In the aftermath of the vandalism it transpired that the museums department had been awarded a grant some time back to help preserve the megalithic stones, but, according to a WMF spokeswoman, the funds were never released because a project plan was not submitted. The news sparked outrage in both the media and the public.

However, Dr Galea yesterday defended the authorities, saying that the WMF had failed to reply to a query from the Maltese side as to how the funds were to be released, once it was known that the grant application had been successful.

"In 1996, the Museums Department had made a successful application for a grant from the World Monuments Fund, which is supported by American Express," the minister told MaltaToday. "A symbolic presentation of a grant of 50,000 dollars to the Maltese Government was made on 25 March 1999. This is because the American Fund system functions on a bi-annual cycle rather than an annual one.

"However, the actual funds were never released by the World Monuments Fund. An enquiry was made by the Museums Department as early as 28 February 2000, asking the World Monuments Fund how this money was to be released. Records show that this request for information remained unanswered for a number of months."

Dr Galea clarified that it was only more recently that the WMF requested a project report and that this was made independently of the original 1996 project proposal and later updates which had already been submitted to the World Monument Fund.

"This second report has in fact been submitted," he said. "The Museums Department took the opportunity of informing the World Monument Fund of the Mnajdra incident and therefore updated the report to reflect the change in priorities. The damage caused at Mnajdra has been incorporated in this second report."

The minister added that on the release of the grant, to which the World Monument Fund has now agreed, the funds will be used for the restoration project.

Dr Galea also yesterday defended the decision to transfer watchmen from schools to museums and sites; a move which has come in for some criticism.

"This is not a stopgap solution," he said. "In moving the watchmen from the schools to the historical sites, all factors have been taken into consideration and it is not expected that schools will suffer. Schools are nowadays equipped with alarms and other security devices especially in rooms with valuable resources such as computers."

Dr Galea also said that the ministry has undertaken to employ additional security guards and install infrastructure where these are required.

The minister added that the Police department has assigned police to perform spot duties at the temples, while the Armed Forces are still carrying out inspections and patrols and the current security fence has been strengthened further as a temporary measure. He also pointed out that the Museums Department had, as early as February 2001, commissioned the Works Division to produce a tender document and implement execution of a new security fence on the same level of that used at Hagar Qim.

"This process is now reaching final stages and will be implemented," he said.

Dr Galea highlighted the restoration plan, which was immediately designed following the reports of the Good Friday damage.

"The plan envisages the re-location of displaced megaliths following a thorough documentation of damage, an examination of structural problems and an examination of stone conservation issues," he said. "These studies are at a very advanced stage already. It is envisaged that the actual restoration work will be carried out during the coming weeks as envisaged in the plan."