Leader of the Opposition Joseph Muscat yesterday withdraw his motion calling on the government to withdraw its support for the underground extension of the museum of St John's Co-Cathedral, a few hours after the foundation, which runs the cathedral, said it had dropped the project.
At the start of the Parliamentary sitting, Opposition leader Joseph Muscat said that in view of the government announcement that the project was being dropped, the Opposition felt there was no need for the debate since its purpose had been achieved. However, he asked Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi to explain his position.
Dr Gonzi said the project was discussed with Archbishop Mgr Paul Cremona on Tuesday and again over the phone yesterday. They had expressed their concern over how the situation had developed and decided to direct the government and Church representatives on the St John's Co-Cathedral Foundation to stop the plans for the project since it was dividing the nation. He said it was not the first time he had revised a decision in the national interest and would do it again if it was necessary".
Amid applause from the opposition benches, Dr Muscat said the Opposition was withdrawing its motion because its purpose had been achieved.
He said the Opposition welcomed the decision, but could not fail to note that the government was finally acknowledging its authority over the foundation, after having previously insisted that the foundation was independent. Certainly, this was a case of better late than never.
Dr Muscat noted that in the DOI statement this afternoon, it was said that the Archbishop had expressed his concern over the project. The Prime Minister, therefore, had not.
The DOI statement also said that the decision to stop the project was taken so that the people would not be divided. The people, Dr Muscat said, were never divided - they were united against the project. The only division was in the PN parliamentary group.
"This is a victory for the Opposition on behalf of the people... we instilled some common sense in the government," Dr Muscat said adding that the next step was for the Prime Minister to revise and debate the former Opera House project.
Dr Muscat said that the aim of his motion had been reached with the Prime Minister's statement so he was, with the permission of the House, withdrawing the motion.
The government, he said, should not wait for another motion, although one would be moved if it was necessary.
He said he was convinced the decision was not one of conviction but of convenience.
In giving permission for the motion to be withdrawn, Dr Gonzi clarified that the foundation was independent. It consisted of representatives of the government and the church in view of the old controversy over whether St John's Co-Cathedral belonged to the State or the Church. The government, therefore, could not decide for it.
Furthermore, he pointed out, his ministerial responsibilities included Mepa, which was the authority tasked with studying and deciding on projects such as this, and he had therefore been careful not to express himself and not to influence the authority (interruptions).
Dr Gonzi said there were a danger that this project would divide the people and he had decided, not for the first time, to review a decision in the national interest.
Dr Muscat said the MLP's position had been described as 'dilettantesque' by the PN secretary but he was now happy that the government had come around to the MLP's thinking.
The House stands adjourned to Monday.