Officials of the Government Property Division, the Malta Tourism Authority and the Health Division this morning handed owners of kiosks at Ghadira Bay notices warning them to respect encroachment conditions.

Some of the owners, who were found to have already exceeded conditions by occupying a greater area than they are licensed for, were also warned to remedy the situation or face enforcement action.

The officials said the warning letters were handed to 13 holders of encroachment permits for kiosks and beach concessions. They said that infringements which had already been noticed included unauthorised extensions to the kiosks and, in one case, the placing of tables and chairs on the sand without authorisation.

The encroachment conditions, the officials said, also included limits within which those holding a permit could set up beach umbrellas.

"We want to ensure that the law is observed, and we have informed the permit holders of the consequences should they not respect the conditions," Parliamentary Secretary Jason Azzopardi said when contacted.

He warned that the penalties for violating permit conditions could even include revocation of the permit, with re-issue only possible after the payment of a €10,000 fee.

He said the government wanted to see better management of the beaches and, as already announced, it was considering the setting up of an agency for the purpose.