A political statement in favour of an undersea tunnel between Malta and Gozo approved by parliament this week undermines the integrity of the decision-making process of the regulatory authorities, the Green Party lashed out on Saturday.
Parliament's approval is a declaration of complicity to ruin Gozo, Alternattiva Demokratika Carmel Cacopardo told a news conference on Saturday.
The vote on the motion approved last Wednesday was described Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg as a “historic moment” from which there was no turning back.
But Mr Cacopardo accused parliament of trying to condition the authorities and institutions which have to weigh and analyse the project when the application is submitted.
It is useless for the Nationalist and Labour parties to "shed crocodile tears" about the need of public authorities to do their job with integrity and neutrality and then at a critical moment try to condition the way they act, Mr Cacopardo said.
Read: Construction of permanent link between Malta and Gozo unanimously approved
The purpose of facilitating mobility between Malta and Gozo can be easily achieved through a rapid ferry service from Mġarr in Gozo to various parts of Malta's coastline, without creating substantial environmental impacts.
When push has come to shove their masks have fallen
The environmental impacts generated by the proposed tunnel between Malta and Gozo include not only construction waste and the scourge of sea reclamation being proposed by Government and powerful lobbies. The tunnel will substantially increase vehicle movement between the islands; this is contrary to the national transport plan which requires that cars on the roads decrease, not increase.
"We have a Parliament of hypocrites which preaches in favour of environmental protection, including in Gozo: but now when push has come to shove their masks have fallen. Shamefully the motion was approved unanimously," he said.
The projected expenditure is still not known since this depends on the outcomes on studies which have not been completed and published yet.
AD candidate Mina Tolu said the only European Parliament that constantly and consistently votes for measures to protect the climate is the European Green Party. The other parties are constantly engaged in a series of trade-offs with economic operators.
"Environmental protection involves much more than the cleanups in the countryside. It also involves decision-making processes, which if not conducted responsibly can destroy the future of generations yet to come."