Speaking in an RTK radio interview, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi stated that he would be proposing an amendment to the Planning Authority Act to empower Mepa to immediately demolish any illegal building. In other words it appears that as part of his long awaited ideas on Mepa reform he proposes to give the authority even more power than they presently have.

He went on to stress that the government would not tolerate abuse.

Now maybe I’m missing something here but hasn’t the main problem with Mepa been its abuse of the powers it already has?

Surely by giving them even more power, Dr Gonzi is inviting an even greater level of abuse.

Let’s face it, the people who will suffer under such rules are the ordinary man and woman in the street, while the big developers as usual will do whatever they want with Mepa’s blessing!

James A. Tyrrell,

County Antrim,

N. Ireland