‘Fenech’s had some apparition again’ – Muscat fobs off minister’s doubts [WATCH]

It's never a bad time to pick on the finance minister for his claim in parliament that the Virgin Mary was shedding tears for Malta voting in favour of divorce... but what does it have to do with Tonio Fenech's doubts on Labour's energy plan?

"I really don't know... I think he must have had another apparition from the Virgin Mary and told him that," Joseph Muscat quipped when asked by MaltaToday about Fenech's claims that Labour's gasification unit needs strong foundations at Delimara.

Labour are proposing that the gasification unit is built on the same area that the old turbines of the Delimara power station are sited.

But Tonio Fenech claims this proposal alone incurs another €40 million in capital costs, just to strengthen the foundations of reclaimed land at Delimara, that would site the gasification unit.

Muscat was busy meeting Enemalta workers at the old power house in Marsa - technically an 'illegal' power station, because Enemalta is paying MEPA a fine for keeping it in operation after it had to be decommissioned, as per EU requirements.

Muscat is pledging to shut down the old power station, as part of his plan to make a total conversion to gasoil and natural gas at the Delimara power station.

He will also turn the old power station area into a recreational and commercial project, to attract investment to the area.

"This power station will shut down as soon as possible and we will no longer depend on it. The standby will be Delimara Phase 2," he said, referring to that part of the Delimara power station that will run on gasoil.

Muscat also claims Enemalta, heavily in debt and running at a loss, will start making profits with Labour's plan.

"If we don't change, we will see a repeat of the dockyards at Enemalta by March," he said, warning of job losses for workers.

"We're duty bound to protect your jobs. If we don't do anything on energy, it will endanger your  jobs."

Muscat also said closing down Marsa would improve air quality, saying Eurostat surveys showed the Maltese in the highest areas of asthma incidence blamed the power station for the poor quality of air.

Accompanied by his wife Michelle, the PL leader also visited the Bezzina family - Roland, a 32-year-old nurse, his wife Ritianne and their 8-year-old daughter and a baby of 7 months - and held brief conversations with residents in Marsa.