European Commission Executive Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation José Manuel Albares and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, together with the Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo, met in Brussels earlier today.
Members of the public are informed that due to the forthcoming by-election, all John Mackintosh Hall’s public facilities (including the Public Library) will be closed from Monday 1st to Saturday 6th July 2013.
Mr Speaker, it is always with a great deal of anticipation that I stand to deliver my Budget Address. As this House knows, this is my sixth Budget Speech and my second as Minister for Tourism, Commercial Affairs, Public Transport and the Port. Mr Speaker, without an ounce of exaggeration, I can tell this House, that it has been an absolute privilege and honour to be able to continue to serve our community during this last financial year in the areas of responsibility entrusted to me by the Hon the Chief Minister. And what a productive year it has been, Mr Speaker!
Mr Speaker, I have the honour to present my 2nd budget speech for responsibilities that form part of my Ministerial portfolio.
The 9th of December 2011 indeed saw a new dawn for Gibraltar politics. Since that day, my fellow Ministers and I have worked to bring about the agenda for change that the people of Gibraltar elected us to deliver.
The Government has, of course, an overreaching desire, and indeed a duty, to deliver stability, opportunity and growth across all areas for which we, collectively, have responsibility. But it also has a political responsibility to deliver fairness, equality and transparency in governance as well as providing the building blocks of a healthy and vibrant economy.