Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1536039
5 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 4 JUNE 2025 NEWS the Manoel Island concession that the realities changed. The law should be respected but we should see the new realities with respect to the contract's contents." Adrian Delia "I think the fact that there are 29,000 signatures that are speak- ing against this development should lead each MP to listen, understand and discuss the sig- natories' message. It's a fact that there is a contract but there is al- so an obligation to see what was respected from the contract, it's government's obligation to see this and tell us about this as soon as possible so any discussion is an informed one. Malta of 25 years ago is another Malta, and it's diffi- cult to place yourself in the mind- set of 25 years ago. MPs' obliga- tions today is to see whether the country needs more open spaces or buildings. A discussion should not be held just for its own sake." Paula Mifsud Bonnici "I think we need to listen to what those 30,000 people are saying. We need to see the contract and see whether some conditions have been broken." Chris Fearne "There definitely needs to be a discussion across the country." Darren Carabott "I was clear that in cases of public interest, everyone needs to see what is in the public inter- est. In my opinion what's in the public interest is crystal clear. 20 years ago there was a reality that was completely different. No one could've predicted the over devel- opment in the past 13 years, espe- cially in that area. So, let's see what is in the public interest for that ar- ea. I think everyone can reach that conclusion." Clyde Caruana "I think the political parties should discuss it between them. I have my own opinion on the sub- ject. But for now, I choose not to comment." Rebecca Buttigieg "I'm a Gżira native first and fore- most and I'm following this case closely as a citizen and an MP rep- resenting those residents. I believe in more dialogue so that us poli- ticians and society as a whole can understand the restrictions, the obligations that must be followed, but also whether we can revise the plan. Let's keep talking about it so that we can see the best path for- ward for the country and the resi- dents of that area." Edward Zammit Lewis "While I understand the worries of bond-holders, it isn't govern- ment's job to honour the bonds. It's important to listen to everyone but if we go down this road, we will set a dangerous precedent for every entity that issued bonds… I enjoy that PL president Alex Sci- berras mentioned this issue and I look forward to the debate on this subject in party structures where I will convince all my friends in the parliamentary group and (party) executive that this is the best way forward." Bernard Grech "We took note of the petition, we surely don't ignore anyone. We are truly interested in everyone's opinion. But we also believe in the rule of law so government has an obligation to see what obligations the country has to this concession. But we need to take note of what's happening. Having a national park is a beautiful dream but we need to heed the obligations. But one can also agree that there is a con- tract that must be honoured by both sides. This is a petition that we still need to see and take deci- sions after that." Ivan Castillo "The time has come when, as a country, we must pause, look around us, and ask: Is this the Malta we want? The time for speaking about greenery and the environment as something simply beautiful is over, as today, it has become a necessity. So, if we truly want change, we must be the gen- eration of politicians that chooses wisely. We cannot continue thinking in terms of projects that might have made sense in their time but were planned based on realities from decades ago. We are still in a time when we can redesign a better fu- ture. It takes courage to take that step." Eve Borg Bonello "Manoel Island is ours and it's time we got it back. The Labour government was ready to throw away €400 million on a corrupt hospitals deal. It spends millions more on direct orders, persons of trust and PR campaigns. So don't tell us there's no money to give communities a real green space. Malta doesn't need more pocket gardens. We need real investment in real open spaces. Gżira, Sliema, San Ġiljan, Msida, Ta' Xbiex are all suffocating. Manoel Island is our last chance to create mean- ingful change. The contract claus- es give us an opening. Let's use it, head back to the negotiating table and get as much as we can. We owe it to the people we represent." Albert Buttigieg "Beyond legal and even envi- ronmental arguments, Robert Abela said he received a petition from 5,000 people who invested in bonds/shares in this project. I ask: Is it ethically acceptable to is- sue shares/bonds on a project that not only had no permit approv- als from the Planning Authority but doesn't even have an appli- cation? While there is nothing wrong with someone investing their money, weren't those who in- vested essentially buying fish still in the sea? They were certainly brave with their money! Accord- ing to media reports, cabinet members hold shares in MI- DI (nothing wrong with that as they have every right), but don't members of the Executive have a conflict of interest? If the project doesn't go ahead, they lose mon- ey! On the other hand, if it does, they make a profit! Therefore, in light of this conflict of interest, the government cannot make a decision in the common good in an objective manner. Graziella Attard Previ "Anyone living in the areas of Gżira, Sliema, and St Julian's un- derstands and feels the impact of development on residents. As a result, these localities suf- fer from the highest population density, traffic, car fumes, dust, noise, and a significant lack of open spaces free from these neg- ative elements. Against this backdrop, I fully support the call made by the 29 civil society groups for Manoel Island, in Gżira, to be turned in- to a public park." Rebekah Borg "The opinion of almost 30,000 people cannot simply be ig- nored. The issue of Manoel Is- land is complex but it is precisely for this reason that the govern- ment must get involved and act in the public interest, not shut the door to conversation before it even begins. I felt it was my duty to speak in Parliament for that very reason. In situations like this, people de- serve clear answers and honest discussion. Let's not forget that the Prime Minister himself once said that the responsible use of public land is a 'sacrosanct prin- ciple.' The time has come to see whether those words actually mean something."