The government is planning to change the procedure of enforcement action within the Malta Environment and Planning Authority whereby illegal buildings will be demolished immediately, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said.
Dr Gonzi said this was one of the measures the government will be implementing to curb illegal activities.
The Prime Minister was speaking during a Nationalist Party activity in Msida yesterday evening when he was given a huge welcome. Msida is one of the localities that forms part of the ninth electoral district where Dr Gonzi will be contesting for the first time this general election.
Dr Gonzi said that, now that the country's finances are on the right track, the government can concentrate all its efforts on achieving sustainable development. "We will work on changing the red tape mentality to a red carpet mentality. Enforcement will be increased so as to ensure that everyone respects and obeys the law," he said.
The Prime Minister, who was being interviewed by TV presenter and actress Eileen Montesin, spoke about the health sector and promised that all health services will remain free of charge.
"Mater Dei Hospital is a state-of-the-art hospital and we are giving a state-of-the-art service. I promise that the health system will remain free of charge," he said. He also said that Boffa Hospital will move to Zammit Clapp Hospital and will specialise in the treatment of cancer. Zammit Clapp Hospital, which has 80 beds, will move to a new rehabilitation centre close to St Vincent De Paul and will have 280 beds.
"In the next legislature, the government will focus on primary health care and will strengthen the family doctor system in Malta," he said.
With regard to corruption, Dr Gonzi said that over the past four years he was very strict with reports of corruption and never hesitated to refer any suspected case to the Police Commissioner to investigate. He said he will continue enacting laws to protect whistleblowers and will also implement the Freedom of Information Act.
Speaking about Magħtab, Dr Gonzi said the PN was transforming a mountain of rubbish into a mountain of trees.
Asked what the government will be doing to help abandoned animals and the various sanctuaries looking after these animals, Dr Gonzi said the government has allocated nearly €350,000 (Lm150,000) for this purpose and will also be building a hospital for animals.