From Mr R. Cassar

Even as here in Malta the Nationalist government wants us taxpayers to bear the burden of years of mismanagement and incompetence, in the European Parliament Nationalist MEPs Simon Busuttil and David Casa earlier this year voted against or abstained from voting on measures designed to curb abuse of European Union funds, funds coughed up by each and every one of us.

These two gentlemen, who want us to believe that they are the epitome of integrity, do not seem to mind one bit that millions of euros of our money are wasted because of inefficient and lax procedures when it comes to MEPs’ allowances.

As for believing statements made by Busuttil, this gentleman had publicly stated that he was not interested in contesting elections, but then a few months later he contested the EP elections under the Nationalist Party’s banner. Words do not mean much to Busuttil it seems, so his voting record, for all the talk about spending people’s taxes wisely, comes as no surprise. By all means MEPs should be supported financially in order to enable them to perform their duties professionally and effectively, but waste and abuse should be stamped out.

Busuttil and Casa though, seem to think otherwise. How can people have trust in European institutions with MEPs who are insensitive to issues of fiscal morality when it comes to spending people’s taxes?

Can Simon Busuttil, who goes to great lengths to come across as the good guy and has no qualms about moralising, explain why he abstained from voting on the issue of naming MEPs who embezzle EU funds?

Why did Simon Busuttil abstain from voting in favour of reimbursements for the actual travel costs to be reimbursed to MEPs rather than as happens now where fixed sums of money are given for travel, even though the cost of the trips is sometimes much less?

Busuttil also abstained from voting, unlike the majority of the EPP bloc, on an amendment for audits on the amount MEPs pay towards their pension schemes.

David Casa actually voted against being reimbursed for actual travel costs and abstained from voting on the other issues. Well, nobody expected any better from the partisan and old-style politician Casa!

Busuttil, despite all his efforts to come across as the good, holier-than-thou politician, has finally shown his true colours.

Ralph Cassar

ATTARD