Prime Minister hopes Police following PAC proceedings

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat is "hoping" that the Police were following the proceedings within the Public Accounts Committee discussing the Auditor General's report on Enemalta's fuel procurement between 2008 and mid-2011.

After instances of when Enemalta purchased fuel oil which was off specifications with higher sulphur content were revealed during a meeting of the PAC, Muscat today said the government would seek answers.

"I want these issues to be clarified. It is unacceptable that the country paid for a product which was not according to the levels requested," Muscat told an annual general meeting of the Rahal Gdid PL club.

Next week, the Prime Minister will be in Brussels to take part in the October EU leaders summit where Muscat is expected to take a "firm stand" with the EU over irregular migration.

"I will make my position clear. I will not hold back from declaring where I disagree with Europe and I will declare it publicly. Maybe they would not need a unanimous consensus to pass decisions, but Malta must make its voice heard," Muscat said.

Ahead of Muscat's trip to Brussels, Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras will be in Malta tomorrow for talks.

On the other hand, Muscat insisted, the Opposition leader "simply doesn't get it".

"He [Busuttil] questioned the government's decision to take in the shipwrecked migrants. We have to show our humanity as a country, but stand firm with Europe. Because just like Europe demanded solidarity during the financial crisis, it must now demand solidarity on this issue as well."

Turning to the Civil Liberties Act which is now at its second reading in parliament, Muscat said the government had a strong mandate to introduce civil unions. He however questioned the Opposition's position on the issue.

"Even if the Opposition eventually votes in favour of the law, all this hesitation shows that there is no consensus among the Nationalist parliamentary group," he said, adding that the PN was not "in full agreement" with equality.

Muscat added that an Opposition vote in favour of civil unions would be guided "by convenience".

Speaking on the Identity Investment Programme, commonly known as the citizenship scheme, Muscat said the government was ready to take on board a number of proposals being made by the Opposition.

He said he agreed with proposals which seek further scrutiny but disagreed with others which would act as hurdles and increase red tape.