Cathedral foundation reacts to JPO statement

The St John's Co-Cathedral Foundation has reacted strongly to criticism made by Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando against its project, saying that, rather than "deciding for Mepa", the MP should make sure the decision-making process runs as it should.

On Thursday Dr Pullicino Orlando rubbished the foundation's plans to extend the Co-Cathedral's museum underground, branding them as "extravagant".

But the foundation clearly took exception to his position, delivered during the parliamentary debate on the budget, saying it regretted the comments.

Dr Pullicino's outburst, which came after a period of political limbo after the election, was in line with that of environmentalists, with whom he had fallen foul following the controversy that had surrounded an application for an open-air disco to be built on ecologically sensitive land the MP owns in Mistra.

Mepa members involved in the case have said they had approved the controversial project after they were pressured by the MP.

Dr Pullicino Orlando had insisted that he had done nothing which went beyond how he acted when dealing with the request of a constituent but never denied the contact with the board members.

"Rather than deciding for Mepa, Dr Pullicino Orlando should ensure that the environmental impact assessment for the Co-Cathedral covers all matters of concern such as the underground passages, the excavations of the square..." the foundation said.

Mgr Philip Calleja, president of the St John's Co-Cathedral Foundation, said the foundation further regrets that Dr Pullicino Orlando chose to repeat inaccurate claims made by an NGO while ignoring the denials and clarifications issued by the foundation over the past few months.

The Nationalist MP called on the government to divert funds allocated for the underground extensions of the museum to the urgent restoration of forts St Elmo and St Angelo, saying they should be prioritised.

However, he also called into question the soundness of the plans, stressing that the architect responsible for the project was not giving guarantees that the extension would not harm the Co-Cathedral.

But the foundation pointed out that it will be carrying out an extensive independent environment impact assessment under the control of the planning authority, and which will assess the full implications for the proposed museum expansion.

Mgr Calleja also reiterated that the foundation would never take risks that would involve any apparent or real damage to the Co-Cathedral itself or to adjacent historical buildings.

The young MP also questioned how the government had sought €14 million from EU structural and cohesion funds for the controversial project.

He even wondered how the project had been selected for EU funding in the first place.

But in reply to this, Mgr Calleja explained that following a public call, the foundation made a detailed and technical submission in line with the published regulations for the EU's structural funds programme.

"It has to be recalled that the foundation remains an independent entity and is free - like all other bodies - to apply for EU funds," he said.

"Surely Dr Pullicino Orlando is aware that there are other EU funds available that could still be allocated to valid projects, including the restoration of forts and bastions."