The story on Maltastar about another garden being submerged by a morass of 23 blocks of flats bears much, much further further investigation and scrutiny, whether you live in the soot filled south or the building dust and petrol fumed and filled centre and north, of parts of Malta.

It was only this week that we found out also on Maltastar, that this supposedly pro EU government has had its knuckles rapped by the EU for not providing all the information it should have on our dust levels, air quality and more. Why on earth did it push so hard for EU membership if we aren't going to be allowed the benefits of EU membership countries, like a clean environment and better air?

The man who is now responsible for our culture and planning is Mario De Marco. What an awful juxtapostion of roles. How can he possibly be in charge of development and look after our cultural heritage when he tries to compromise on this too? What was Gonzi thinking of? This is Gonzi's first and most obvious big gaffe with his reshuffle which is now very evident. Secondly he gave Minister Dolores Cristina too much to do to, more than clearly. When have we ever lumbered one woman or man with education and almost everything that traditionally used to come under headings like Social Policy and the Family?

And Mario Demarco has very quickly stumbled, or tripped up very badly in his first weeks as Culture Minister clearly.

Did he really say there should be compromise on this as reported in Maltastar? Why? What is his interest in compromising those beautiful scheduled gardens of a former grand building to disappear and become another grid of flats instead? Even worse though Mario Demarco is in charge of culture while he also leads on planning. How can he marry the two? They are irreconcilable. It's like trying to force the Church to push for divorce.? It can't do that because it goes against its fundamental tenets and beliefs.

Similarly how can you be protecting our culture when you have to placate developers who are determined to take up every open space, even in that most congested of urban cores, the Sliema , Gzira Strand conurbations!

Malta and Gozo are fortunate in still having a few beautiful grand houses with substanial gardens One can look at San Anton Palace and its gardens, Villa Arrigo and its gardens. Palazzo Parisio and its gardens.

The latter case is a credit to the family who own it and those who run it. The grounds are impeccable and there are thriving businesses, fabulous restaurants and more. Why cant this model be followed?

This adminsitration is fast becoming a disgrace! How dare the Minister of Culture talk in favour of compromise in terms of building up the gardens of a beautiful old building. Has he forgotten he is Minsiter of Culture first and foremost? Has he forgotten his governments words about culture being one of our unique selling points as a tourist attration, Is he really Minister of Tourism too. What a mish mash Lawrence Gonzi has dreamed up?

Villa Bologna is part of our culture Minister Demarco. Kindly reconsider, whatever pressures the business men involved put on you. Put our culture first. The gardens of Malta are going, going gone fast..and we shouldnt have to raise a monument to lost gardens one day and lay part of the blame on Mario de Marco should we, just because Gonzi allocates Ministries to save his political skin, and not in the best interests of the country?

As the Minister responsible for Culture you have a clear, unequivocal duty to protect the gardens of Malta, and start with Villa Bonnici and its gardens..Think deeply before you make such unstatemanlike utterances again. As far as our culture goes, there is no compromise...