Solution identified in l-Gharix dispute

A solution has been identified in the long-standing issue of compensation for Dom Mintoff's Delimara residence, l-Gharix, sources said yesterday.

Under the proposed out-of-court settlement, Mr Mintoff will keep possession of l-Gharix.

Once certain legal issues are resolved, Mr Mintoff will also gain title to a large area, which includes a building in Xrobb l-Ghagin, Delimara.

Mr Mintoff already enjoyed encroachment rights over this building in Xrobb l-Ghagin but the government would have to demolish and reconstruct this building which is currently uninhabitable, the sources said.

"Negotiations between the two sides have reached a very advanced stage and the terms of a solution on the issue have been defined," the sources said.

An application was filed with the Malta Environment and Planning Authority earlier this month by the director general for works Vince Cassar for the demolition and reconstruction of premises at Xrobb l-Ghagin.

The sources said the application was still in its initial stages and had not yet been processed.

Until the issue is finalised, the legal case between the government and Mr Mintoff over compensation for l-Gharix will remain pending.

A court had ruled in 1995 that Mr Mintoff's fundamental human rights had been violated when the Delimara power station was built close to his residence.

Two years ago the government had stopped discussions over compensation with Mr Mintoff after proposals he submitted presented legal and administrative difficulties.

A deal struck with Mr Mintoff by the former Labour government in 1998 included a tract of land at Fawwara to be developed into a residence, valued at Lm230,000, and financial compensation of Lm128,000 together with a handout of Lm4,950 for structural damage caused by the construction of the Delimara power station. However, the agreement fell through after the government failed to obtain permission to develop the site.