The swearing in ceremony of Joe Cassar, former Parliamentary Secretary, as the new Health Minister was sealed with handshakes and congratulations once the formalities were over yesterday morning at the President’s Palace.

Surrounded by his family, and in the presence of Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Dr Cassar pledged to carry out his new role to the best of his ability. Dr Cassar’s appointment was announced on Tuesday night, when Dr Gonzi announced the changes to the Cabinet.

These changes were necessary after Social Policy Minister John Dalli took up the post of European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, following the vote which took place on Tuesday. Later that afternoon, Mr Dalli resigned.

Dr Cassar thanked Dr Gonzi, and said the health sector had always been a priority for this government.

He said that the plan was to keep working on existing projects and the primary health care reform, as well as tackling existing challenges, which included that of the number of beds at Mater Dei Hospital.

Dr Gonzi said that, as promised, he had kept a Cabinet which is small in size, with an overall young team. The aim of this, he said, is that of maintaining the stability which helps to work towards the creation of jobs and the improvement of quality of life.

However he has changed some of the portfolios, he said, so there may be further refinement of the Cabinet set-up.

Parliamentary Secretary for Public Dialogue and Information Chris Said has been given a special responsibility for Consumer Rights and Competition, Dr Gonzi said, within the Office of the Prime Minister. This is because there has to be an effective structure to guarantee this.

Parliamentary Secretary within the Finance Ministry, Jason Azzopardi, has also been entrusted with small entities and self-employed, so there can be more focus on this important sector.

Minister Cristina, who already had extensive experience within the Social Policy Ministry, he said, is replacing Mr Dalli. Dr Gonzi added that culture would now fall within the remit of Mario de Marco, who will be responsible for the MEPA reform, tourism, culture and the arts.

Due to the role of the Finance Ministry in debates following the utility tariffs, the decision was taken to place Enemalta and the Water Services Corporation under the Finance Ministry, Dr Gonzi said.

He added that the Commission, which Mr Dalli formed part of, had received a strong approval during the vote taken yesterday. He congratulated him, and augured that Mr Dalli will have a rewarding term as Commissioner.

An important change, Dr Gonzi said, was the decision to set up a Strategy Unit within the remit of the Office of the Prime Minister. This unit would be focused on tailoring the country’s strategy, so it may make the most of existing opportunities.

Dr Gonzi said he would be directly responsible for this Unit, which would be bringing together a number of departments, including the strategic unit at MEPA, research and innovation, and intellectual property rights.

Dr Gonzi said that although it was true to say that other members of Parliament had experience and potential, he felt he had made the best choice in the situation.