MP Konrad Mizzi appeared before the Public Accounts Committee on Wedesday, however the entire session was taken up by his “oral presentation” and back and forth arguments with the PN MPs.

The committee was discussing the National Audit Office’s report on the Electrogas deal.

Mizzi had delayed his appearance before the committee for weeks. The former special projects minister had failed to show up four times. Mizzi had refused the first two summons to the committee, saying that the process was a partisan witch hunt led by the Nationalist MPs on the committee and adding that he had every right to refuse to attend given that he is still an MP. He then said he would show up after he was summoned for a third time, but later said his lawyer was not available. Mizzi was then summoned to appear before the PAC again, but said that he and his lawyers would only be available from 3 November onwards. A meeting was then set for 3 November, for which Mizzi appeared.

During the sitting, Mizzi was assisted by two lawyers - former Magistrate Carol Peralta and Jean Paul Sammut.

At the beginning of the meeting, Mizzi declared that he wanted to give an oral presentation. PN MP Karol Aquilina said that this would mean that he would be obliged to answer questions by the committee on the presentation according to Parliamentary procedure.

Mizzi used a good deal of time to target the PN’s pre-2013 energy policy and comparing the situation back then to today, saying that energy bills at the time were among the highest in Europe, yet now are the lowest in the Eurozone.

He spoke about bringing in security of supply through the Electrogas deal, and how the changeover to gas was good for the environment, mentioning the reduction in harmful emissions. He also claimed that the real scandals occurred under the PN through the BWSC, and surrounded oil.

His deposition eventually turned into a shouting match as cross-debating took place, with Nationalist MPs bringing up his shortcomings and Mizzi rebutting with his own allegations.

The argument sometimes got personal - Mizzi at one point insisted on describing Beppe Fenech Adami as "his royal highness", telling him that he thought he could do whatever he liked because of his father who was a President and Prime Minister.

Fenech Adami eventually turned this onto current Prime Minister Robert Abela, saying that Abela’s father was a President, and claimed that Mizzi was trying to make comments about Abela by making comments about him.

Mizzi also brought up the Capital One case. The case revolved around the apparent reluctance by the Malta police to pursue a money laundering investigation into Capital One after Fenech Adami’s name came up as a director of a fiduciary company, as had been reported by MaltaToday.  An inquiry had taken place which found that what was alleged on MaltaToday could not be confirmed.

The PN MP’s meanwhile accused Mizzi of bribery, among other things, bringing up the Panama Papers. Fenech Adami also called Konrad Mizzi “toxic.”

During the two hour session, as Mizzi continued his oral presentation, PN MP Karol Aquilina brought up Parliamentary ruling, saying that opening statements should only be 5-10 minutes long, but the MPs allowed him to continue.

Speaking on the Auditor General report, Mizzi insisted his role was one which was concerned with policy.

Mizzi quoted from the NAO report. “The Auditor General was saying that we needed a new plant, to help the environment and improve supply.”

“While the interconnector provides energy supply, it presents risks beyond Enemalta’s control, the Auditor General had said, such as the occasional restrictions in supply and repairs at sea.”

Mizzi said that the NAO had found administrative shortcomings, adding that these are normal in a  project of that size. Mizzi said that the Auditor did not say that Electrogas was the wrong choice. Mizzi walked the committee through the bidder selection procedure, saying that the Auditor General had called it transparent.

The MPs have not yet begun to ask Mizzi questions.

The meeting ended and Mizzi will continue in the next session.

Photos: Giuseppe Attard