Parliament has started debating a Bill, moved by the Opposition, aimed at protecting the national, cultural and historical heritage for the benefit of future generations.

The Bill was presented almost a year ago and was moved in Parliament today by Nationalist MP Jason Azzopardi and seconded by Parliamentary Secretary Jose' Herrera.

Among other things, the Bill amends the Civil Code to make a distinction between public land and land which is in the public domain. 

The Bill empowers citizens and NGOs to recommend land and property to be listed as ‘public domain’, meaning it cannot be used for commercial reasons. It also guarantees public access to such lands. A site would be declared as being in the public domain by parliamentary decision.

Dr Azzopardi explained that certain land and assets would become public domain ‘by nature’, such as the seabed and subsoil, the coastal perimeter and the foreshore which the Bill defines as up to 15 metres inland, as well as bastions, fortifications, valleys, the countryside, cliffs and squares, although private title would be respected.

Dr Azzopardi said the Bill also applied to movable property, such as museum collections and libraries.

The Bill is not retroactive. 

He noted that the former government had considered such a Bill in the former legislature and had issued a White Paper.

The sitting is still in progress.