Parliament should stay in place

Ten years ago, on January 12, 1999, Joe Debono Grech, from the Labour Party, and I, from the PN side, jointly suggested in Parliament (sitting no. 48) that the Dun Mikiel Xerri monument (at present in Independence Square) should be relocated to the other side of the Sette Giugno monument on St George's Square in Valletta.

The then Education Minister Louis Galea, answering a question on March 2 of the same year, said that the Museums Department was having talks with other competent authorities about the suggestion. Ten years is way more than enough.

Now is the opportune time to take a decision while preparations are in hand to rehabilitate Palace Square together with the underground car park.

This particular square in our capital city is witness to our glorious political history. The two monuments opposite each other are a vivid testimony to two important events for our freedom and self-government. The other events are cast in marble on the façade of the Palace Square: our first Constitution and self-government, the award of the George Cross for galantry and freedom, Independence and the making of the Republic of Malta. Their records are in the Archives of the House of Representatives.

That is why Parliament should remain in the proximity of this historical space and all in all this entire project should be part of the regeneration of Valletta.