Minister dismisses Chamber’s ‘neighbourly’ interest in reserved parking

Transport Minister Austin Gatt has dismissed the Chamber of Commerce’s ‘neighbourly’ interest in freeing up MPs’ parking spaces for the general public, hinting that the Chamber wants the spaces for its own staff.

The Chamber has asked Transport Malta to free up the spaces, 22 in all for government ministers, during the summer and Christmas recess so as to “improve accessibility to Valletta.”

But in a statement, Gatt said the Chamber had failed to point out that the reserved spaces were located in front of its offices and that “its ‘neighbourly’ interest would have been understandable if the Chamber declared it from the outset.”

Gatt said the 22 spaces were so small compared to the 3,000 spaces that are available that it made no material difference to the availability of parking for shoppers in Valletta.

“The Chamber of Commerce is obviously aware of this… this has been the practice for the last 20 years at least.

“What Transport Malta thinks about the matter is beside the point... it is Parliament itself that has repeatedly confirmed its view that a number of spaces reserved for Parliamentarians in close proximity to the parliament building on a year-round basis is necessary for the conduct of parliamentary business. Should Parliament indicate that it does not require the reserved space anymore, Transport Malta will be only too happy to comply,” Gatt said.

The Chamber has said the reserved parking creates congestion and generates unnecessary emissions to the detriment of people and historic buildings.

“Reserving parking spaces for MPs even during recess periods is unacceptable given the critical situation which is severely hampering the conduct of business. Freeing the spaces to the public during Parliament recess periods would alleviate the situation during summer and Christmas shopping periods. Ministers and parliamentary secretaries have drivers; therefore, their reserved spaces could be freed on a permanent basis to allow some further improvement all the year round,” the Chamber said.