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8 News maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 2013 Refusing Mistra development would have cost government compensation lawsuit Environment minister claims relationship with environment NGOs is still strong TIM ATTARD MONTALTO A Malta Enviornment and Planning Authority refusal to issue permits for 774 apartments on the former Mistra Village site would have resulted in government paying the applicant damages equivalent to "a year's worth of health workers' salaries", according to the parliamentary secretary for planning, Michael Farrugia. Farrugia claimed that if MEPA had refused to issue the full permits for the project, the applicants – Gemxija Crown and the Montebello Bros construction firm – would have filed for damages. The latest plans envisage six rectangular blocks to rise to a maximum of 12 floors from street level and 13 floors from the internal pedestrian level. The development will include 744 new units and a 1,800m2 retail area, which includes a supermarket. In 2009, MEPA approved an outline permit for four boomerang blocks rising to 15 floors (992 units). The downscaling of the project is deemed to improve views from Selmun and Mistra valley but is still expected to have a dramatic impact on the landscape. "MEPA's board had its hands tied from the previous administration and this is why the project was agreed to. Had it not, the government would have been asked to pay damages," Farrugia said. He insisted that the damages would be equivalent to a year's salaries paid to health workers: "Or, for a year, the government would be forced not to issue children's allowance or old age pensions to pay for the damages instead." Farrugia said that he did not usually speak publicly about such projects – trusting in the independence of MEPA – but said that the only reason he was commenting was because over the past few weeks, unjust accusations were being directed at MEPA over the Mistra project. He said that the criticism being leveled at government by the Opposition that developments were being issued with permits haphazardly were "false and unfounded", adding that such claims were substantiated. Farrugia said the government would listen to the interests of the public, adding that public consultations would remain a big part of government's agenda. He said his ministry was currently working on various policies he hoped would become concrete within the the first quarter of next year, such as those on fireworks factories, solar farms, and fuel stations. Also addressing the press in St George's Square was Environment Minister Leo Brincat who said the government was accentuating its electoral pledge that the environment was important, highlighting the fact that no extra environmental taxes had been implemented. "The budget is clear evidence that the environment was, is, and will remain a top priority for this government," he said. Brincat said that despite recent public criticism from various environmentalist organisations, the min- Parliamentary Secretary Michael Farrugia (left) and Environment Minister Leo Brincat (right) istry's relationship with local NGOs was a solid one, saying that it understood their side of the argument. "Our relationship with environment NGOs is a strong one. We understand their concerns and are ready to listen to them and accept concrete proposals they put forward," Brincat said. The minister stressed that one of the prime areas which the government was intent on investing in was Opposition tells minister to remove €2,500 IVF fee JAMES J. PISCOPO HEALTH shadow minister Claudio Grech welcomed a number of positive measures in the budget dedicated to health but has voiced concern over the introduction of a fee for IVF services. Grech yesterday said the majority of the health sector's budget had been a continuation of programmes launched by the previous Nationalist administrations. However, he noted that it was worrying that the government had now introduced fees on the national health system. "Government is making a difference between services and medicines. It is worrying that patients seeking in vitro fertilisation have to pay up to €2,500 for their medication and the IVF service. IVF should be accessible to everyone, not just to those who can afford it," Grech said. The national health service will be charging patients seeking in vitro fertilisation up to €2,500 for the hormonal stimulation of female patients. The MP pointed out that it was the first time that a government was creating this difference between medicines offered, and services provided. He urged the government to review its decision and abolish the fee. "Patients shouldn't be charged for a medical service, and the PN is in total disagreement with the on green jobs. "The previous administration did not even allocate a single euro on investment towards a green economy," he said. "Our plan over the next calendar year is to organise an intensive campaign so as to inform and educate people on the importance of green jobs," he said, adding that a greenthinking economy will inevitably policy," he said. Grech voiced concern over the halving of the funds allocated for the primary healthcare. He said no concrete solution had been offered to mitigate the problem of out-of-stock medicines, a problem he conceded had been going on for years. "But all we got was a promise to publish a White Paper... and a third of the legislature would have already been over by the time it will be published," he said. Claudio Grech said he would keep an open mind on the recommendations former Nationalist minister John Dalli was going to present, as part of his review on hospital admin- istration. "Dalli served as minister for half the past legislature, I'm not going to say he does not have a valid contribution to make. But it is worrying to see the management of Mater Dei divided into two: on one hand you have the minister taking political decisions, and on the other John Dalli pushing for reform." On mental health, Grech said the PN does not agree with the building of another institution replacing Mount Carmel hospital, but called for more investment in the existing structures and facilities. jpiscopo@mediatoday.com.mt tattardmontalto@mediatoday.com.mt Court rules for doctor's eligibility to surgery post CHRIS MANGION Claudio Grech (left) with Nationalist whip David Agius lead to a better quality of life. Brincat also identified the evergrowing problems related to pollution and climate change as two key areas which needed attention, and confirmed that the separation of the Environment Authority from its planning arm was imminent. THE civil court yesterday ordered the Public Service Commission to calculate the years of experience required for the post of Designate Consultant Surgeon specialising in Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary surgery. The court deliberated on the refusal of a candidate's application for the surgeon's post, issued on 20 July 2010. Robert Cuschieri applied for the post and on 20 January 2011 was informed by the PSC that he was first on the applicants' shortlist. But six months later, the PSC informed him he was ineligible for the post since he had not been on the medical specialists' register for over two years, albeit being a specialist since 2008. Cuschieri argued that the call had not required for his name to be on the register but that applicants be in possession of a certifi- cate of completion of training in general surgery. Madam Justice Jacqueline Padovani Grima heard professor Godfrey Laferla confirm that Cuschieri was clinically a specialist, but that administrative issues precluded him from being on the registry of medical specialists. The court decreed that Cuschieri was therefore eligible for the post. "As a citizen, Dr Cuschieri cannot be held liable for a government's misgivings. It was the government which failed to ensure the Exit Exams were done when required and the same government dragged its feet to include the plaintiff ' name in the registry of medical specialists." The judge ordered the PSC to proceed with the selection process, however the years of experience required for the post will now have to be calculated from the date of judgement. Court expenses are to be borne by the PSC. YOUR FIRST CLICK OF THE DAY www.maltatoday.com.mt

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