President George Abela this morning appeared to involve himself in the debate on the granting of bail by the law courts, saying that it would be fitting that the Courts kept a just balance between the rights of the accused and the general interest to protect Society.
In a wide ranging and frank speech at a Republic Day ceremony Dr Abela also expressed concern that the number of people who were finding it difficult to make ends meet was increasing.
He also urged society to identify its priorities in the context of the global economic and financial crisis.
Dr Abela made his address at the Palace before he conferred Republic Day honours.
When he spoke on security, and in an obvious reference to recent major criminal cases, Dr Abela said:
“It is necessary that the feeling of security that Maltese society enjoys should not be allowed to be threatened by a few unscrupulous elements who care for nothing, not even human life, as long as they attain their illicit purposes.
“One encourages all those who can help to cooperate with the forces of order so that our society would continue to be protected.
“It would be fitting that our Courts, on their part, would keep a just balance between the rights of the accused and the general interest to protect Society.”
POVERTY
Earlier in his address, Dr Abela expressed concern about poverty.
He said he closely observed the social situation in the country and the social conditions of a section of Maltese society, which seemed unable to emerge from the dire straits of poverty or the risk of falling below the poverty line, is of concern to me.
In the last Household Budgetary Survey, it resulted that 14 per cent of the Maltese population is in risk of poverty.
“It seems that the number of those who are finding it difficult to make ends meet by means of their income is increasing,” the President said.
“It is possible that the gap between those who are in the higher income bracket and those whose income does not reach adequate levels is widening.”
“I feel we need to commit ourselves to a collective effort in order to find practical ways to devise solutions. We need to find out why a section of the population is lagging behind.
“We need to discover, for instance, the reasons why a section of our youth is not availing itself of the existing facilities in education, for education is one of the determining factors which can make a difference so that these people may improve their lot.
“I feel we have not yet found the way to effectively fight the phenomenon of a section of the low-income population, more prone to social problems and lacking a sufficient level of education, being concentrated around the Grand Harbour area.”
Financial assistance, though essential, was not the only way in which such families could be helped. Other forms of aid may be offered such as, more education and training on how to better utilise one’s income, how to choose the more essential priorities to employ more effectively one’s income and how to develop interpersonal family relations that strengthen ties between family members.
COUNCIL OF STATE DOES NOT MATERIALISE
In other parts of his address, Dr Abela also expressed his disappointment that the proposal which he launched last year for the setting up of a Council of State composed, among others, of the President, the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and former Presidents, had not been realised.
“This Council of State, which would be consultative in nature, may perform a significant role in the discussion of matters which come up from time to time. I remain available to play my part so that this Council would materialise and begin to work,” the President said.
In what could have been a reference to the Opposition walk-out from the House Select Committee on Democratic Change, Dr Abela also said that decisions taken in relation to the workings of Parliament and its committees should always be directed to ensure that these continue to function and do so in the best possible way.
“It is therefore my wish to see each parliamentary committee which was set up with useful and precise aims to continue to carry out its tasks.”
NATIONAL PRIORITIES
Dr Abela said the global economic and financial crisis was not over yet and a number of European countries were taking measures that had resulted in job losses and cuts in social services and salaries. Malta too felt the effects of all this though, through pertinent decision-making, it succeeded in saving many jobs. Nevertheless, the country needed to remain vigilant in the hope that the situation would continue to improve.
“It seems therefore that it is time that we identify what the priorities of Maltese Society should be in accordance with the financial means at our disposal and in conformity with the value of social solidarity which we uphold.”
MORE TO DO ON THE ENVIRONMENT
Dr Abela welcomed the extensive restoration works that have been carried out, and are still being carried out, on historical buildings, fortification walls and other locations as well as on works of art and antique books.
“Although much has been done, more remains to be done in what concerns the protection of the environment. We have a moral obligation to exercise caution and prudence when it comes to putting to economic profit the limited natural resources which belong to us and to future generations.
“I think I would be expressing the feelings of the majority of the population of Malta and Gozo when I make an appeal that one needs to protect more assiduously the natural, ecological and geological heritage such as the sea; the beaches; the garigue; the valleys; the water of the aquifers; and building stone. Protected areas of historical significance and of geological and ecological importance deserve the most rigorous protection so that what we have is not lost for ever with the result that we deprive of it future generations.”
In his address Dr Abela also paid tribute to former President Guido de Marco, who passed away in August.