In Parliament we debate a lot when amending and introducing new legislation. At times the debate might take long and will be even difficult to agree on a particular text or a word. The process to pass an act from Parliament might take long or be problematic, however, I dare say that it is the easiest part. In my opinion enforcing the law is a much more difficult task. And this is where I feel that we are lacking. Malta has vast amounts of local and EU legislation, but it is useless having good legislation if this is not adequately enforced by those who should do so.

From time to time, Members of Parliament query about the issue of enforcement both in debates and also by means of parliamentary questions.

Recently, an issue which was debated at length during question time was the reply by Minister of Justice and the Interior that from January to September 2009 no person under the age of sixteen years was found by the police consuming alcohol. Of course, those present in the House laughed at this statement which was very peculiar. Replying to another question then the Minister stated that during the same period this year 108 persons under the age of sixteen where found in places where alcohol is consumed. The two localities mentioned were St Julian’s and Victoria Gozo.

So how is it that out of these 108 youngsters no one was caught consuming alcohol? This should make us reflect on the level of enforcement that we have on our island.

While acknowledging that we cannot have a policeman in every corner, one must also consider that village feasts are held throughout summer, and no person under the age of sixteen was seen consuming alcohol during this period.

When I say this I don’t mean that we should become a police state in the sense that we will have no liberty to move about, however, something must be done to make sure that legislation and regulations are adhered too. Locally we go from one extreme to another.

We need to be balanced in whatever we do even in enforcing the law. Traffic wardens please note.

Black soot

Those people who live in the south and south-east of the island like I do will surely understand this part about the black soot. The black soot saga began almost 10 years ago.

The people together with the local councils concerned convinced the government and others that the problem of black soot exists and is real and something started to move even if it was moving very slowly. More or less in September 2000 a report by English consultants was ready. This report was commissioned in December 1999. So at that point the cause was made public. What action was taken? I am asking this because whatever action was taken, it was not sufficient and the problem persists today.

Recently the government answered some parliamentary questions which were not convincing at all. In brief, the answers take us back to 1999 when the problem arose. Now the government and Mepa want us citizens to sit back and try to relax while new studies are under way. The government is playing for time. It is time for action and not for new studies. As usual Mepa is playing the game of siding with the government rather than the citizens.

We are being taken for a ride

We the citizens should not continue to tolerate this situation. We pay our taxes and bills and all we expect now, at least, is respect. How can a solution be found to this situation, which is causing big health problems to our children and all of us, when we are not even granted a modicum of respect? Maybe it is because the solution costs money and the government is broke as a result of the PN administration making bad use of our finances?

We were told some years ago that the EU will solve our environmental problems. Some voted in favour mainly and solely for this reason. Now, after having joined the EU, it transpires that while it is true that the EU has high level standards where the environment is concerned, it is still up to the national government to take care of the environmental problems that the state in question faces. With the government that we have, I have no high hopes that the environmental problems will be solved, especially those which can be found in the southern part of the island.

I appeal for the government and other authorities concerned to stop making fun of us and take our problems seriously, at least for the sake of our children if it is true that this government means to practice what it preaches, or rather preaches before every election.

Carmelo Abela

Deputy Speaker and

Labour main spokesperson for industry and foreign investment

Email: [email protected]