10 December
While the Opposition appears to be offering more of the same, and the fact that they endured a crushing defeat at the election has not yet dawned on them, the Government said at the ceremonial opening of Parliament yesterday that 'we should all strive to avoid unnecessary confrontation.'
In Parliament yesterday, chief minister Fabian Picardo added: "I have no doubt that now that all the electioneering is over, we shall be able to carve out strong inter-personal relationships both in the Chamber and out of it as we all strive to do our best for this magnificent Country of ours.
Indeed, I can give them an assurance, as I did at the Ceremonial Opening four years ago, that on this side of the House we are not interested in personalising the debate.
We are not interested in insults or in innuendos.
We are interested only in a contest of ideas which helps the general public better understand the differences between us.
Let's leave Punch & Judy outside this place.
For this should be a place of great oratory, but not a place to reach for the cheap personal insult.
I said four years ago that we would always play the ball and not the man.
I was true to that throughout the last four years.
Indeed, I am proud to say that an Opposition Member specifically acknowledged that in Hansard in January of this year.
That is how we were able to turn old foes into new friends.
That is how we were able to turn old rivals into new colleagues.
And that is how we were able to see those who stood against before, stand up for us now.
And we will continue with that attitude.
But we will of course strongly defend ourselves from any personal attacks made against us.
We are all human and I have no about I have perhaps reacted too harshly in the past when I have felt personally insulted.
I shall leave those who are without sin or purport to be to cast the first stone.
And rest assured that I will be the first to always try harder to elevate the debate to the higher standard that Mr Speaker repeatedly encourages us to achieve.
We should all strive to avoid unnecessary confrontation.
And with a little reflection and maturity, we will no doubt be able to do so.
Because, "The Big Fright Election" is now over.
The attempts to use the fear of gas explosions or the fear of financial Armageddon to determine how people might vote has failed."
10-12-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
BEWARE: Segways are illegal - and drones need special permit
December 10, 2015
Segways and Drones have grown in popularity recently and their dropping prices means that they are becoming more accessible for purchase by the general public. As these items may be attractive Christmas gifts for consumers in Gibraltar, the Office of Fair Trading, in conjunction with HM Customs, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority, would like to raise
public awareness regarding these products to avoid any disappointments over the festive season.
SEGWAYS:
Self-balancing two-wheeled electrically-powered personal transport vehicles known as 'segways' and equivalents are prohibited from being imported into Gibraltar as per Schedule 1 of the Imports and Exports (Control) regulations 1987. This means that they are not permitted to be imported into Gibraltar.
"Anyone attempting to import such a vehicle or vehicles is contravening the law and will, therefore, have these detained and subsequently confiscated by HM Customs," said official statement.
As prohibited imports, this also means that the use of segways or equivalents within Gibraltar is illegal, regardless of whether these have already been imported into Gibraltar and regardless of whether they are to be used in public areas or on private property. The authorities may, therefore, seize any segways or equivalents found to be in possession within Gibraltar.
Segways are not the only prohibited imports in Gibraltar. You can familiarise yourself with other prohibited imports on the Government's Gibraltar laws website.
DRONES:
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), otherwise known as "Drones", "Quadcopters" or "Octocopters", are now widely available for sale to the general public. Although not classed as prohibited or restricted imports, their use locally is subject to the Civil Aviation (Air Navigation) Regulations 2009 and they cannot be used without specific authorisation from the Director of Civil Aviation in Gibraltar to fly them.
Although largely advertised as "toys", UAVs are considered to be aircraft by the laws of Gibraltar.
As such, any person operating a UAV must ensure that it shall not recklessly or negligently cause or permit the UAV to endanger any person or property.
"To gain the DCA's permission, applicants will be required to prove that they have successfully attended a recognized piloting course, have adequate insurance to cover the flying of the UAV and have considered, and mitigated, all risks associated with the flight," said official statement.
The Director of Civil Aviation commented: "While buying such equipment is easy, it must be remembered that a poorly operated small unmanned aircraft, weighing several kilograms and being flown at a couple of hundred feet above the ground, is a potential killer if it falls to earth!
"Equally, given the proximity of aircraft operating from the Airfield, any activity by Unmanned Aerial Vehicles must be carefully coordinated with Air Traffic Control. Therefore, it is extremely
important that anyone considering buying such equipment for use in Gibraltar contacts the Civil Aviation Office at dca@gibraltar.gov.gi to receive advice on the limitations in place."
Additionally, the radio frequency and transmitter power used to control drones needs to be compliant with the Communications Act so that it does not cause harmful interference to other radio systems.
10-12-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
Police injured in traffic incident
December 10, 2015
Two RGP Traffic Officers engaged in traffic duties in the area of Europort Road below Mid Harbours Estate on Tuesday were assaulted and injured after they had stopped a local youth on a moped with a view to addressing an alleged traffic offence relating to the manner of his driving, said the RGP.
As a result of the incident, the eighteen year old local male rider and a local female in her early twenties were arrested by Police on suspicion of assault.
On making the arrests one of the officers sustained two fractured fingers whilst the other sustained a dislocated shoulder. Both the male and female involved are currently on Police bail.
The RGP says it would like to stress that it will continue to adopt a firm stance in relation to assaults on officers acting in the execution of their duty. Both officers concerned were treated for their injuries at St. Bernard's Hospital and later discharged. They are now recuperating from their injuries.
10-12-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
