Equal Opportunities Minister Helena Dalli must shoulder political responsibility for her husband’s illegal works on a Żejtun property, the Opposition is insisting.
Nationalist Party planning spokesman Ryan Callus and environment spokesman Charlo Bonnici yesterday said it was ironic that the Dallis expected to be given preferential treatment when the minister’s portfolio included equal opportunities.
The case involves a property riddled with illegalities that Patrick Dalli built in the outskirts of Żejtun, some 200 metres away from his family’s residence.
Asked to clarify what the party meant, Mr Callus said that, when former PN president Victor Scerri had built a farmhouse in Baħrija, the then Labour Opposition called for his resignation.
“I don’t agree with Dr Scerri’s development but the difference is that his development had passed through all the legal process, while in this case the planning authority is still evaluating a request for sanctioning as illegalities are continuing,” Mr Callus said.
Without directly calling for the minister’s resignation, Mr Callus said he was not holding his breath that the minister would resign like Dr Scerri had done.
Last Thursday, Times of Malta uncovered how construction work on the building was continuing despite an enforcement order issued by the planning authority in 2011. Mr Dalli has claimed he did not know work was being done on the site, even questioning the motive of this newspaper to cover the story. He also claimed the property was going to be sold and a promise of sale agreement had been signed.
But Mr Callus said it was unbelievable how the Dallis claimed they were unaware of the continued works on the site. “This is not the way to lead by example,” Mr Callus said.
He insisted it was unacceptable for journalists to be treated the way Mr Dalli confronted this newspaper.
During the press conference outside the building, Jason Desira, who claimed to be the person buying the property, insisted it was he who had deposited soil there but denied there were any illegalities.
“I do not know why you are attacking the minister. This property is fine according to the new planning rules,” he told the PN representatives in the presence of journalists. “There are no works on site,” he insisted.
However, Mr Desira did not comment when confronted by this newspaper with the fact that its reporters had witnessed workers on the property over the past two days.
The planning authority has not yet sanctioned the illegalities.