Alternattiva Demokratika said today that Armier should be given back to the people and all illegal boathouses should be removed.

Speaking outside the Auberge de Castille, party chairman Michael Briguglio said the prime minister should call a spade a spade and declare that no more usurpation of public land would be allowed in Armier and other areas. Labour should break its silence and support such a policy.

"AD's election in parliament will ensure that the issue is on the agenda. You know where we stand," he said.

Carmel Cacopardo, deputy chairman and spokesman on sustainable development said that the current situation was a result of the complicity of politicians holding public office during the past 40 years. They turned a blind eye when public land was taken over abusively and acted as if nothing unusual had happened.

Secret meetings on the eve of general elections to find a formula so that those who illegally took over public land retained its ownership aggravated the situation.

He noted that Mepa's Marfa Action Plan, published for public consultation 10 years ago, spoke of the need to rehabilitate a number of areas and how different areas should be protected. It said that boathouses built on public land should be demolished and beach rooms should be built instead in five zones.

AD is of the opinion that the boathouses should be removed forthwith and that it is not necessary to build beach rooms instead, considering the close proximity of practically all residential areas to the sea.