The new Explosive Ordinance Bill which was yesterday discussed in Parliament is intended to strictly rule out any incidents that result from illegal practices.

Justice and Home Affairs Minister, Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici said that such a bill intends to rule out those who take pyrotechnics as a light hobby. The handling and manufacturing of explosives should be strictly controlled in order to ensure their safe handling.

“Such a Bill is not indented to stop the practice of fireworks as a tradition,” explained Dr Mifsud Bonnici, “but allows the tradition to continue in a much safer environment”.

The Explosives Ordinance Bill is also being discussed in relation to a number of factors including the Naxxar tragedy.

This Bill is not intentioned at closing doors on pyrotechnics but to differentiate between bad practices and good ones. Dr Mifsud Bonnici continuously reminded the public about such a matter.

“The state should no longer tolerate abuse of systems but intends to push matters forward towards the rigorous observance of laws while

ruling out illegal activities, illegal storing of explosive material and any activity carried out by those who play with fire,” the minister said.

It was explained that the current law regulating such a practice was drawn in 1937 with several amendments along the years. The former Justice Minister had appointed a Pyrotechnics Commission which highlighted a number of steps in order to regulate this sector, one of which was the revision of penalties aimed at those who are charged over illegal practices.

A particular Parliamentary Question brought to light that during the past 16 years, 31 people have lost their lives due to fireworks. Only the two persons in the Naxxar tragedy were not in a fireworks factory during the accident.

“All those involved in such accidents were Maltese citizens who have left a family behind. Therefore all efforts should be joined in order to have a better organised tradition which can be exercised in a more rational and responsible manner,” Dr Mifsud Bonnici said.

A number of measures such as inspections in firework factories and the decrease in amounts of potassium chloride used are already in place as a result of the Pyrotechnics Commission.

The building of firework factories is being investigated in order not to let the actual building material be a cause of injuring people in case of an accident.

Justice and Home Affairs Minister also mentioned education and training which need to be strengthened in such a field.

The Bill highlights four major fields aimed at diminishing the danger of such works namely: A strong raise in penalties for those involved in mishandling such materials. Penalties include fines of up to e80,000. A new crime is being introduced thus; those handling or manufacturing explosive materials illegally may be subject to the same penalties handed down to those convicted on a voluntary or involuntary homicide.

The Commissioner of the Police will have the power to close down a factory when there is clear suspect of

mishandling in place. The transportation of explosive material should also be authorised.

The fourth field seeks to improve education and refreshment courses for those who already have licenses.

The opposition spokesperson on Home Affairs, Dr Gavin Gulia said that the law must provide the necessary framework for those who exercise this tradition within legal parameters, work which should be backed up. Such a law should also scare those who may think of committing such crimes.

Dr Gulia also mentioned certain details which should be revised to which the minister expressed the will to further discuss such issues. An example of this is the Judiciary Power given to the Commissioner of the Police which could have serious repercussions.

He concluded that the opposition is treating such a law which as one which encourages works within a legal framework.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly and Community Care, Mario Galea, said that such a tradition is part of our culture and identity which is loved by many and should definitely not be taken as, “a light hobby”.

Labour MP, Dr Michael Falzon also spoke about such a bill which deals with a tradition, “very close to his heart,” since he himself practiced it. He said that such a law should provide the necessary basis for the manufacturing of fireworks, rather than explosives as the title implies. He said that such a tradition should be regarded as “an art form, a science and a technique,” therefore the government should help those who legally manufacture fireworks in order to let the tradition continue as soundly as possible.

Dr Falzon urged the government to start training courses as soon as possible and not continue to delay the issuing of licences (some of which have been pending since September 2007), since this gives rise to illegal practices.