Muscat says he will extend term of building permits
Sees contradictions in PM's statements on the economy
Dr Muscat replies to questions in Sta Venera.
Prime minister Lawrence Gonzi was sending directly contrasting messages on the economy, vowing to balance the budget by 2015 despite the government's own projections forecasting a 49 million deficit for that year, Labour leader Joseph Muscat said this evening.
"The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing," Dr Muscat said, pointing out that the €49 million estimate was included in latest November's budgetary projections.
EXTENSION FOR BUILDING PERMITS
Dr Muscat, speaking in a public One TV interview, said that a PL government would extend pending development permits beyond their current five-year expiry deadline, giving developers and individuals breathing room and not forcing them to forge ahead with developments no longer suited to the current property market.
He said a scandal concerning commissions given for oil procurement contracts was likely "just the tip of the iceberg" and he predicted that more revelations would come to the fore once a whistleblower act was passed.
"Unfortunately this government found the time to build a new parliament but had no time to pass a whistleblower act," he said to applause from the Santa Venera crowd.
He said the widespread availability of community housing for the disabled would be the focal point of a PL government's social policy.
"Our small size works in our favour. There is no reason why Malta can't become a model country in this regard," he said. "We need to give parents of disabled children the peace of mind that our society will not abandon their children once they pass away."
Dr Muscat also reiterated his willingness to retain "capable and willing" government-appointed heads if elected.
He also drew parallels between Dom Mintoff and Eddie Fenech Adami, saying both men were crucial for their time. "Mintoff reached his apex when Malta became a republic, Fenech Adami when we entered the EU. Much of the 80s was lost time for this country, and so too was the time after EU accession. because there was no vision."
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John Azzopoardi
Jan 23rd, 11:45
promises promises promises
Simon spiteri
Jan 22nd, 23:25
Who will build Joseph's power Station the gas tanks ships infrastructure etc in two years (although we are extending the construction time of a small building by over 5 years) and give us a gift one year before making a profit. Developers should be obliged to reduce the stress on the neighbors as much as possible I'm sorry you do not have cohesion you just want to please everyone to win
david debattista
Jan 22nd, 11:45
4 Observations must be made as to how property is to be build and what impact it will have when certain alterations are made. unsightly wall 3 times higher then the original rubble wall which has been put down are a nightmare, and constantly on the increase . BEWARE PEOPLE ARE SICK OF IT especially when build under DUBIOUS conditions, We do have loopholes and Architect use them all the time!
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 22nd, 14:56
Yes people are sick of MEPA not bothering about how permits effect neighbours. Gonzi fooled people before the last election saying that he will take MEPA under his wings. Have we seen any difference? Not at all. It was just an election gimmick. He's not going to fall out with the contractors, is he?
david debattista
Jan 22nd, 23:22
Andrew, It is each and every one of us that have to speak up. We elect the politicians. NOT GONZI ,probably the man is history ! We should make our agendas very clear as a people in a democracy! THE ENVIRONMENT IS PRIVATE PROPERTY BECAUSE IT BELONGS TO ALL . IF THE CONTRACTORS DON'T LIKE IT, THEY CAN TAKE A FLIGHT TO LARGER COUNTRIES .THEY SHOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED TO PLAY GOD WITH US OR THE LAW .
david debattista
Jan 22nd, 11:24
3 Gardens in rural areas which are part of farmhouses in Gozo must be protected and not destroyed to build a hole in the soil covered wit concrete and tiles called a pool . We have beautiful bays in Gozo and you don't have to drive 4 or 5 hours to get to our beautiful sea. Not so with the very limited natural and fragile environment we have left ! THUS IT MUST TAKE PRIORITY above all else !
david debattista
Jan 22nd, 11:07
2 To escape the very environment we in Malta have created because of CORRUPTION AND ABUSE, AND LACK OF ADEQUATE PLANING ! Now even Gozo is under threat ! This idea of having a piece of land and all one sees is flats. or putting down houses, to build flats ONLY TO END UP EMPTY FOR GOD KNOWS HOW MANY YEARS MUST STOP ! Both islands are saturated with vacant shell form building . Gardens
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 22nd, 12:38
You are right! Now GOnzi is proposing kore hotels for Gozo. If the frantic building spree in Malta moves to Gozo, it will kill off tourism to that island.
Simon spiteri
Jan 22nd, 23:28
Camilleri providing better hotels does not mean building new once you can upgrade the existing once you do not seem to be very conversant with the building industry my friend
david debattista
Jan 22nd, 10:55
1 Dr Muscat , we must be careful how we proceed with the building permits, we have far to many vacant property and we cannot go on with the delusion that the building industry is a source of employment . The building industry will eventually go the same way as the fishing industry. The impact on the environment and health in Malta is there for all to see. Our people flee to Gozo to escape ......
Etienne Bonanno
Jan 22nd, 10:35
Muscat is complaining about lack of vision following EU accession?!? He who did his utmost to keep us out of the EU? What an unbelievable brass neck!
