It had not been decided yet whether to relocate the Valletta monti to Ordnance Street, next to the new Parliament building, Speaker Anġlu Farrugia said yesterday.
Last month, Dr Farrugia had objected to the planned move, citing security concerns raised by the police who are providing 24-hour surveillance at the new building in City Gate.
Replying to questions by Times of Malta, Dr Farrugia said correspondence was exchanged with the government on the issue but gave no further details.
He was addressing a news conference to give details on open days next month when the public will be invited to visit thenew building.
The government’s decision to relocate the monti had come under fire when a new stall design was unveiled last January. Architects, designers, NGOs and the Opposition had argued that having the monti between the iconic Renzo Piano building and the open theatre would blemish the capital’s new entrance.
The criticism had forced the government to postpone the move in an attempt to try and fit all hawkers on the other side of Ordnance Street. An expression of interest was also launched hoping better designs for the new stalls would be submitted.
At the press conference yesterday, Dr Farrugia defended his decision to park his car in a pedestrian area close to the entrance to Parliament. Pointing out he had been given the green light by the transport watchdog, he said all his predecessors used to park their car within the precincts of Parliament, which until recently was situated at the Grand Master’s Palace. Nevertheless, he said he would find no objection if Transport Malta had to revoke the permit.
Asked about the high presence of police officers at the new Parliament building even when it was not in session, Dr Farrugia said it was up to the police authorities to decide on such matters. However, he reiterated his concern that the building was very exposed, noting that young people had taken the habit to roam in the vicinity of the building, especially during weekends.
He said the planned permanent exhibition showcasing Malta’s parliamentary history should be opened in autumn.
Open days
Two open days will be held as part of celebrations marking the 96th anniversary of the Sette Giugno riots.
On June 6, the public will be able to visit Parliament between 9am and 4pm and from 9am to 1pm the following day.
Apart from viewing the plenary chamber and the facilities there, the public will also be able to visit a temporary exhibition on Malta’s parliamentary history. A number of artefacts made by prison inmates will be on display.
On June 6, Dr Farrugia will be presiding over the launch of a new book by Paul Bartolo titled Winning People’s Hearts, which analyses the 2013 general election campaign from a sociological aspect.