Businesses that have illegal structures will still be eligible to receive financial assistance from a government fund set up to help those affected by Storm Harry, Prime Minister Robert Abela said Tuesday.

Speaking to journalists, Abela explained that compliance with planning laws would be treated separately from emergency assistance. He said the government was willing to help all affected businesses when livelihoods were at stake.

The Transport Ministry recently announced a €1 million fund to compensate for damage to private property caused by the storm where losses are not covered by insurance. Individuals, NGOs and businesses may claim up to €5,000 each.

However, the centrist party Momentum and several residents' groups in Sliema, Valletta and Marsaxlokk have argued that establishments with illegal outdoor tables and chairs should be excluded from receiving compensation. Momentum said that while it supported aid for households and law-abiding businesses genuinely affected by the storm, public funds should not be used to reward illegal activity.

Asked to respond to these concerns on Tuesday morning, Abela said that planning infringements should be dealt with through existing regulations, but that emergency aid should not be withheld from families whose livelihoods depend on their businesses.

He said that while authorities could penalise planning infractions, he did not believe this should be done at a moment of crisis.

Storm Harry struck Malta's eastern and southern coasts around two weeks ago, causing widespread damage, particularly in Marsascala.

When asked whether this amounted to the government effectively funding illegalities, Abela rejected that view, saying it was not appropriate to punish people during such a sensitive period. He added that the government did not want to abandon individuals or businesses in need, unlike previous administrations which, he said, had often done so.