Environment Minister learns about MEPA amnesty through the media

Minister Brincat says he would like to have more information about the MEPA amnesty proposal

Environment Minister, Leo Brincat has told MaltaToday that the only information he knows about the MEPA proposal originated from media reports.

“I would prefer to give a judgment about the issue once I see the actual proposals being made,” Brincat said, when he was asked to express his opinion on the message such an amnesty would give.

Reports have emerged that a proposal for a MEPA pardon regarding planning infringements that occurred prior to 2013 is in the final stages of completion. The authority is hoping to roll out the scheme by summer this year, and it is meant to wipe out a large chunk of MEPA’s pending enforcement cases.  There are around 10,000 cases which amount to €20 million in profits for MEPA.

Brincat said that he felt it was “unfair” to pass judgement before knowing the exact proposals being made.

“Once the proposal is actually presented, the Ministry will make a purely technical evaluation and pass its comments to the government where a proper decision will be taken,” Brincat added.

Last week, Malta’s environment NGOs came out in force against plans for the amnesty on building illegalities.

“MEPA is finally relinquishing all pretence of its role as a regulatory authority, and putting into question its very reason for existence,” Astrid Vella, coordinator of Flimkien ghal-Ambjent Ahjar said. “We have raised the point to government that developers have MEPA 'by the short and curlys'”.

In 2012 and 2013, amnesties were introduced to resolve minor infringements of sanitary regulations and suchlike. But Vella said a further amnesty now can only be intended to absolve gross and unacceptable violations “even potentially to have entire illegal floors approved.”

She said this made a mockery of Local Plan height limitations. “Over-development is reaching new heights, as this government seeks to stimulate growth in an industry that has already stifled urban areas.”

She added that the amnesty would foster a culture of abuse. “This is another action for MEPA to not do its job, rendering the very existence of MEPA questionable, debasing Parliament and making a mockery of the judiciary and respect for law in Malta.”