On the dot

Was it purely by coincidence that the report by the committee of experts working on a draft climate change strategy was presented to the Prime Minister, and then published, on the same day that a Private Member's Bill on the topic was debated in Parliament? You can fool some people some of the time but you cannot fool all the people all the time!

Consultations

How dare members of the parliamentary groups of the two big parties protest that they were faced with a fait accompli with regard to the choice of a President-in-Waiting? If they constantly say yes to their leaders, what do they expect?

Smart

Students are given Smart cards as an aid towards their post-secondary studies. Through them, they are also encouraged to learn how to budget their expenses. It is galling, then, to see that many shops selling items that are not school-related also accept the Smart cards. The fact that students have to wear clothes and shoes is neither here nor there; surely the funds were not meant to subsidise these.

Unfair

The latest issue of Mondadori's Guida TV indicates, on its cover, that the magazine Starbene is being offered free with that issue. However, one notes that the distributors have not made it available to the customers. Can somebody explain?

Dump

The space between the Scouts' headquarters in Floriana and the government residential home for the elderly has rapidly become a dumping site against all principles for health and safety. Who is responsible for all this? Action, please!

Schoolwork

The drivers of vans meant to pick up students from St Michael School, in Qormi still insist on parking along the middle of the street at the side of the school. This means that residents cannot get in, or out, if their cars are parked alongside the pavements or if they return home from work at this time. If an accident necessitating an ambulance or a fire engine were to occur, it would be even worse.

Waste

Items left outside for recycling on Tuesdays in a cardboard box were collected but a copy of the Yellow Pages and a telephone directory in a plastic bag were not. To some extent, this makes sense, because the cardboard box is recyclable too. However, it would have been a waste to use a large plastic bag for just two volumes.

Disruptions

It is all very well for parents to seek to broaden their children's horizons by taking them to extra-curricular activities. What infuriates residents of areas where these private lessons are held is the fact that people congregate there very early, block the streets, talk loudly and even leave litter behind them, week in, week out.

Ignored

Repeated calls in this column for action on various matters and inconveniences sometimes appear to fall on deaf ears irrespective of the fact that many are shortcomings of persons who should be accountable. Shortcomings are highlighted with the good intention of ameliorating the quality of life of citizens, to avoid danger and deplore irresponsible actions or the lack of action by whoever is responsible. The neglect of the deep pothole at the bend where December 13 Road, Marsa leads to the Menqa, pointed out in this column a few weeks back, is an example.

Berthing

To be deemed completely successful, the proposed yacht marina privatisation exercise ought to result in an equitable solution for the three parties involved: the government, the bidder/s and the consumer. The current berth shortage would favour the government and the bidders and would hit hard the current berth holders were they to be faced with exorbitant new rates. It would be wiser to increase berths rather than risk a situation where only the rich could afford to purchase berthing rights.

Expired

By the time the year's extension period for expired identity cards will have passed, many others will have expired too. This would technically make us a nation of non-entities. One hopes that during this period of grace a study is carried out that would enable a person's workbook number, national insurance number, blood group and other relevant information to be coded into the document too.

Salad

Most people realise that including citrus fruits in salads means that everything else becomes tainted with their taste, especially if they are stored in an air-tight container before being consumed. All this appears to have been lost on one particular food distribution company however because citrus segments are the commonest ingredients in the cups being sold. Customers would welcome a change.

Flashy

A small number of trees on the large centre strip in Blata l-Bajda, close to the Museum headquarters, still sport flashing white lights. Are they a remnant of the Christmas decorations or a permanent feature?

Exhaust

Commuters are constantly told that a wide-ranging public transport reform is finally on the horizon. Apart from the fact that many fear this may only be another mirage, one can only hope that buses will not be allowed to continue spewing black smoke in the face of passengers and motorists alike until the so-called, much longed-for reform arrives.

Waiting

The Ombudsman points his fingers primarily at consultants in relation to the waiting lists at Mater Dei Hospital. The consultants say it is not their fault. The authorities remain mum and patients continue to suffer. Will the usually bold Social Policy Minister please set the record straight?