Former Gozo MPs ask PM for more free ferry tickets

Former Gozo MPs have signed a petition asking for their 10 free Gozo Channel tickets a year to be increased to at least 24.

The free tickets were given to them after the company withdrew their free travel pass as part of cost-cutting measures.

A copy of the petition has been sent to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Anton Tabone.

Louis Refalo (PN), who organised the petition, said that one had to keep in mind that Gozitans did not go to Malta for a holiday but out of necessity. And former MPs had certain contacts in Malta which they wanted to keep.

Mr Refalo said that many former MPs did not make use of what they were entitled to. For example, many did not take their copy of the Government Gazette. Others did not use their two free Air Malta tickets a year.

Former MPs also have a subsidy of Lm300 a year on local telephone calls.

Although the Gozo group have not yet had a reaction from the Prime Minister, the Speaker has informed them that he will be asking the House Welfare Committee to look into the matter.

Besides Mr Refalo, the other former Gozitan MPs are Karmenu Borg, Lino Debono, Karmenu Buttigieg (MLP) and Victor Galea Pace (PN).

Gozo Channel chairman Joe Borg said the free travel passes had been withdrawn following a directive from the Government Investments Ministry as part of a drive to reduce the company's expenses. Former MPs were not the only ones to have lost their travel pass; others, such as the company's former chairmen, have also had to forfeit them, he said.

Company spokesman Marvic Fenech Adami said that before the measures were taken there were 255 free travel passes. These had now been reduced to 98.

The people who have free travel pass include members of the Maltese and European parliaments, the President and former presidents, former prime ministers, the Archbishop, bishops, Gozitan mayors as well as Gozo Channel staff and their partners.

Individuals who no longer are entitled to a free travel pass include former company chairmen and directors, former ministers, media representatives, company-related consultants and the spouses of Gozo MPs.