maltese tourism industry competitive after what had already been a record year for tourism in Malta.

Gonzi visited the Cavalieri Hotel in St Julian's today together with tourism minister Mario De Marco, where he talked of the positive tourism trends in Malta in the past five years, when compared with those of Mediterranean competitors Cyprus and Greece.

Gonzi was later quizzed by the press on the Labour Party's proposals for cheaper energy bills, unveiled earlier today, in which the PL pledged a 25% reduction on bills by 2014.

"We still need to analyse the precise details of PL's proposals. I implore the Labour Party to publish all the technical reports that justify the proposals being submitted. It is crucial that we know the names of the private companies that have been approached," Gonzi said, defending his government's record in providing "the lowest possible tariff rates, but in a sustainable manner, never endangering the countries' finances."

"From what I have gathered at this early stage, it appears that the Labour Party is endorsing the government's energy policy with regards to the Sicily interconnector as well as the use of natural gas," Gonzi said.

"The difference is that a gas pipeline is the government's preferred option, whilst it is still unclear what the Labour Party is proposing. Once we have acquired all the necessary technical documents we will be in a position to comment further. This is a serious matter. We have to see the studies in question. Without submitting these documents to expert analysis these plans cannot be treated with credibility."

Pushed on the government's own policy, Gonzi said the government had already published "its own litany of studies and proposals."

"Our commitment to the Malta-Sicily interconnector project has already been made public. Everybody knows where they stand with the government. I am appalled by the way the Labour press conference was conducted - despite all the hype, no tangible studies were published.

"Everyone would like to benefit from cheaper utility bills, but this has to be done in a sustainable manner and not as part of a political gimmick. The government has already dedicated €25 million in taxpayers' money towards keeping energy bills stable.

"Vulnerable members of society such as those currently on social benefits or with low income levels currently enjoy subsidised rates. Another significant difference between the PN and the PL is that we have incentivised both private households as well as industry to invest in more sustainable energy forms, with a particular focus on photovoltaic panels."

Gonzi refused to comment on his party's decision not to field Marsaxlokk activist Hermann Schiavone, ostensibly for refusing to publish a retraction of accusations he had made against Nationalist MP Franco Debono.