'Government's environmental credentials have hit rock bottom' - Din l-Art Helwa

Environmental NGO Din l-Art Helwa took the government to task after yesterday's meeting of the Standing Committee for Planning and the Environment, held to give civic society an opportunity to voice its concerns regarding the three MEPA Demerger Bills. 

Din l-Art Helwa states that it is nonsensical for the proposed new legislation to be discussed in the plenary session at Parliament today, when Government has just agreed to a 4-week public consultation period.

This insistence by government to open the debate without waiting for the consultation to take place turns the process into a complete sham, the organisation said in a press statement.

Minister Leo Brincat and Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon have denied civil society the opportunity to put forward their concerns in a transparent and effective manner, says the NGO.

It also said that the proposals for the demerger of Mepa are set to strengthen the hands of developers and to weaken the environmental voice in planning decisions.