Since 2003, there have been two ways by which laws are passed in Malta: one goes through the Malta Parliament; the other is via the EU institutions in Brussels - European Commission, the Council and the Parliament. Malta Parliament legislation originates mostly in Malta on government initiative and is sometimes the subject of controversial debate. Legislation that comes from Brussels as directives or regulations must practically be taken as is. Having been okayed by the EU institutions, in reality the Malta Parliament just rubber stamps it, with minimal debate. Yet, sometimes it incorporates radical changes to how the local economy, financial system plus vital sectors of national society are run.

The scope for EU originated legislation is of course defined by the treaties that set up the Union, but over the years, their purview has widened. The expectation is that it will continue to grow. In a number of the smaller EU states, including ours, the tendency has been emerging to take a wait and see attitude before reform measures are implemented. The attitude is: let's wait to see what will be said about this or that in Brussels before we take any steps. Seeking a lead from Brussels on what still are national issues is hardly a good idea.

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THE GOZO TUNNEL

For a number of years, the Gozo tunnel project loomed as a soon-to-be launched major infrastructural exercise. Though Gozitan society itself seemed to be divided over the desirability of the tunnel, the business sector there was fired up in its favour. Government declarations seemed to indicate it was only a matter of time (not long) before the works began.

Then everything faded out of the picture. If I remember correctly, the only indication that the project was indefinitely shelved or binned was a throwaway remark in a report by a Gozitan quango with few if any real executive powers.

Does it make sense to issue a definitive statement, one way or the other but definitive, about the final intentions regarding the tunnel? Perhaps yes. For it would highlight the importance or otherwise of a quick, effective decision on building a new Gozo ferry.

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ON WEARING PRADA

Even though he wears Prada, sometimes the devil can come up with a good point. Take the comments made by the Malta Developers Association about the financial underpinnings of the joint Government-Curia project to promote the building and sale of new housing at affordable rates. But the MDA's critique about how land value is being factored in the pricing exercise makes sense. It seems to provide the opportunity, which is objectionable, for hidden, windfall projects to developers who get chosen for projects; transparency in how they get chosen being also a pre-requisite according the MDA.

There may be ulterior motives behind these claims about which I do not know, but following up on them would be in the public interest to make the affordability  project more attractive. It would be ironic if having been consulted on a priority basis and given a field day on the so-called ODZ "reform", the MDA were to be ignored on this topic.