Tackling fireworks once and for all

Much has been written about the fireworks question, especially after the recent tragedy in Naxxar. Nobody has mentioned, however, the question of the firing of petards from barges during the feasts of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in St Julians and of Stella Maris and St Gregory in Sliema. These barges tend to be placed too close to the shore - whether according to law or not, I don't know. And the firing of petards sometimes goes on to a very late hour disregarding the respect one should have for the neighbourhood, young children, the sick and old people living in the area.

Apart from the waste of money - I understand that last year for the feast of Stella Maris alone, €18,635 (Lm8,000) were collected and spent on fireworks - there is also the risk of an explosion on the barges, not to mention the other risks connected with the transportation of these explosives first by road and then by sea. Who will be held responsible if anything happens during transportation? Who are the persons legally authorised to fire these explosives? And up to what time? Under whose control do they fall?

Does anybody care about the excessive noise, loud and incessant bangs, smoke, danger and annoyance caused? Above all, there is the risk of an explosion on one of these barges which would certainly cause damage in the neighbourhood if not also loss of life.

Last October I wrote to the coordinator for the media, Social Communication Secretariat, Maltese Archdiocese, Floriana about the celebration of religious feasts in Malta and Gozo, appending a copy of most of the correspondence which appeared in the media on the question of fireworks etc, but, to this day, I haven't even received an acknowledgement! Which may indicate little interest on the part of the Church in the problem, or in the waste of money which could instead be given to a needy institution, or in the danger and inconvenience the fireworks create.

I appeal to both civil and Church authorities to get their heads together and once and for all issue very strict instructions and regulations, besides those already in existence, about fireworks and their manufacture, storage, transportation, firing, etc. Responsible persons (no amateurs) must also be held accountable for anything that may happen if the regulations are not strictly adhered to.

These would include the parish priests themselves. This matter needs to be tackled urgently before another tragedy takes place and before the forthcoming festa season starts, out of the respect that both Church and state should have for the public.