The environment is an issue that keeps bobbing up from time to time like a fisherman’s cork. The rowdy scenes we all witnessed on television a few days ago are indicative of how heartfelt this issue is especially among those who feel that their interests have not been protected enough when decisions are made to introduce elements that may affect the peaceful possession of property.

Marsascala is a case in point. A decision made decades ago to site a sewage purification plant in the area now has the village population up in arms, objecting to any further expansion of the plant and, indeed insisting that the sewage purification plant is removed from this tourist-attracting village. The fact is that no one wants a sewage purification plant anywhere near his or her abode and yet these necessary plants have to be placed somewhere.

The eco-tax also gave rise to opposition and negative comments as every other tax is expected to. Yet these are vital issues for the nation, issues that have to be tackled by the government and solutions have to be found.

This week Opinjonisti has invited Environment Minister George Pullicino to answer questions by some of his critics and by the viewing public, an integral part of Opinjonisti. With George Pullicino will be environmentalists and some of the people who have disagreed with a number of environmental decisions taken by the government. Opinjonisti is produced and presented by Joe Grima every Thursday on NetTV at 8.30 pm.