PN hits out at ‘paranoid’ government

The Nationalist Party insisted that it is in the national interest to ensure that any project handled by the Labour government is compliant with all EU rules, from transparency to health and safety and all environmental concerns.

"The hysterical statement issued by the Labour Party alleging that the PN leader used EP contacts to question Labour's power station plans is seriously worrying and undermines the Labour Party credentials," the PN said.

Yesterday, the Labour Party issued a statement in which it accused newly elected PN leader Simon Busuttil of using his European Parliament contacts to hinder the government from continuing with its plans to reduce electricity tariffs.

Labour took umbrage at a question tabled by a member of the European People's Party in the European Parliament and said the PN refused to understand that a heavy fuel oil power station and the controversial BWSC contract were the worst possible choice for the country.

In a statement issued today, the PN retorted that it is the right of every EU MEP to raise questions on the actions of member states, their relationships with the EU and the body of directives and regulations.  

"The Opposition has proven to be very responsible throughout the process, not adopting the Labour-in-Opposition tactics of past legislatures that used to leave no stone unturned to hinder and disturb national scale projects like BWSC, the St. Antnin waste treatment plant and other important initiatives, at every stage of the process," the PN said.

The PN also pointed out that it had raised its questions transparently in the Maltese Parliament, "even though the Government has not been forthcoming in its response, choosing instead to go round in circles when answering Parliamentary questions."

The government seems to be ignoring that there is a world outside Malta that includes international bidders who have contacts with EU MEPs and with whom they might have spoken and raised responsible questions which the Government has in turn failed to answer, the Opposition added.

"The Government needs to respect democracy both at a local and a EU level, and needs to do away with its agenda of attempting to silence anyone who questions it by labeling them as "xewwiexa" - to use Joseph Muscat's words, and as acting against the national interest."