In proceedings brought by the Commission against the Republic of Malta, the Court had to rule on the failure of Malta to fulfill obligations in respect to Directive 2000/60/EC establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy and the status of inland surface water. The Commission alleged that Malta should have established monitoring programs on the status of inland surface water and submitted summary reports thereon. The Court dismissed certain pleas by Malta as late, which were only advanced for the first time in the rejoinder. Since at the critical date for ascertaining the case the failure of Malta is undisputed, the court ruled in favor of the Commission.