The reopened inquiry into the use of inferior-quality concrete at Mater Dei Hospital should be concluded in a matter of days, according to Parliamentary Secretary for Health Chris Fearne.

The inquiry, which is led by retired judge and former Labour MP Philip Sciberras, was reopened last week after new evidence came to light, as the Health and Energy Ministry had announced on Friday.

Speaking on the Labour Party’s One Radio, Mr Fearne said that the new evidence included email correspondence sent by the former chairman of the Foundation for Medical Services Paul Camilleri through his lawyer, but also included documents passed on by the foundation itself.

On behalf of the FMS, Mr Camilleri had signed a project closure agreement with Swedish contractors Skanska and its subcontractors which included a controversial waiver which, the government has claimed, exonerates the company from any liability. However, as The Malta Independent on Sunday had reported, the agreement actually stipulates that the government still has legal channels available through which it would be able to claim damages over the use of concrete which did not meet agreed-upon specifications.

This evidence, the parliamentary secretary said, clearly showed that Dr Gonzi was informed of the waiver. He also insisted that political responsibility had to be carried out by “Nationalist Prime Ministers,” a clear reference to Dr Gonzi and his predecessor, Eddie Fenech Adami.

Mr Fearne also revealed that Skanska has replied to the government’s own correspondence, and that the Swedish government is getting involved in negotiations.