Church against St John's museum extension - Muscat
Labour leader Joseph Muscat said today that the Catholic Heritage Commission and the Chapter of St John’s Co-Cathedral have written separately to MEPA and voiced their opposition to the underground extension of St John’s Co-Cathedral.
Speaking at the PL general conference, Dr Muscat said that the Catholic Heritage Commission had written to MEPA under the Curia letterhead referring to the museum extension plans and saying that “this commission strongly objects to the proposed extension to St John’s Co-Cathedral Museum”
The Cathedral Chapter had also discussed the issue and voted about it. It then also wrote to MEPA saying it was against any digging in front of the Cathedral.
Therefore, Dr Muscat said, if the Curia, the Chapter, the Opposition, the NGOs and the people were against this project, who was in favour? Why was the governemnt backing it? The government could not shirk responsibility for this project since the St John’s Foundation was half constituted by government representatives and also funded by the government itself.
Dr Muscat also referred to the proposed redevelopment of the Opera House site and said the government should have consulted the people on the use of the site. He personally did not think that its use for a Parliament was the best choice and other uses should be explored.
He asked what had happened to the proposed new road at Ghadira. A decision was meant to have been taken by January in order to be in time for EU funding. It was now February. What had happened to this project?
The absence of consultation and the ‘new levels of arrogance’ was also manifested in the way the government had suddenly changed its plans for the Ta’Qali crafts village.
And could anybody say what had become of the Malta Shipyards privatisation process? The opposition would help the government , but it would not be an accomplice, Dr Muscat said.
MINISTRY'S REACTION
The Infrastructure Ministry in a reaction recalled that last December the minister, Austin Gatt, had announced that the ADT was filing an application to MEPA asking it to consider the best routes with the least environmental impact, in terms of the Habitats Directive.
Once the necessary studies were made, the government would consider the most advantageous alternative.
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Joseph Mercieqa
Feb 1st 2009, 18:04
Finally somebody is shedding some light on the real issues within the heritage sector...I now look forward to a press release stating that the Foundation is not accountable to the ecclesiastical authorities (or to put it bluntly - to Mgr V Borg) but yet again they are neither accountable to the state superintendency...
To which government body are they accountable?
L. Bonnici
Feb 1st 2009, 14:05
Why does Dr. Muscat speak about these things now? Especially the Opera House redevelopment site... Dr. Gonzi came out with the news more than 2 months ago... why now??
Raymond Sammut
Feb 1st 2009, 14:02
In regard to the first two issues, the St John's and the Opera House, Dr Muscat has finally spoken out.
Dr Gonzi has a lot to explain as to why he has remained silent on the St John's proposed excavations which has alarmed so many, and as to why he made the announcement on the new proposed Parliament House without consulting the Opposition and the general public.
The two issues are squarely government responsibility, both in terms of funding and ownership, and Dr Gonzi is head of government.
With the St John's issue, Dr Gonzi has lied back and said nothing, for month after month, leading us to believe that he has no authority to intervene.
By contrast, with the issue of the new Parliament House, he came forward with the announcement without warning and as if it were a fait accompli, leading us to believe that he alone has the authority to decide and to proceed regardless.
In my view, these are not signs of good prime ministership. Dr Gonzi has a lot of reckoning to go through and sort out, else things could really start to go out of hand.
M Bonello
Feb 1st 2009, 13:29
I have to agree with all the points mentioned by Dr.Muscat. We seem to have a headless government that comes up with issues every now and then to shift attention on more important issues. Any updates?
Keep it up Joseph. You are being credible and well-prepared in your speeches.
Joseph Cauchi
Feb 1st 2009, 13:23
Dear Leader of the Opposition,
Your efforts should be directed at the government of the day in the way it is handling this continuous invasion of illegal immigrants to our shores and not waste our precious time in creating petty battles such as the extension of the St. John’ Co-Cathedral extension!
Let us prioritize our issues, please!
Or are we perhaps also incompetent in solving this invasion, by conveniently creating new issues to divert the people’s attentions?
The proof of the pudding is in the eating!
../..
.
Mario Farrugia
Feb 1st 2009, 12:53
good joseph, good