Attorney General highlights fireworks' benefits to tourism
The Attorney General has appealed a landmark court judgment that could make a number of fireworks factories illegal, following on similar appeals by pyrotechnics enthusiasts.
In the appeal, the Attorney General said it was "disproportionate" that fireworks should be stopped in two feasts "just because one or two families' swimming pools get dirty".
"In Malta, we all put up with inconveniences because of the size of the island, like traffic, continuous construction, dust in the air, among other things but, since the Zammit Maempels live in a rural area, they don't have to put up with a lot of the inconveniences," the Attorney General said.
The case revolved around a complaint the Zammit Maempel family had made about fireworks let off close to their house for the feasts of St Helen and St Anthony in Birkirkara.
Permits for the fireworks had been issued, allowing them to be let off from areas closer to built-up zones than what the law actually stipulates. This could happen because the law defines inhabited area as a place where more than 100 people live. The family contested this and won the case and the judge declared the legal definition null and void because it discriminated against people who lived in sparsely inhabited areas.
In the appeal, the Attorney General said the judge cited rulings that were based on an examination between serious environmental pollution and the respect of privacy, family and home. The letting off of fireworks was certainly not serious environmental pollution nor was it continuous. Fireworks were very important to the island's traditions and religion and were also an integral part of the tourism economy because they attracted tourists during feasts.
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P Muscat
Apr 18th 2009, 22:48
The AG's appeal is in my opinion aimed at gaining a few more years with the current state of affairs and its principles are very dangerous.
Why should fireworks be allowed at all since only a few thousands out of 400 thousand are probably so enthusiastic about them??
The last serious fireworks accident when lives were lost seems to have already been forgotten.
R Azzopardi
Apr 18th 2009, 19:22
@ J Bonnici
Even during the stay of The Knights of St.John in Malta fireworks(salutes) were fired to commemorate or celebrate feasts. Think your question has been answered.
PS And The Knights of St.John without any doubt are ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH .
Franco Farrugia
Apr 18th 2009, 17:05
Of course fireworks are important, and of course they are a tradition. But THINGS HAVE TO CHANGE and we have to adapt.
So, in my opinion - but I know that for many enthusiasts, this will sound like nonsense, what the hell! - there should be a reduction of fireworks factories in the country. We cannot continue to have this same number of factories while buildings mushroom all over the island.
This is the same as ... well, other so-called 'traditions' we 'have' .... we have to adapt. We have to change. For the better.
And unfortunately, the Attorney General cannot see that.
Mr Peter Green's comment makes some sense.
Peter Green
Apr 18th 2009, 16:51
Is the attorney general acting politically?
We know how strong is the bond between the current government and the church.
It will be interesting to see what are the church's comments about this case.
If the church stays silent then we all know that all the things the church says about the festa paganism is all false and that the church endorses it.
The attorney general should read the church's environmental reports on fireworks since they highlight the pollution they create.
J. Bonnici
Apr 18th 2009, 15:01
Since when has the letting off of fireworks become important to our religion? Do we belong to the ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH or to a PYROTECHNIC sect?
john fenech
Apr 18th 2009, 14:17
It seems that safety and pollution are not on the preferential list of the Gentleman who is also the Government advisor! While we have to treasure our heritage and folklore we have to be considerate to others while doing so! While guidance as regard to noise, time and frequency would have been appreciated instead of go as you please policy!
What is not very clear is the interpretation of the Advocate General as to the distance of firework factories from habitable locations. Should these be permitted to be closer than 183 meters?
And since we live on a small Island it is alright to have the living daylights shattered for 4 months a year! Thanks for your kind and thoughtful gesture to institutionalise pollution!
Paul Barrett
Apr 18th 2009, 12:27
I agree with the first judge. Yes, fireworks are part of the tourist attraction (though I have some doubts as to the religious affiliation). The claim of not being a continuous hazard may be factually true but they do go on for an awful long time which appears endless, depending on where you live.
Pretty fireworks are fine if let off a safe distance from habitation but the ones that go bang are way out of control and should be banned on health grounds alone, never mind the annoyance factor to both the very young and the very old.
M Grech
Apr 18th 2009, 12:15
Fireworks can certainly be a tourist attraction, but fireworks are certainly not the sole reason for tourists to visit our islands. God forbid if that was so.....as we would be such a poor state indeed. However, this tourist attraction certainly doesn't justify excessive doses of fireworks. Excessive fireworks will not attract tourists, it only causes incovenience to tourists and even more to locals who have to cope with the situation through the whole year. Tourists only pity us at the lack of self control and law-less situation that continues to project a poor image as well as cause more inconvenience and controversy that should never happen. Rightsizing the fireworks market is now an emergency. More controls need to be in place with strict rules and market control. Lets not ridicule ourselves any more with foreigners, let's control the situation rather than try to justify such a pitiful situation by saying that tourism depends on our fireworks!
bmillam
Apr 18th 2009, 10:58
Fireworks are dangerous. a safe distance must be met to manufacture them. it must be even more of a danger when they are let off. if peoples swimming pools are affected then there houses and themselves must also be in danger. I agree with the first judge.