A decision by the Office of Fair Competition on gas distributors seems to be shrouded in mystery with the minister responsible for the sector saying he will be filing an application in court on Monday to be given a copy.

The decision seems to have annulled a 20-year-old agreement gas distributors had signed with Enemalta 20 years ago, which gave them geographical exclusivity on gas distribution.

The distributors protested in front of Castille yesterday and later had a ‘cordial’ meeting with the Prime Minister who informed them that a decision was expected shortly.

But it seems that the decision was taken on December 17. It was then passed on to the European Commission, which approved iton December 21.

The decision was yesterday filed at the Consumer Affairs’ Tribunal, as is required by law and copies were passed on to the parties, which are Liquigas, which filed the complaint in May 2011 and the GRTU, who represented the distributors.

GRTU director general Vince Farrugia said this afternoon the decision was not acceptable to the GRTU.

If the chamber ordered industrial action it would be fined the equivalent of 10 per cent of its assets. If the distributors took action without the approval of the GRTU they would be fined 10 per cent of their turnover which amounted to around €2 million, Mr Farrugia said.

He said that although the GRTU was against protectionism and in favour of competition, small communities should be allowed certain leeway in which to operate.