Culture Minister Malcolm Paul Agius Galea told journalists on Wednesday that the government has begun discussions to find a compromise on village feast fireworks, after a legal precedent may have been set in recent days whereby a court injunction prohibited most fireworks from being launched in Birzebbuga's annual parish feast this past weekend.

When asked if a legal precedent has been set through this court injunction and what the way forward is, Minister Agius Galea said that this situation must reach "a very important balance" between preserving Maltese culture and fireworks, which he admitted to be very fond of, and the concerns of people and residents stationed within fireworks productions houses and launch sites.

"I do believe that with some common sense and with some really good intentions, we can reach an agreement; and we are going to reach an agreement," Minister Agius Galea said.

On Monday, The Malta Independent reported how a court injunction blocked most fireworks from being launched in Birzebbuga's annual parish feast this past weekend after owners and operators of fields in the area suffered "well over" €100,000 in damages as a result of fires caused by fireworks, which were launched for the feast's final preparations, on Thursday, 30 July.

The Minister for Arts, Culture and National Heritage stated that the government shall be working intensely on improving this industry's safety while factoring in residential interests, all whilst preserving the fireworks industry itself as an important aspect of Maltese culture.

He stressed that the government is actively working on achieving this compromise, noting that "I must make sure that this incident will not happen again."

He referenced "really important" health and safety schemes and that the government shall continue working on this.

"I am sure that this is not the end of fireworks, but yes, it is the start of probably a new way to present these parts of our culture to the people," the Minister said, "I think, with good intentions - provided that we've got good intentions - we can reach a happy medium."

The Minister remained tight-lipped on what this compromise could actually look like, though he shared that "little snippets" will begin coming out on this "in the next few weeks."

The Culture Minister said that the government is currently in talks with the Malta Pyrotechnic Society and all stakeholders.

"I am sure that we're going to work towards a better direction, because, at the end of the day, I do believe it's in everyone's interest" he said.

Minister Agius Galea noted that he spoke to the residents affected by the situation in Birzebbuga and stressed that "their intention is not to stop the fireworks." He commented that these affected parties are actually very fond of their village feast, the fireworks on display, and all other accompanying features.

He said that "safety is crucial" and will be at the heart of government's response to this situation moving forward, remarking that "obviously, we cannot ever, ever, sacrifice safety."