The environment has been given “an institutional voice” through a new law creating an environment authority, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said yesterday.
The law was subject to controversy last week when former Labour MP Marlene Farrugia broke ranks with the government and voted with the Opposition on three amendments.
Dr Farrugia then resigned from the party and took on the mantle of an independent MP. She has been a vocal critic of the government, especially on environmental issues. But during yesterday’s public consultation meeting as part of the ‘Government that Listens’ series, Dr Muscat made no reference to the controversy.
In what can be described as a veiled rebuttal of criticism, Dr Muscat said the new law would strengthen environmental protection. The government, he added, was committed to safeguarding outside development zones.
He also cited Budget incentives as being behind a demand for home refurbishment in urban cores.
The event, organised under a tent at Fort St Angelo in Vittoriosa, brought to a close a series of meetings held every six months during which ministers meet the public and take questions.
Dr Muscat said the Gozo tunnel depended on the geological studies that would get under way next year. He insisted the private sector and not the government would be the prime mover behind the project.
The government was also studying the creation of a road tunnel system across Malta to increase road capacity, he added.
With reference to the recent Paceville incident in which scores of young people were injured, Dr Muscat said this provided an opportunity to review regulations, permitting processes and enforcement. However, while cautioning against the creation of a police state, he said club owners had to shoulder the responsibility of ensuring minors did not enter their premises. The fines had to increase.
Responding to concern raised on the future of Air Malta, Dr Muscat reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring the airline is saved.
“Like we solved the problems with Enemalta, we will also solve the problems at Air Malta,” he said without elaborating.
kurt.sansone@timesofmalta.com