It was unacceptable for Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt to say that alternative energy was not feasible, Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Arnold Cassola said yesterday.

Speaking during a press conference, Dr Cassola said that 10 per cent of Malta's energy must come from renewable sources by 2020, as stipulated by the EU, but he urged the government to push for higher targets. He also said the island was an ideal location for solar and wind energy.

However, AD yesterday made it clear it wanted to break away from the environmental stereotype and yesterday announced a team of 12 spokesmen to cover a range of issues.

"We shall focus on a wide range of economic, social and ecological matters, which are of interest to Maltese society," Dr Cassola said, while stressing that the environment would continue to be the soul of the party.

The team includes two women, one of whom, Deborah Zahra, has just reached voting age and will be the spokesman for youth. Mary Anne Zammit will be spokesman for social protection and health.

Another new addition is German- born Henrik Piski, an IT specialist who will be spokesman for Communications and IT. Engineer Patrick Attard will continue to be spokesman for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues, an area which no other political party has designated. One of AD's main aims is to drive a campaign for the introduction of a public transport system which will be more comfortable and efficient to use than private cars, Dr Cassola said.

Another core issue for AD regards the increasing number of respiratory diseases caused by pollution.

"We want to reduce government spending on medication by improving air quality," he said.