Eddy Privitera
Jan 22nd, 11:36
Etienne: Tista tghidli x'qieghed tiehu int mill-UE ?
Simon spiteri
Jan 22nd, 23:33
Xejn sur Privitera miljun u nofs kif qalilna AS u hallina mela issa waqajt go Malta nitolbok tirrispetta l intelligenza taghana anki Joseph ammetta li zbalja fuq l Europa u int ghadek ma indunajtx insomma ghall Joseph anki L ecc EFA kien bzonnjuz issa xi 10 snin ohra jghidilna li Gonzi kien bzonjuz
Henry Micallef
Jan 22nd, 10:31
What will happen to those planning permits which has not been used to develop the property if the concerned MEPA policy changes?
We need detail and beef from Muscat's proposals, which unfortuantely scrape through very superficially as a vote catching exercise.
Eddy Privitera
Jan 22nd, 11:25
Henry Micallef: The first thing to consider is the principle. The details of a law are only known when a Bill is presented, discussed, amended etc... and then voted into law. That is when can know the details !
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 22nd, 12:39
Henry: Gonzi said he will reduce energy tariffs. Have you seen any details how? Have you asked the questions how, when andd by how much?
Simon spiteri
Jan 22nd, 23:38
Cammilleri PL presented a presentation meaning the results of the study (if there ever were any) not the method how it got those results and she wants us to believe they work. The interconnector was in the pipeline for a number of years and it was always kristal clear that we could obtain a better price from Sicily so what studies do you need exactly you have everything in hand and choose to ignor
D Portelli
Jan 22nd, 10:16
This a good move, for us. We can't efford to keep on constructing our new premises because the sales decreased by 35-45% last year and so the income. We need a break for a year or two to generate cash money to keep us on going. Loans repayments don't give us a break if there is an extension in the permit we won't loose the value of the property.
Neil Bugeja
Jan 22nd, 10:53
Ever heard of "live within your means"? Don't go into a project unless you can afford to! This is what got the world into a recession - spoilt people getting what they want, even though they don't have the money to pay for it!!
Denis Pace
Jan 22nd, 07:53
Din mizura rigressiva,
Krejnijiet kullimkien. Ga ghandna bizzejjed.
Din gejja minn pressjoni ta'certu zviluppaturi.
Fejn huma l-ambjentalisti? Fejn hi l-FAA? Bahh!
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 22nd, 12:41
It could actually work the other way round. If the permits are given a longer life, then cranes will also be in place at different times- not all at the same time as the situationis now. Ever been to Sliema recently? As for FAA, people like you should not even mention them after you lambasted them for speaking up.
Simon spiteri
Jan 22nd, 23:41
Camilleri as I already explained to you normal developers are here to maximize profits therefore the will not mount a tower crane to dismount again and mount it again during a project they will simply leave it on site increasing the possibility of an accident and increasing the inconvenience to neighbours. Logical hux
Ben Agius
Jan 22nd, 07:52
Wow!! Has anyone in Malta ever heard of productivity! Extending beyond five years? You will see even more half finished attempts of buildings etc etc...
George Cutajar
Jan 22nd, 07:28
If a power station can be built in two years why should a private project not be done in 5 years. Again JM trying to get as many likes as possible.
D Portelli
Jan 22nd, 10:22
Ever considered the cash flow issue.
Henry Micallef
Jan 22nd, 10:27
D Portelli, - the only case when a permit is not renewed is because of a change in the policy and at that point it will make more sense not to renew and submit new plans, and thus it will be wise to keep them for 5 years and not longer.
Eddy Privitera
Jan 22nd, 11:28
George Cutajar: Xi tghid jekk Lawrence Gonzi jghid li jaqbel, bhal ma qal ISSA dwar il-pjan tal-PL dwar li d-deputati jithallsu skond kemm imorru l-parlament. U dwar il-preskrizzjoni etc.. ???
Mary Ann Borg
Jan 22nd, 00:15
Another pact with the devil. Seems like Joseph hasn't learned one iota from the pitfalls of Alfred Sant. And like Alfred Sant, he will not last long, if he ever gets to win this election. The only cleverer thing he's muttered is that he will resign should his Konrad Mizzi project go haywire, which it will. How sad to think of a way out when you try to sound convincing to get the project done.
Simon spiteri
Jan 21st, 23:17
This will leave us with more open sites under construction for a longer period of time. The five year term is already too much imagine you have to live with a site under construction next door for over five years well done PL you did not come with one serious proposal and you had 25 years to prepare I'm sure you will repeat your class once more
Lina Caruana
Jan 22nd, 11:33
Ask the tried .Apart from deliberate damage to neighbouring buildings to build on grabbed inches of land. Do you call this a legal permit?
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 22nd, 12:43
Spiteri: you have all wrong. The life of a permit wil be extended not to allow works to go on for five years and more, but for works to start. And there are many works that have already started and are left unfinished. Are these not bothering you? Have you forgotten how GonziPN bent backwards to please the contractors' lobby?
