The language of EIA hearings

Published on the Malta Independent on Sunday 11th July, 2010 by Kenneth J. Borg.

Reference is made to the letter from Peter Gingell, Mepa Communications Officer, with the above heading (TMIS, 27 June), in which he defended the affront meted out to the large presence of foreigners at the Hondoq public consultation, during which NGO speakers were not allowed to say a single word in English.

While it is true that the Environment Impact Assessment regulations stipulate that “The language of the public hearing shall be in Maltese,” Mr Gingell has quoted selectively, omitting the previous sentence “The Director of Environment Protection shall, as much as is reasonable, give every person present at the hearing who wishes to make any submissions the opportunity to air his views on the environmental implications of the proposed development.” Was it not reasonable to allow the foreign residents to express themselves in English and to put a stop to the very clear intimidation that took place in the Qala school hall? Why did the chairman of the Mepa session give in to the development lobby and refuse the NGOs’ speakers rational request to shorten their delivery in Maltese in order to give a couple of minutes’ synopsis in English?

Since the regulations also impose that the non-technical summary and press notifications of the sessions are given in both Maltese and English, the very EIA legislation indicates clearly its intention to cater for non-Maltese members of our community.

Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar has often stressed the importance of Maltese in the EIA process, since the non-technical summary is often in a language that is not understood by the general public. Similarly, we expect Mepa to fulfil its obligations under the Aarhus Convention and make its processes accessible to all, including the strong community of foreign residents in Gozo.

Mepa was well aware of the language situation following the debacle of the last Ta’ Cenc public consultation. If it wanted to be a stickler and follow its regulations, it could have provided translation services this time. After all we are not asking for the proceedings to be conducted in German or Swedish, but for the provision of a basic level of information in English, one of Malta’s two official languages.