Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said on Sunday that the main aim of the new construction law is to ensure peoples’ safety.

Earlier this month, the government halted all demolition and excavation works in the country as an emergency action in view of the recent spate of structural collapses which occurred adjacent to construction sites.

Revised regulations are due to be published in the coming days, after a public consultation period closes.

Speaking on One Radio, Muscat said the government had received some 250 reactions by Friday evening.

The new regulations, he said, were meant to ensure that the responsible parties take responsibility. But the main principle is the safety of people, he said.

“We were lucky that no one died but I will not compromise with people’s security. We could not leave things as they were.”

He also said that the rent reform law will be published in the coming days after it was approved by cabinet. One of the main things is that all rent contracts will be registered, he said, adding that Blockchain technology will be used to register these contracts.

Speaking about this week’s EU summit, Muscat said much attention was given to talks on the bloc’s top jobs, but the most important thing was the discussion on the EU’s plan for the coming five years.

The PM also spoke about the financial assistance that the government will be giving to farmers to help them pay for storm damages. The PN has said that the 45% figure is not enough.  

Muscat said that some people expect that the government will pay for damages to their property, such as flooding. “The government is not an insurance company. People have a choice whether to insure their property or not. They cannot expect the the government will pay when something happens to them. But we are helping farmers because no one will insure them.”