Cabinet Secretary Claudio De Vincenti on Thursday welcomed the mooted idea of the European Union funding the reconstruction effort after the recent string of devastating earthquakes in central Italy, including one in August that claimed almost 300 lives. "I think that the signal coming from the EU is positive and shows sensibility," De Vincenti told an ANSA Forum. "We'll evaluate these proposals. We have already requested (to use) the European solidarity fund and we have already set aside resources in the (2017) budget".
Vincenti told an ANSA Forum on Thursday that Italy's political machinery will be simpler and work faster if the Yes vote wins Sunday's Constitutional referendum.
"If Yes wins, we'll have a country with simpler, more transparent institutions with more responsibility to the citizens - clear responsibilities with a clear distinction between the tasks of the State and the regions," he said.
"Furthermore, there will be certainty about the time frames of laws in the Lower House.
"I think it's the only way to make the institutions more coherent with the first part of the Constitution, with lighter institutions that simplify citizens' lives".
Among other things, the Constitutional reform transforms the Senate into a leaner body of regional representatives with limited powers to save money and make passing legislation easier.
De Vincenti told an ANSA Forum Thursday that the 1.3 billion euros the Riva family has agreed to pay in relation to the ILVA steel plant in Taranto will be used to boost the environment and health of the area. "(The money can be) used for the environmental clean up of ILVA and the environmental situation of Taranto," De Vincenti told an ANSA Forum. "And when we talk about environment, we talk about health. The government has allocated 1.6 billion for the ILVA environmental clean-up and the health of Taranto".
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