The controversial law exempting development on hospital grounds from an environmental impact assessment is under discussion between the government and European Commission, after it was revealed the law may breach EU rules.

The Times of Malta reported that the law, enacted in summer on the eve of the Santa Marija feast, is not in line with the EU directive on EIAs – one of the EU laws most strictly enforced by Brussels to keep member states in check on the environment.

A Commission spokeswoman warned that a member state could not legislate to introduce an automatic exemption without considering the nature of the project. Such blanket exceptions could only be invoked in cases of national security.

But the government is standing its ground, telling this newspaper it had its own legal advice on the matter, which it intended to follow up and discuss with the Commission.

“The government is not yet notified that the legal notice you refer to is not in line with EU law. Following the report in the Times of Malta, the government has engaged in talks with the European Commission to seek clarifications on the matter,” a spokesman said.

Read more in the Times of Malta.