Environment Minister Leo Brincat yesterday told The Malta Independent that he raised his concerns about the site of the American University of Malta at Cabinet level and during other meetings held behind closed doors.
Mr Brincat also said that he has great respect for environmental NGOs but claims made by some that he did not raise concerns about Zonqor Point are untrue.
He said his main concern as environment minister is not the economic and financial package which will come as a result from the development of the new university, but that environmental-related considerations are taken into account and adhered to.
“With all due respect to NGOs, I am not an NGO or backbencher but I am a Cabinet member.
“My duty therefore is to raise such issues where it matters most,” he said, adding that he has raised concerns many a time on the environmental impact of such a project. He also highlighted that he wrote two articles in two different newspapers, tweeted and wrote on Facebook on the Zonqor Point issue.
“Ever since I was made environment minister, I have always expressed concern on anything that can have an impact on the environment, including on the proposed new University location.
“When the site is chosen, I will ensure that my ministry will engage in a number of studies on the site and will ensure a robust and transparent Environment Impact Assessment is conducted,” Mr Brincat assured.
Mr Brincat also referred our newspaper to the points he raised during an MCESD meeting held earlier this week where he pointed out that he welcomed the open discussion on the issue.
“During the MCESD meeting, I stated that the government is always open to discussion, now more than ever, for a compromise to be sought.
“There is still uncertainty to whether certain people are against the site in question on a preliminary level, the concept itself, the idea of internationalisation, the promoters of this development or tertiary sector competition,” he continued.
Mr Brincat made reference to the Prime Minister’s parliamentary statement this week, where he (Dr Muscat) made it amply clear that the selection process is still in motion and the most attractive sites that were suggested to government until now came from environmental groups. He said that although nothing is cast in stone, the Prime Minister also said that in the event Zonqor is chosen, the footprint would be drastically reduced.
On PL MP Marlene Farrugia’s stance in joining the PN protest at Zonqor Point last Sunday, Mr Brincat said: “Dr Farrugia is not accountable to me; who am I to gag Dr Farrugia when the Prime Minister said that she is free to say what she wants?”
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Mr Brincat later clarified that he did inform our newsroom that he raised concerns about the preliminary University site. He said that he always raised environmental-related issues, including the issue of Zonqor Point, where it matters. In the interview he said that he raises such concerns behind closed doors. But he never mentioned the words Cabinet meetings.