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The Parliamentary
Secretary Justice and Home Affairs, Dr. C. Mifsud Bonnici met up with the
President and the Secretary of the Association on Tuesday 12 April 2005. Present
for the meeting was Dr. P. Grech, the deputy Attorney General, who was summoned
for the purpose by the Parliamentary Secretary.
Our delegation remonstrated through photos and maps that Country Walks
publicised by the Malta Tourism Authority itself were impossible to follow
because chains, gates and other hostile devices as well as unsightly
contraptions hindered right of way. The situation of less-oft-trodden ways is
much worse. The state of affairs was in full contempt of law and ridiculed our
nation with visitors.
Both the Parliamentary Secretary and the deputy Accountant General comprehended
and appreciated that the Maltese countryside is in a sad plight and that in
general ramblers in Malta and Gozo have to risk life and limb to seek refuge
there. 'Luckily' Dr. C. Mifusd Bonnici had first hand experience himself with
menacing dogs and "keep out" signs.
Dr. Mifsud Bonnici himself argued that the Ramblers' Association cannot be
expected to resort to court action on behalf of ramblers every so often that
such complaints crop up - what with lack of legislation and the lengthy court
procedures! Interest would be lost soon and things would remain unchanged to the
detriment of citizens and guests desiring to enjoy the pleasures of nature and
the historical sites.
For the sake of good sense and fairness he recommended that the office of the
Attorney General prepare a White Paper intended to provide adequate legislation
giving and protecting right of way to the civil population through all country
paths and through access to the coastline anywhere in Malta, that considered a
sacred God-given and constitutional right of every bona fide Maltese citizen.
He also proposed to legislate that prospective "green wardens" will be empowered
to remove gates, chains, tanks and all other unsightly objects presently
hindering the right of way to places of natural and cultural interest and to the
coastline.
In Malta it is commonplace that promises are hard to be fulfilled, action long
if ever follows words, and rampant bureaucracy manages to destroy good
intentions.
RAM is however confident that this time we will strike it rich, what with a
young enthusiast twice bitten? a new broom? and all that!!
RAM is aware that pressure must be maintained after this first breakthrough, and
should situations stifle still, we promise to prevail by numbers.
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