'Black dust report: Marsa power station remains suspect'

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told Parliament yesterday said that the link between the black dust in southern parts of Malta and the Marsa power station did not seem to result in a fresh report, but the plant would remain suspect. More studies were needed over a longer period of time to determine the truth and what measures to take.

Speaking at the end of the debate in Parliament on the votes of the Office of the Prime Minister, Dr Gonzi also laid on the Table of the House two other earlier reports, one drawn in 2000 and the other last year, which were annexed to the recent Mepa report.

Earlier, Dr Gonzi said that the basis for Malta's future success lay in the continuous focus on both local and foreign events and fine-tuning proposals that would attract investment and create employment.

Investment prospects for Malta appeared good in the context of the global instability.

Malta had to be cautious and take quick decisions whenever the opportunity arose. The government strategy was reaping results, but challenges in tourism and employment still remained.

Parts of the Public Administration Act would come into force next year. Dr Gonzi hoped this would succeed in its important aims.

His Office was also responsible for procuring and administering EU funds. The government was often accused of losing out on such funds, but he stressed that the EU steps must be followed to the letter; otherwise those funds would have to be paid back.

A certain level of bureaucracy, although unwelcome, was necessary for the purpose of being accountable to the EU. Projects needed to be well studied before applying for Mepa permits according to local and EU legislation. Delays could also result from contestation of tendering processes, but the country was duty-bound to bow before its own democratic institutions without bringing undue pressure to bear.

The apposite directorate in the OPM had dealt with a large quantity of infringement procedures before the EU, and Malta was now among the best member states. It was also among the best in submitted projects for EU funds under various programmes.

Under the Operation Programme 1 there were proposals for public consultation, after which projects would be prioritised. The government had already submitted 21 projects worth a total of €236 million. Under programme 2 of the European Social Fund there were projects for a total value of €74 million.

Dr Gonzi said a number of projects would become physically evident over the next few weeks, even causing inconvenience. These were not the result of decisions taken now, but the end-products of lengthy procedures. Most importantly, they would create thousands of jobs.

Speaking about the Armed Forces, he said the government had been investing heavily not just in better conditions but also in tools, such as patrol boats which would mean more soldiers working in Gozo. Malta would continue to do its best for its soldiers going overseas, where they had always served with honour, to have the best possible compensation.

Dr Gonzi spoke extensively about Mepa. After the reform process the Cabinet was now discussing the necessary amendments for the legislation. The new year would see a debate on the Bill which would be published in a few days, not on the reform process which had already started being implemented.

Full-time board members were starting to be selected, and there would be no more allegations of clientelism and conflicts of interest. Also under way was the internal administration process, as approved by the reform, with cells to screen applications as soon as they were submitted. Over the next few weeks the new IT system would start to make a bigger difference, including the applicant being guaranteed permit within the stipulated time. In the environment sector Mepa experts had been entrusted with a report for a permanent solution on the black dust phenomenon. Just a few hours before, Dr Gonzi had been given a report with three important documents, including the original study that had led the government to spend millions on low sulphur fuel and precipitators for a big change in air quality.

Returning to the Mepa issue, he said it was very important in economic activity in Malta, particularly in the defence of the environment and the difficult challenge to find the necessary delicate balance for sustainable development.

Malta was facing a very big challenge to find energy solutions from various sources, with the attendant huge responsibilities. If the country was afraid of taking all necessary decisions on energy in line with climate targets it would be prejudicing the future of its children, workers and its own.

Concluding, Dr Gonzi said the political class needed to go down in history as having taken the best possible decisions. A number of these could initially draw severe criticisms, but bore fruit only after time.

Parliamentary Secretary for Public Dialogue and Information Chris Said said that five regional councils were being set up to group all local councils for more coordinated activity. In January, administrative committees would be set up for small localities.

Gozo would be hosting a conference of EU Directors of Information.

Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism Mario de Marco tabled a copy of the national plan for tourism. The opposition had offered no comments in the consultation process.

He said that for next summer the government already had confirmations of regular flights from Leeds Bradford, East Midlands, Oslo and Copenhagen. Only on Tuesday Easyjet had confirmed three flights a week from Milan Malpensa and two a week from Liverpool. Meanwhile, the MTA was still in ongoing talks with other carriers.

This year, the authority had attracted 22 new tour operators.

More than half the German holidays in the Mediterranean in 2009 had been all-inclusive.

This was a new trend that Malta handling agencies should work on.

Dr de Marco announced that TUI cruises would be using Malta as its home port for 2011. Cruise ships would be starting and ending their Mediterranean cruises here for 28 weeks every year and 4,000 German tourists would be here every week to either join their cruise ship or depart.

He said that Viset had attracted Tui to Malta despite competition from Palma and from Greek ports.

Also contributing to the debate, from the government side, were Francis Zammit Dimech, Robert Arrigo, Franco Debono, Louis Deguara, Jesmond Mugliett, Ninu Zammit, Joe Falzon, Stephen Spiteri, Beppe Fenech Adami, and Parliamentary Secretaries Chris Said and Mario de Marco.

The votes were approved by 35 votes for and 32 against after a division.