The issue of political party financing, which the government has committed itself to regularising, is one of the root issues undermining the correct functioning of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) said in a statement.

"No one can deny that the main political parties have, over the years, undertaken considerable financial obligations tied to electoral campaigns, property ownership and building of headquarters as well as the ongoing burden of the party media.

"These financial obligations, without any attempt to regulate the acquisition of finances have, at times, ended up on the construction industry's doorstep, which in turn has put a lot of undue pressure on the property market, and more seriously on the planning process, to the detriment of the public interest," FAA said.

The organisation also maintained that the time was now ripe to ensure that Mepa officials were able to get on with their work without any undue pressure, which would permit the authority to become a truly reformed and just environment authority, rather than being regarded by some as a mere provider of permits.