Amendments bearing fruit

The amendment I proposed to Cabinet in 2007 to strengthen the Malta Environment and Planning Authority’s enforcement powers against illegal developments in rural areas is being well utilised. This amendment gave Mepa in most cases the power to demolish illegal development in outside development zones without being required to wait for a decision on an application, which would otherwise sanction that development, or an enforcement appeal.

The past 10 days have shown the Labour leader’s weakness...- George Pullicino

Another amendment prevents applications that would sanction an illegal development in an ODZ.

Cabinet also had approved an amendment that would ensure that, should a permit issued be appealed, such permit in most cases would be suspended so that, should the appeal be won, the development would not have been built in the meantime.

These amendments were unfortunately not implemented immediately because Parliament was dissolved in 2008. Yet, they came into effect together with other amendments last year. These were part of a series of amendments that were drawn up following consultation with NGOs. One should also note the numerous initiatives taken to make the planning process more transparent through the availability of related information on Mepa’s website for public scrutiny.

It is therefore surprising that certain environmental NGOs provide wrong information when publishing press releases criticising permits issued by Mepa when the correct information is readily available on its website. It was stated, for example, that the land in Xewkija, for which a development permit for the construction of a supermarket was issued about two weeks ago, was only included within the development zone following the 2006 rationalisation process. Yet, if one read the application report, one would find that the land in question had been included for industrial development back in 1989 when the temporary provision scheme (TPS) was drawn up.

I am not against criticism. What bothers me is criticism based on erroneous impressions rather than fact. This happened again this week when the spokesman of an NGO said that the height limitation of buildings in Sliema increased with the publication of the local plan for this locality. This is not true. If one compares the height limitation of every street in Sliema, as approved by the local plan, with what was established in the TPS in 1989, one would find that it is now actually lower in many cases. This is aside from the fact that many more buildings have been scheduled to be protected. The information is public and it is therefore unjust that erroneous sweeping statements continue to be made – October 21.

Paying tribute

This morning I placed a wreath in front of the house in Sliema where national poet Dun Karm Psaila lived and wrote some of his best poetry between 1936 and 1961. This week marks the 50th anniversary of his death. He was born on October 18, 1871 and died on October 13, 1961.

Many from the St Gregory parish, where I grew up, remember him well. During my short visit this morning, a number of senior citizens stopped to share their memories, including how picky he was when choosing fruit and vegetables!

Dun Karm is remembered for writing our national anthem, yet, we should also recall his valuable work that continued to strengthen our national identity. In 1921, he was asked to write a few verses for a piece of music composed by Robert Samut as a result of which the Innu Malti was first played in 1923. In 1941, it was given the status of national anthem, which was confirmed by the 1964 Constitution.

He worked tirelessly for the Maltese language, which is now recognised as an official language of the European Union. He also founded and served as president of the Maltese authors’ association. His work was also recognised when he was awarded an honoris causa degree by the University of Malta in 1945, the first time such an honour was bestowed by the University. Other honours he received included the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire and the title of National Poet.

His Maltese writings also serve as a priceless heritage and it is with satisfaction that I note that Dun Karm’s works are still taught in schools. This is the best way to pay tribute to this poet and scholar and ensure that his works are passed on from one generation to the next – October 18.

Irresponsible leadership

Irresponsible is the only way to describe the supposed leadership of Joseph Muscat. The past 10 days have shown the Labour leader’s weakness when he abdicated from his responsibilities and allowed his predecessor to take the reins and run the show on his behalf during a crucial moment. After the government consulted with the opposition over the motion regarding the European bailout fund, Dr Muscat let Alfred Sant pose a series of technical questions, prolonging the process and shedding a shadow of uncertainty over the outcome.

It was agreed that the vote would be taken on October 5 and the opposition even stated that it would be voting in favour so that the motion would pass unanimously. Yet, Dr Sant posed queries that could have easily been made beforehand. The motion was therefore postponed to the following Monday when Dr Sant once again chose to split hairs and even insisted that the process should be further prolonged through the setting up of a committee to “study” the issue at hand.

Even more shocking was the fact that Dr Muscat was not even present in Parliament at the time. He allowed Dr Sant to put our country’s reputation in the field of financial and European policy at risk.

He knows how to make promises but skives irresponsibly when it comes down to it. This was an important motion because the Maltese Parliament wanted to give its support to the financial package that the EU crafted to save Greece from financial collapse. Greek default would be disastrous for the eurozone markets. These are the markets where locally-produced goods and services are sold, markets from which we receive 80 per cent of our tourists. The motion was important for Maltese workers as well as Greek.

But, once again, the Labour Party and Dr Muscat have irresponsibly preferred to place our country’s workers at risk. When addressing this morning’s meeting in Swieqi, the Prime Minister was right to say: “This was an opportunity for our country to send a message of stability, yet, instead the Labour Party preferred to shed doubt on our country’s European policy” – October 16.

Dependency

It is often said that we have become too dependent on communications technology. This week’s incidents – when millions of BlackBerry users all over the world were unable to access their e-mails – remind us how true this is.

Some of the comments made by users to the British newspaper The Independent were indicative. A director who spends most of his time outside the office said that timely access to his e-mails was crucial as he would otherwise miss business opportunities. A hairstylist who provides a door-to-door service in clients’ homes lamented the work lost since clients communicate with him via e-mail. A student complained that he couldn’t communicate with his friends.

This is the reality of our ever-changing way of life. A problem that developed in England is affecting mobile use in India, Israel, America and Malta! We really are living in a global village!

The dependence on communications technology is also a phenomenon in Malta. By last June, there were 491,344 mobile service subscriptions, greater than the Maltese population itself. Malta ranks seventh among EU member states in terms of the number of text messages, with almost 143 million SMSes being sent within a period of six months.

Everyone has some sort of dependence on technology, for one reason or another. I see nothing wrong in people taking advantage of such developments, yet total dependence results in such situations whereby people end up totally cut off without any contingency over how to communicate with the rest of the world – October 13.

http://georgepullicino.blogspot.com

The author is Minister of Resources and Rural Affairs.