Ivan Camilleri in Brussels
Brussels contradicts Mepa over Dwejra
The European Commission denied being satisfied with the replies it got from the planning authority over the Dwejra filming incident, as the regulator’s chairman told a television station a few days ago.
Speaking on Dissett on TVM last Wednesday, the chairman of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, Austin Walker defended the permit granted to film producers to lay sand on the EU Natura 2000 site and quoted unofficial Commission sources as indicating “they will not push the issue further as they are satisfied with the replies given”.
A Commission spokesman yesterday insisted the case was still not closed. “It is absolutely not true we have told Mepa we are satisfied with their replies... For us the case is still being investigated,” the official said.
“The Commission said it would wait for Mepa’s assessment and we are specifically waiting to get the right information on the follow-up of the film project and on the site management which should have been in place.”
The spokesman added that, when asked for information, Mepa had told Brussels they had granted authorisation under certain conditions but it was only later the authority confirmed the conditions had not been respected.
“Thus, we are still awaiting Mepa’s conclusions before deciding whether we should take further action.”
Following the incident, Mepa admitted there was no management plan in place yet for the Dwejra/Qawra area, as envisaged by the EU Habitats Directive for special areas of conservation under the EU’s Natura 2000 network. However, contrary to the Commission’s position, Mepa is insisting that according to EU rules it has until 2014 to put the plan in place.
Following the laying of sand and aggregate on the rocks in Dwejra in connection with filming for an American television series, the Commission stepped in to investigate alleged damage to the site. It also wants to see whether any provisions of the Habitats Directive have been broken by the Maltese authorities.
The Commission had said that after being tipped off by Maltese NGOs, it had asked for Mepa’s assessment of the situation and whether it was possible to repair any damage. It had also enquired about site management arrangements.
Commission sources said that if, from the information being gathered by Mepa, NGOs and other interested individuals, it transpires the provisions of the Habitats Directive were not fully respected, it might start infringement procedures against Malta.
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Joe Grech
Dec 4th 2010, 22:11
People can rest assured the E.U. is just bluffing its way trying to impress us Maltese that it is serious. Strings will once again be pulled in Brussels - as they were very probably pulled in a number of other issues that were supposedly being ''investigated''. Then a ''declaration'' will be issued saying that, in this case also, the E.U. Commission found that no serious shortcomings had been committed by MEPA at Dwejra. MEPA - and the present administration - will be found as innocent as the lambs. Chairman Austin Walker need not worry - this issue will soon blow off and all will be forgotten.
l fenech
Dec 4th 2010, 19:16
Mr. Walker why don't you take a department car and have a drive round the island where you have given permets for 5 storey buildings in 2 storey streets. Maybe you will see the frustration that has been caused to peple who are now living in a shoe box destroying the view and air enjoyed before these monstreous buildings were erected to the delight only of the speculators who enjoy their homes somewhere else. Shame on you MEPA.
O.Vella
Dec 4th 2010, 15:30
When is it that in Malta people will be held liable for their own actions?
Why all the citizens have to pay for someone's stupid mistake?
SHAME!!
Joseph Calleja
Dec 4th 2010, 18:59
Why is it that Maltese citizens don't object to such atrocities publicly? Maybe because these things don't occur in their back yards, or maybe we are so trained not to publicly criticize our government or the authorities even when they are wrong? This page should be full of comments, pro and con. Why are we so afraid to speak up and express our opinions on what goes on in our country? I am still waiting for Mepa to accept responsibility for this atrocity.
James A. Tyrrell
Dec 4th 2010, 14:42
@j.saliba. Yes you are wrong. Due to the fact that MEPA are totally incompetent and should never have granted a permit to contaminate Dwejra with 45 lorry loads of quarry waste Malta may have to pay money to the EU, which will in turn, as always will come from your taxes. The NGO's and interested parties are just trying to ensure that justice is done because if it is left to MEPA and the Government that will not happen as the whole thing will be covered up.
It is obvious that MEPA cannot be trusted when it's own chairman appearing on TVM and tried to give the impression that the European Commission were happy with the matter.
Raymond Sammut
Dec 4th 2010, 14:16
MEPA's hypocrisy: "However, contrary to the Commission’s position, Mepa is insisting that according to EU rules it has until 2014 to put the plan in place." One is to understand that MEPA has a free hand to allow Dwejra to be grossly and irreversibly abused until 2014. What does it take for MEPA to disallow truckloads of illegal material from being dumped on an EU’s Natura 2000 site? Do MEPA really need a "management plan" before they can tell the truck driver not to dump that material? And where is Prime Minister Gonzi in all of this? Which ribbon is he cutting off this time? Why didn't PM Gonzi ask the Malta Police to investigate the Dwejra illegal dumping?
j.saliba
Dec 4th 2010, 11:37
Do you mean that 'maltese' NGOs and other interested persons are furnishing such information to the Commission that might in the consequentially make Malta pay money to the EU from our taxes? Or am I wrong?...
Joseph Calleja
Dec 4th 2010, 15:11
I think it means that we have some very incompetent people running Mepa and I think that there should be an independent source ( free of government ) doing a full investigation so hopefully something like this won't happen again. We are still waiting to see who issued the work permit for all this. Somebody must take responsibility.