Simon spiteri
Jan 22nd, 23:13
Dear Camilleri extending the effective life of a permit means the developer can take longer to finish this leads to a developer demolishing a site next door and take longer to re build it means that we will have more sites for a longer period if you take a look at the planning act you will learn that if a permit expires the developer will have to go back to MEPA to ask for a fresh
Marco Galea
Jan 21st, 22:54
u dawn anke diska kkupjawha KELMA b'KELMA ...
Joseph Aquilina
Jan 21st, 22:39
"Unfortunately this government found the time to build a new parliament but had no time to pass a whistleblower act,"
Joseph Muscat and those around him spent FIVE WHOLE YEARS trying to bring the government down even when it was clear that THIS GOVERNMENT was 100% focused on saving jobs and make sure that our economy remains strong!! I wonder; how did Joseph help out!?
maria valent
Jan 21st, 22:34
We wrote the best pages of our country’s history books. Others are ashamed even of their own flag and their previous and once adored leaders are kept locked in the dungeon !!
N. Montanaro
Jan 21st, 22:31
And for everyone's information, after the 5 year permit passes, a minimal charge of 100 euros needs to be paid for another 5 year extension. So that's all the hassle JM is speaking about.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 22nd, 15:56
Noting of the sort. At the monent, when the five years elapse, the builder wl,not to apply to have the permit renwed - if it now goes against some new policy or regulations fresh plans have to be submitted. Nothing as easy as you make it out to be.
Simon spiteri
Jan 22nd, 23:44
Wrong again Camilleri if the permit expires you will need to apply afresh not renew a full permit paying full fees much more that 100 euro
N. Montanaro
Jan 21st, 22:29
Why does he keep predicting if he wants to lead our country??
Joseph Aquilina
Jan 21st, 22:29
"He said a scandal concerning commissions given for oil procurement contracts was likely just the tip of the iceberg"
This is typical from Joseph Muscat. He does not make any reference to the developments in this news item. No, he just says half truths!! The part of the story that suits him best!! He has done this for everything reported on the media so far!!
How can we trust Joseph Muscat?
Eddy Privitera
Jan 22nd, 11:34
Joseph Aquilina: Alla biss jaf x'hemm mohbi li ghad irridu nsiru nafu ! Possibbi l-fatt li GonziPN baqghu ma dahhlux il-ligi tal-Whistleblower ma turikx li jibzghu minn din il-ligi ?? Ghax ghandhom jibzghu kieku mhux ghax hemm hafna hmieg x'jinkixef ?
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 22nd, 12:46
Aquilina: what developments? Has any one denied or proved that there were no commissions paid? All we have seen is wriggling by Gatt to try to avoid political responsibility. The truth is although he was not an employee of Enemalta, Sammut occupied a position on the Enemalta board of directors until 1990, and a consultant to the energy corporation until 1994.
Simon spiteri
Jan 22nd, 23:50
Sur Cammilleri this person was appointed chairman by the MLP government between 1996 1997 it does not mean that the MLP hired a corrupt person? Check your facts half truths are far worse than lies. After all he has to be proven guilty by a court jew issa kollox jiddeciedi Joseph bhal kuntratt tal power station tal holm
Roberto Fenech
Jan 21st, 21:42
Dr Muscat should be informed that any building permit can be renewed every five years with no limit. Amendments to the plan can also be submitted at any time, before development of course. So extending permits will not change anything. Again, Muscat trying to appease every corner of society, in the desperate attempt to win votes.
D Portelli
Jan 22nd, 10:19
No the Mepa has the right not to extend a permit for further time. Generally it does, but what if it's yours the one that was not extended??
Byron Abela
Jan 21st, 21:12
Where is Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici? If I were him, i would resign from the MLP. What arrogance and lack of repsect towards a Labour leader and an MLP delegate.
George Cutajar
Jan 21st, 21:10
Will JM be so kind as to refrain from mentioning EFA during this campaign. He can rest assured that his comments are not appreciated at all especially when we remember his crusade against EFA's grand project for Malta. He will only be believed when he publicly admits he was wrong in his assessment that Europe would be Malta's disaster for the millennium. Failing that it is just another sound bite
Eddy Privitera
Jan 22nd, 11:31
George Cutajar ICcekkja ftit kemm kellna dejn qabel dhalna fl-UE u kemm ghandna dejn ILLUM !!!
Simon spiteri
Jan 22nd, 23:53
Zgur mhux bir rata li ghamlu AS fi 18 il xghar
James Buhagiar
Jan 21st, 20:54
Izjed binjiet nofs lehja jonqosna!
mark johnson
Jan 21st, 20:23
A Labour politician on the Labour TV station.
I can imagine the searching questions as they nail him down for satisfactory answers.
Neil Bugeja
Jan 22nd, 09:00
I'm sure he had no say in what questions he would be asked! That's what they expect to have on TVM programs! This is the PL who claim to want "Malta Taghna Lkoll"
Please choose the reason of your report below: