The Malta Independent (3 October) reported the appointment by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority of a new director for environment protection, a post which had been vacant since 2003.

As an interested party, allow me for the record to point out the following:

The selected director is not qualified in chemistry, as reported by The Malta Independent, but in pharmacy, having a Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Technology degree (B.Pharm.Tech.(Hons)) from the University of Malta obtained in the 1980s.

Mepa, in selecting its new director, disregarded its own advertised request.

Applicants had to possess a first degree in a suitable discipline, having a core competence in environmental protection and management as a minimum.

The selected candidate does not possess, in my opinion, the requested minimum qualifications as his academic qualifications do not contain a core competence in environmental protection and management.

Most of the other candidates (myself included) are in possession of more than the minimum qualifications requested. In fact most have post-graduate qualifications in environmental protection and management or related areas of study.

I did not accept the conclusions of Mepa and on 8 August 2006, I requested the ombudsman in writing to carry out an investigation into the whole selection process. The ombudsman is currently considering the matter (Case G 0335).

I am aware that at least one other candidate has submitted a similar request to the ombudsman for an investigation.

Carmel Cacopardo

BE&A, MSc (Sust & Env Mngt) (Staffs),

AIEMA, A&CE

Kalkara