The Ministry for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government has categorically denied that no consultation took place before the regulations setting up the Centre for the Maltese Language were issued on 11 August, and about the appointment of Norma Saliba to run it.

The ministry was reacting to a statement earlier in the day, where the National Council for the Maltese Language announced that it filed a judicial protest against Culture Minister Owen Bonnici, for publishing a Legal Notice under the name "Regulations Establishing the Centre for Maltese Language" without seeking consultation "required by law", also arguing that there was no prior consultation on Norma Saliba's appointment as Chief Executive for the Centre.

"There was consultation directly between the Permanent Secretary of the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Ministry Joyce Dimech and the President of the National Council for the Maltese Language Olvin Vella," the ministry responded.

"These consultations followed a meeting that occurred between Minister Owen Bonnici and Olvin Vella himself on 20 June 2023, where the need for capacity building was discussed so that the required work in favour of the protection of the Maltese language and moving it forward can occurr. Until today, there is only one person employed by the Council."

On 8 August, the ministry said, "three days before the regulations were published, the same draft was sent to Vella. At no stage and in no way did Vella ask for this legal notice to be studied further, or that it not be published, or that further meetings occur. The next day on 9 August, a communications official from the Arts ministry passed on a draft copy of the statement that was going to announce, an 11 August, both the establishment of the Centre and the name of Norma Saliba as its head, to Vella."

"To a question made by the communications' official, if they could go ahead with publishing the statement, Vella answered in the affirmative. Between 9 and 11 August, the ministry received no communication from Vella for more talks or meetings."

The ministry also referred to comments Vella gave to the Times of Malta on 14 August, where he was quoted as saying: "I did not know about the new centre. I did not know about the new legal notice."

The ministry said: "this is not true. The facts above show the complete opposite."

"But the ministry agrees with the rest of his comments in the article, when Vella, in reference to the centre and the appointment of Saliba told the Times: "But if you ask me if I agree with them, yes, I fully agree with both," and "Judging by her experience, I am sure she has the capacity for such a role. Let us work together for our Maltese language."

The ministry appealed that now, "since for the first time in generations the government is committing resources so that required work in favour of the Maltese language can take place, we focus on this work that needs to occur, in order to provide the results that the people expect."