'Dolphinarium, yes or no?', one of over 60 Opposition questions

GIBRALTAR
(Panorama) Shadow Minister for the Environment Fabian Picardo will press Government to say whether they are in favour or against the establishment of a dolphinarium at Rosia. Mr Picardo has given notice of over 60 questions for the Government to answer at the meeting of Parliament which starts tomorrow, Thursday. Mr Picardo has tabled a number of questions to probe the Government’s policy in relation to alternative energy sources.>

He will want to know what sites have been established as suitable for use for the establishment of such sources. He will also ask what commercial contacts the Government has had in respect of the establishment of alternative sources of energy for Gibraltar. Mr Picardo will seek to establish what progress has been made on the start of the next stage of renewable energy planning which was to focus on a feasibility study for setting up wind turbines locally, with the possibility of onshore and offshore turbines.

The Opposition environment spokesman has given notice of a number of questions regarding the on-going epidemiological study. He will want to know what additional data has been requested by the consultants producing the study and whether the Government still expect that it will be completed by the last quarter of the year. Mr Picardo will also press Government to publish the study in full once it has been completed.

In his capacity as Shadow Minister for Broadcasting, Mr Picardo will ask when the Government expect that GBC television will be transmitting digitally. He will also ask whether Government has now earmarked premises for GBC television and radio to move from South Barrack Road.

Fabian Picardo has also tabled a wide range of questions as Shadow Minister for Financial Servcies. He will ask the Government when they expect to publish the new tax legislation. He will also want to know how many companies have gone into liquidation in each financial year since 2007/2008 owing the Government more than £25,000, or separately more than £50,000 in PAYE and more than £50,000 in social insurance. He will also ask how many new banking licenses have been issued, withdrawn by the applicant or refused.

On other matters, Mr Picardo has tabled a question in order to establish on what date the services being provided to Government by Gibraltar Investment Holdings Ltd (a company which has already received in excess of £3m in fees) were put out to tender, how many tenders were received and why the company was chosen to provide the service. He will also ask how much more, over and above the £3m already paid has been paid to that company in respect of salaries or fees for a whole range of sixteen different projects.

He will also probe the number of occasions that the Chief Minister has met with the Attorney General and the Commissioner of Police together at No 6 Convent Place since the start of 2010, with a list of dates, the purpose of the meetings and the names of anyone else present.