Assistant Commissioner Neil Harrison to head Visa Central Unit

Assistant Commissioner Neil Harrison will be heading the Visa Central Unit, while an agency responsible from visas, immigration, expatriate affairs and the Individual Investment Programme will be set up.

Addressing a public consultation meeting organised by the Office of the Prime Minister, Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia and parliamentary secretary for justice Owen Bonnici also announced that as from next month, the public could initiate small claims cases online.

Taking the opportunity to fend off criticism on the transfer of Owen Bonnici to the OPM, Mallia said this showed that the Labour government "truly listens".

"Even though we are two different persons responsible of justice and home affairs, we gave heed to criticism, also leveled by the Opposition, that these fell under the same ministry. This shows that we are truly a government that listens," the minister said.

This evening's session was marked by interventions on the prisons, young offenders, rehabilitation of prisoners and domestic violence.

An international call for expression of interest will be issued to provide consultancy services on the individual investment programme, where citizenship is obtained through investment.

Mallia said the present visas agency had 300 pending applications by EU residents only. The plan is to move the department to the Evans Laboratory where new offices will be set up by the end of July.

The office will provide a one-stop-shop for issues related to passports, ID cards, certificates and residency permits.

The minister also announced that a number of changes in the top structures of the Police Corps will be announced.

Meanwhile, improvements to the police headquarters have already been carried out such as the installation of CCTV cameras in lockup and in other areas of the headquarters.

Mallia said his ministry was currently analysing proposals put forward as to whether the Special Assignment Group (SAG) should be replaced by Rapid Intervention Teams and how police stations should operate.

"Should we have a police station in each locality with few officers or should we go to less police stations but which are better equipped? These are all questions we are currently analysing," he said.

A draft bill for the unionisation of disciplined forces will be presented to the Cabinet next Tuesday.

It was also announced that a special unit led by Brigadier Maurice Calleja, Col Raphael Farrugia and human resources expert Roderick Cutajar will be set up to receive complaints by members of the Armed Forces of Malta.

The unit will be regulated by law and will have the legal authority to listen to the complaints and put forward recommendations.

Fielding questions on the Corradino Correctional Facility, Mallia said the rehabilitation of prisoners was a priority. He was also looking eagerly at companies who were interested in providing employment to ex inmates.

Another point the minister was pushing for was for the setting up of a room at CCF which was appropriate for children who were visiting their parents or relatives in prisons.

Among other interventions, Bonnici expressed his "disappointment and disgust" at how the Family Courts was operating.

Making it clear that he was not referring to the staff of the courts, which he described "as hard working" and "dedicated to their work".

"But it's unacceptable that there is no privacy at the family courts; people waiting on the stairs eating crisps. I am highly dissatisfied with the present state of this court," he said.

Bonnici said that while the previous administration had announced plan to turn the Family Courts in a Drugs Court, yet he found no such plans upon taking office.

"According to the civil servants, even they had been surprised when the previous minister had made this announcement," he said.

The junior minister also revealed that no funds had been allocated for the Chamber of the Judiciary.

Bonnici said he was disgusted by the legal aid system, which was "embarrassing". Former judge JD Camilleri was commissioned with preparing a report on legal aid which he has already presented to Bonnici.

"We need to provide an adequate structure for legal aid as the present service is disgusting. It is not the staff's fault but because the authorities have allowed a system which leaves a lot to be desired."

Fielding questions on PBS, Mallia said he held meetings with both the old and new PBS boards.

"Government will not interfere with editorial decisions, but our message is clear. There were certain things in the past that showed lack of balance. I don't want this to be repeated today as well. We want our state TV to be impartial and which does not insult people's intelligence."