The agreement for concrete platforms at Ghadira Bay to relocate existing kiosks had been reached by the Nationalist administration, Planning Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon said this morning.

Fending off criticism, he also said the platforms did not endanger the bay's blue flag status as the intervention was completely reversible.

Dr Falzon was speaking at a news conference in Golden Bay, where works to remove a kiosk which had been constructed on the sand dunes have been completed. This project was part of a plan to relocate this structure to the car park at the side, and safeguard the dunes.

Asked by Times of Malta whether the government was sending contradictory messages by relocating an existing kiosk in Golden Bay but at the same time allowing the construction of seven concrete platforms at Ghadira Bay, Dr Falzon said that in the latter case the government was honouring a commitment taken by the Nationalist administration. 

He added that great care was being taken to carry out the works according to a defined method statement.

"We are monitoring works closely to ensure that there is minimal impact on the environment, and that tenants adhere to the conditions laid out in the agreement to modernise their structure within the defined footprint," he said.

Asked what measures would be taken to ensure that holders of encroachment permits would not place umbrellas and deckchairs outside their allocated space, Dr Falzon said that the onus was on the Malta Tourism Authority.