Prime Minister Joseph Muscat confirmed speculation that former European Commissioner John Dalli will be trusted to oversee the reform at Mater Dei Hospital. According to Dr Muscat the current state of the healthcare system is “rotten” and the PN-led government intentionally kept the situation under its wraps.
The prime minister made this announcement this morning during an interview on ONE Radio.
The first indications that Mr Dalli, was being touted for an executive post emerged on Friday evening during a surprise meeting with the prime minister at Castille. The former commissioner also served as minister in successive PN-led administrations.
Dr Muscat said that when taking office last March, the situation in the health ministry especially at Mater Dei was much worse that he had expected. “We found no plans on the way forward, except for those compiled by John Dalli, during his brief spell as Minister for Health between 2008 and 2009”.
The prime minister reiterated the point made some days ago that he found a management-by-crisis model. Dr Muscat said that after the first 100 days in government, the health ministry has identified three priorities which are primary healthcare, the emergency department at Mater Dei and medicines’ procurement.
The prime minister said that he took onboard, the suggestion made by Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia who came up with the idea of approaching Mr Dalli’s to head the reform programme at Mater Dei.
“Mr Dalli welcomed this invitation and is willing to help” said that the prime minister who was keen to stress that the former commissioner will not be employed as a consultant.
PM defends Lou Bondi’s appointment in the face of internal criticism
During the interview the prime minister commented on some of the most controversial issues which erupted during his first three months in office. In a rather bullish tone he said that the ramifications of the ‘earthquake of change’ he embarked upon when he was elected party leader in 2008, are now being felt across all the country.
He said that Lou Bondi’s appointment on a committee to oversee the organisation of national feasts is a case in point. Dr Muscat said he can fully understand the negative reaction in some quarters, including from Labour MEP Joseph Cuschieri who vented his anger through his Facebook account in which he dubbed this decision as “obscene”.
Dr Muscat said that as much as he finds nothing wrong in Mr Bondi’s appointment he will also defend the decision to appoint former Labour secretary-general Jason Micallef as head of the Valletta 2018 Foundation.
The prime minister said that way back in 2008 when was elected party leader on the bounce of his promise to overhaul the party structures, “not everyone immediately understood my plans” but five years down the line, the results were obvious.
“Once again this time with a very strong mandate, I am trying to instil a different mentality on a nationwide basis, but it is fully understandable that there will be some resistance even from within. However I am convinced that this is the way forward”, stressed Dr Muscat.
The prime minister said that next year could be a unique opportunity for
the people to unite, since the country will be marking its tenth year of EU membership, 34 years of freedom, 40 years as a republic and 50 years as an independent state. “My dream is that PN-leaning supporters will feel part of the celebrations to mark Freedom Day and vice versa on Independence Day”.
He added that short listing the national days to two will be an important step forward, whilst assuring that there are no plans to reduce public holidays.
Cabinet meetings to move out of Castille
During the interview the prime minister also announced that as part of its commitment to be closer to the people, government is planning to hold some of its cabinet meetings in the community. These may vary from local council offices or public halls.
Regarding the public consultation meetings being held at Castille, he said that even though some might think that it is too early for such an exercise, government is keen to convey the message that it is open for suggestions and criticisms.
He added that he is impressed by the turnout and the quality of the meetings, which will be held two times a year for the entire legislature. Dr Muscat stressed that the points raised during these meetings will be followed-up.
The prime minister said that the first 100 days were not a honey moon period and served to understand better the mechanisms of government. Dr Muscat said that rather than sitting back, he is looking forward to
increase the momentum gathered so far.
Asked about the fact that he opted to have the biggest ever cabinet in history, Dr Muscat said that in the previous administration some important sectors were being overlooked and there was lack of accountability. He added that the ministry for energy is a good example, as it previously fell under the remit of the finance ministry.
According to the prime minister at times people Claudio Grech, Alan Caruana and Edgar Galea Curmi were taking the ones taking decisions rather than ministers.
On education, the prime minister said that success is not simply guaranteed by increasing spending. Dr Muscat said that new schools will still be built, but at the same time maintenance will still be carried out, contrary to what was happening under the previous administration.
€4 million study ‘only the tip of the iceberg’
Regarding the economy which to his own admission has further potential for growth, the prime minister remarked that if government tried to present a different budget, the situation would have been even worse. He said that even though in the first quarter there were positive signs for the economy, his not satisfied. Dr Muscat said that the expression for interest to redevelop the shipbuilding in Marsa, the opening of new casinos, and for the cruise liner terminal in Gozo are all part of the long-term plans to stimulate economic growth. Touching on short-term measures, he said the decision to relax the repayment terms for VAT defaulters is meant to kick-start the economy. He said that sending people to jail over a VAT return is not the best solution.
The prime minister also spoke about relationships between Malta and China saying that he has been in contact with the Chinese government since the first days in office.
According to Dr Muscat he is taking advantage of the fact the he had already met the Chinese leader twice before becoming prime minister. He added that the €4 million feasibility study on the Malta-Gozo bridge is just “the tip of the iceberg”, thus hinting that more such agreements may be in the pipeline. However he then tried to pour cold water on his statement saying that he will only pronounce himself when agreements are put down black on white.
Dr Muscat fended off criticism that Malta is begging foreign countries for financial assistance. Instead he believes that this is part of a commitment to seize opportunities from emerging economies “as money is not only in Europe but in other parts of the world as well”.
Justice Reform Commission to meet judiciary shortly
The prime minister also referred to the preliminary report presented as part of the judicial review, which was harshly criticised by the Chief Justice who lamented that he was not consulted. Dr Muscat said that
in the coming days the commission headed by Judge Emeritus Giovanni Bonello will meet members from the judiciary. “I will start to worry when everyone lauds this report, as there are some areas which required urgent and decisive attention” said the prime minister.
During the interview the prime minister justified his decision to grant a 100-day amnesty to prisoners saying that this was the result of consultation with NGOs and “surely not a populist decision”.
He also referred to the decision through which time-barring for politicians facing corruption charges has been lifted. “The second step will be the Whistleblower Act which will be enacted before the summer recess” said the prime minister. Regarding the law on party financing, he said that government is committed to approve the bill by the end of the year.
The prime minister also touched on the issue of employers offering jobs with substandard conditions saying that an inquiry has been launched after a newspaper revealed that the department of contracts in recent weeks issued a call, in which employees were offered less than the minimum wage. Dr Muscat said that if this was not a genuine mistake, people will have to shoulder their responsibilities.