The government is giving the public until the end of this month to file written submissions on the proposed legislation related to the split of the functions of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.
Last Friday the government published three Bills related to the Mepa demerger that created fears the legislation would be rushed through Parliament before the summer recess.
Planning parliamentary secretary Michael Falzon and Environment Minister Leo Brincat today denied this during a media briefing. The government’s intention is to close the second reading of the Bill before the summer recess while details from feedback received would be discussed at committee level when Parliament resumes, they said.
Meanwhile, the House Committee on Environment and Planning is meeting this afternoon for the Bills to be discussed with environmental organisations. NGOs complained about the short notice given – they received an email at 7.30am informing them of the time of the meeting to be held later in the day.
The Bills total some 400 pages and will define development and the environment in Malta for many years to come. The organisations said more time was needed to allow a proper reading and scrutiny of the proposed laws.
Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Carmel Cacopardo and Alfred Baldacchino, who formed part of the Environment Protection Directorate for seven years until 2008, both said the Mepa split would not result in any change unless there is a discovery of political will to prioritise environmental protection and management.