Government to launch public consultation over proposed EU changes to daylight savings
The government will be launching an online public consultation to gauge the country’s opinion on the proposed EU changes to daylight savings hours before the cabinet formulates a position on the matter themselves, European Affairs Minister Helena Dalli announced at a press conference in Valletta.
The platform was launched today and will close on 1 October, which will be accompanied by a public consultation held at Central Bank. The survey can be accessed through the website of the European Affairs Ministry.
A public consultation with various stakeholders in the MEUSAC forum to gather the perspective of all industries.
“There will be an impact on various industries, so we need to ensure we get a holistic perspective,” Parliamentary Secretary Aaron Farrugia said.
Dalli said that the previous digital survey conducted by the European Commission was responded by 54% of the population, with the majority declaring that they would support the change.
The EU Commission has proposed removing daylight savings altogether (adding an hour of daylight in the summer) or remaining on summertime.
The survey the commission conducted, which Dalli stressed was not scientific, found that 88% of the EU favoured the removal of daylight savings.
Asked by the newsroom whether the government has spoken to other Southern European member states to gauge a common position, given that the shortened summer hours could affect important economies such as Tourism, the Minister said that countries such as Cyprus had already declared their opposition, while northern European countries back the proposal.