PN backbencher Franco Debono has tabled a motion demanding that the proposed agreement between the government and St Philip’s Hospital be scrutinised by the Auditor General and for the Public Accounts Committee to review the proposed agreement.

The motion calls for parliament to debate the terms of reference of this €12 million acquisition agreement which covers a period of eight years. In the meantime, Dr Debono is asking for the whole process to be halted pending parliamentary approval.

The motion says that prior to taking important decisions government must take into consideration the views of the coalition partner as well as those of another MP who has expressed strong reservations on his support to the government.

Dr Debono uses strong words on the performance of Health Minister Joe Cassar and parliamentary secretary Mario Galea, accusing them of mismanagement. The motion refers to waiting lists, overcrowding at Mater Dei Hospital and a lack of vision.

He adds that those who allegedly were responsible for the current shortcomings in the health sector should not be allowed or trusted to mitigate them.

Dr Debono also questions the decision to acquire St Philip’s Hospital four years down the line after the opening of Mater Dei which took 15 years to complete at a heavy cost.

The motion says that the timing of this agreement on the eve of a general election is suspicious and fuels speculation that it might be an electoral gimmick.

The motion echoes the call made on Monday by the Speaker, Michael Frendo, when ruling against the Opposition’s demand to hold an urgent debate on the privatisation of car parks. In his ruling, Dr Frendo remarked that parliamentary standing orders need to be updated so as to reflect better the realities of a modern democratic EU country.

Dr Debono’s motion states that at present the government is imposing its agenda against the wish of the majority of the House, thus blocking any potential discussion which might be the source of embarrassment.

Another point of Dr Debono’s motion concerns the need to legislate to ensure that the government is kept under scrutiny in the final months of the legislature, to curb any abuses or even counter the impression of any illegalities. The motion also calls for the party financing bill which was tabled by Dr Debono last January to be debated urgently, so as to counter the impression that political parties are above the law.