Environment Minister Leo Brincat this evening stressed that the government is committed to ensuring that the environment is protected and that development is strictly monitored through the demerger of the planning authority, urging the media to scrutinise the split once it is implemented.

He said that the media had contradicting reports with some stating that the government was taking too long to implement the demerger and others saying that it is trying to steamroll over everyone. He said that he received contradicting criticism, with some saying he is insensitive and ineffective to the environment and others saying he is committed but being ignored.  “I will ensure that the legislations passed are worthy and that planning will be monitored by the environment authority.

He said that the government never thought about passing the three legislations related to the environment before rising for summer recess and this was not nothing but a made-up tale.  The government, he said, is committing in safeguarding the environment and ensuring a balance between the environment and development. “There was never any balance between the two, and this is ultimately what the government is after,” he said.

Mr Brincat added that some have even tried to shed doubts on whether the demerger should happen, however, he said, this will never be an option. He said that the former auditor of MEPA had stressed the need of the demerger. “Separating planning from the environment makes a lot of sense, because so far, the environment arm has played Cinderella,” he had said.

He denied allegations by the opposition that the demerger may open doors to more abuse. A study conducted in 2012 revealed that 60% of those questioned believe that MEPA officials are more corrupt than politicians and member of the judiciary. This, he said, was the result of long-standing practises.

Under a Nationalist administration, he said, MEPA was termed a ‘bureaucratic monster’ and the authority was one of the reasons for the party’s defeat in the 2013 general election.

He said that up till now, the environment had a secondary role in MEPA, however the demerger will make the environment more of a priority and will allow the authority to regain the trust by the taxpayers, the primary stakeholders.