Michael Falzon wants public ‘to appreciate fireworks volunteers’
David Darmanin The Maltese Pyrotechnics Society yesterday called a press conference to propose 10 amendments to the current law regulating fireworks, with a view to safeguarding Maltese artisanship while addressing public concerns regarding healthy and safety.
Shadow Home Affairs minister Michael Falzon, who is the legal advisor of the pyrotechnics society, first asked the media to join him “in showing appreciation to the volunteers” in village feasts.
He later clarified that the position he was occupying during the press conference had nothing to do with his political life.
“We know bombs (murtali) bother people,” Falzon said. “The society has appealed for a limit on the use of bombs. But we are also proposing that the size of bombs launched during salutes is reduced from six inches to five inches, while the size of other bombs is retained. This, we guarantee, will minimise the inconvenience.”
When asked whether an assessment had been carried out to measure by how much the inconvenience would be reduced, Falzon was evasive about any backing studies.
He was also asked whether the proposals took into account the effects of loud noise on vulnerable people – such as babies, the elderly and the sick – and animals.
“From experience, I can tell you that a 4” bomb does not bother anyone,” Falzon declared.
“However, as much as stamp collecting is a silent hobby, the art of pyrotechnics gives pleasure in both its visual and audio elements. There is no silent pyrotechnic art. We would be living on the moon if we were to think of it as such, as much as we would be living on the moon if we thought that there could be a silent party that goes on until 5am.”
Falzon also seemed to put doubt on whether a study on noise levels was even possible. “How are you going to work out a study? Where? There are variables. But I can guarantee that with the enactment of our proposed amendments to the law, the bother would be reduced.”
Falzon claimed fireworks manufacturers were being exposed to higher safety risks because the use of potassium nitrate in fireworks was restricted by law. He said the society is demanding the full liberalisation of this chemical.
The society is also proposing a new 100-metre buffer zone from the area where fireworks are launched, to allow single-break shells without the use of bombs.
Falzon also protested the 25% reduction in the quota of potassium chlorate to fireworks manufacturers, with a further 25% reduction expected this year. “It is banal for the authorities to think that with more potassium chlorate, more bombs are made,” he said, referring to the chemical, a rocket propellant.
“What’s done is done, so we are not asking for the quota to be increased. What we want is for the quota not to be reduced further,” Falzon said.
The society is also proposing that the murtali are fired at 9am, instead of 8am as is customary according to Catholic tradition. “I am convinced the Madonna and our patron saints won’t frown upon us if we fire them an hour later,” Falzon said in jest.
“These are the exigencies of modern life, even though everything is accepted nowadays. Nobody finds a problem with parties until 5am, but if you launch a bomb at 8am they make you feel like you’re in Afghanistan.”
The society is also proposing a reduction of one hour for the time slots permitted for evening fireworks, with an obligatory break of 30 minutes; and for regulation of fireworks trials. Falzon revealed that police stations were closing their eye on trail if the were advised beforehand. “This is why we need a law to regulate trial rounds.”
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