Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said that the code of ethics was not being breached.

He was replying to a suggestion during his visit to RS2 Software plc’s premises this morning made by a journalist that the code of ethics is not being respected.

The ministerial code of ethics states that Cabinet members cannot exercise their private profession while they serving in office.

Parliamentary Secretary Franco Mercieca, an eye surgeon by profession, was granted a limited waiver by Dr Muscat to operate privately while Foreign Affairs Minister George Vella, a doctor by profession, also admitted to seeing patients, despite having been assigned the role of minister.

Dr Muscat said that the time is ripe to change the code of ethics, which is currently being reviewed.

Reacting to Dr Muscat's comments, the Nationalist Party said in a statement that the Prime Minister has placed himself above the rules by allowing a number of his Cabinet members breach the ministerial code of ethics and denying that ethics have been violated.

The statement referred to the ‘limited waiver’ granted to Parliamentary Secretary Franco Mercieca and Foreign Affairs Minister George Vella’s admission last week that he was still seeing patients.

“When the PN set up the code of ethics for ministers and parliamentary secretaries, it had made it clear that no Cabinet members can continue with their private practice once assigned their ministerial roles.

“A minister is there to serve the people, dedicating all his/her time and energy to the just that. 

“The code of ethics clearly stipulates: As soon as a Minister is appointed, it is expected of him not to continue with his private work. He should devote his whole time to his official duties. The prohibition covers also consultancies, attendance at offices/clinics, to give professional advice etc; even if the work is not renumerated," the PN said.