Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/181770
14 News maltatoday, SUNDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER 2013 'It's time for the government to walk the walk' – Busuttil JEROME CARUANA CILIA THE Nationalist Party leader Simon Busuttil raised various questions related to the government's plans for Air Malta. "If the government has the intention to privatise Air Malta, the general public and especially Air Malta employees have every right to know." He emphasised that during the restructuring process, there shouldn't be any waste of taxpayers' money. The Opposition leader was addressing the first policy seminar organised by the Nationalist Party on tourism as part of a series of activities to commemorate World Tourism Day. Busuttil inquired about the restructuring programme that was PN leader Simon Busuttil pushed by the previous government and raised doubts on whether the re- structuring process would be a success. "The subsidy was an exception, a one-time, last-time occasion, and hence the government has to make the best of it." He questioned why several infrastructural projects, such as those at Forts Sant' Iermu and Sant' Anglu, commenced by the previous administration had been interrupted. Busuttil argued that more priority should be given to competitive advantage in the tourism sector, rather than comparative advantage. "The extended honeymoon has finished," said Robert Arrigo, the shadow minister for tourism. He added that the government had not yet put forward any fresh ideas concerning tourism. Arrigo said that the Nationalist Party was still working hard to live up to its legacy in the tourism sector. 'Raised' l among th RAPHAEL VASSALLO ENTRY requirements for the law course at the University of Malta were recently modified to allow for a minimum of three A levels – with grades of one C and two Es – eliciting sharp criticism from various quarters at a perceived 'lowering' of academic standards. Press reports were quick to highlight the new law course requirements, without indicating what these were intended to replace and helping to fuel the perception that the entry requirements had somehow been lowered. But Prof. Kevin Aquilina, dean of the Faculty of Laws, insists that the opposite is true: he argues that the minimum entry requirements for law were actually raised to the new levels, from a previous minimum of any two A levels in any subject. "The course requirements have been raised," Aquilina reiterates when contacted by phone. "I know Army exempt Simplified planning procedure extended to temporary parking in residential zones JAMES DEBONO WHENEVER the home affairs minister feels that a development "is urgently required for national security reasons", the army can bypass planning regulations and proceed with construction work. This is foreseen in an amendment to the law regulating the issue of development notification (DNO) orders, a simplified planning procedure initially foreseen for smallscale developments like traffic lights and internal alterations in homes. Through the new amendment, the army will not even need a DNO to carry out development justified by the said "national security reasons". The only condition imposed is that whenever the development tales place on scheduled property, like historical buildings or Natura 2000 sites, the minister will need the clearance of the superintendent of cultural heritage and the authority responsible for environmental protection. The development also has to be recommended by a consultative committee on the development of the armed forces, set by the Minister to provide advice on the suitability of any such development. But if such a committee is not constituted, the decision can be taken by the minister. In all other cases, the army can resort to the simplified Development Notification Order procedure. Three-year permit for temporary car parks According to the new law, the