Foundation regrets Pullicino Orlando comments on St John's

Mgr Philip Calleja, president of the St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation, has expressed the foundation’s regret at remarks made by Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando in Parliament on the proposed extension to the St John’s Co-Cathedral Museum.

Mgr Calleja said in a statement that the foundation regretted most of all that Dr Pullicino Orlando chose to repeat the 'many inaccurate claims' made by an NGO while ignoring the denials or clarifications issued by the foundation over the past months.

He said the foundation would be carrying out an extensive independent Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) under the control of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.

"Rather than deciding for MEPA, Dr Pullicino Orlando should ensure that the Environmental Impact Assessment covers all matters of concern such as the underground passages, the excavations of the square, etc," Mgr Calleja said.

He insisted that the foundation would never take risks that would involve any apparent or real damage to the Co-Cathedral itself or to historical adjacent buildings.

On EU funding, Mgr Calleja said that following a public call - that all Maltese entities were encouraged to submit proposals for - the foundation made a detailed and technical submission in line with the published regulations.

"It has to be recalled that the foundation remains an independent entity and is free - like other bodies - to apply for EU funds. It cannot, however, be held responsible for the failure of other entities to submit suitable projects for these funds," Mgr Calleja said.