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[Live-blog] EP committee greenlights Leo Brincat's nomination to European Court of Auditors

The European Parliament's Committee for Budgetary Control has voted - by a narrow margin - to approve the nomination of Malta’s nominee to the European Court of Auditors • Leo Brincat is given green light with 11 votes in favour, nine against and one abstention after facing a thorough grilling from European MPs

paul_cocks
Last updated on 5 September 2016, 5:38pm
by Paul Cocks
1 min read
Leo Brincat faces a grilling on his nomination for the European Court of Auditors
Leo Brincat faces a grilling on his nomination for the European Court of Auditors
18:19 Thank you for following MaltaToday. Paul Cocks
18:16 Vote on Leo Brincat's nomination was taken behind closed doors. European Parliament insiders have told MaltaToday that it is likely that S&D, GUE and Greens voted in favour whilst the EPP and ALDE voted against. Paul Cocks
17:52 PM congratulates Leo Brincat on appointment to European Court of Auditors

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17:18 Opposition leader Simon Busuttil on Brincat'c claims that he had no choice but to vote in favour of Konrad Mizzi in vote of no-confidence in parliament

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17:12 Leo Brincat's Maltese colleagues congratulate him on his performance in committee hearing

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17:10 ECA Portugese nominee João Figueiredo being questioned by committee Paul Cocks
16:42 Brincat steps down from committee hearing on ECA nomination Paul Cocks
16:40 Brincat: "When allegations of misappropriation of EU funds surfaced, I always immediately askd oversight bodies to fully investigate complaints Paul Cocks
16:39 Brincat says that even in Public Accounts Committee and Environment Authority, he had always insisted on true autonomy and independence Paul Cocks
16:37 Brincat says he had always promptly submitted his declaration of assets as requested by law Paul Cocks
16:37 Brincat: "In Malta, MPs are not full-time employees, and do not even have a salary but only an honoraria" Paul Cocks
16:36 Commmittee rapporteur asks Brincat how he could guarantee his independence as a member of the ECA Paul Cocks
16:32 Brincat says that Prof Guido de Marco had once introduced him to other EU dignitaries as one of Malta's strongest believers in the European ideal Paul Cocks
16:31 On the Labour Party's opposition to joining the EU, Brincat says it had always been made clear that the party would respect the decision of the citizens, and had since shown that it took that to heart Paul Cocks
16:29 Brincat says that, in case of large 'mega-contracts', some discretion should be expected but insists government whould adhere to any targets set for publishing contracts Paul Cocks
16:28 Coommittee chairperson questions why Maltese government has failed to publish some public contracts Paul Cocks
16:27 Brincat explains National Audit Office independence guaranteed by having auditor general being appointed by parliamentary consensus Paul Cocks
16:24 Brincat: "We need to move away from the spending culture to one of absorbing EU funds responsibly and effectively." Paul Cocks
16:23 Brincat says ECA reports and recommendations need to be drawn up in a simpler and quicker manner Paul Cocks
16:20 MEP praises Brincat's experience and seconds his suggestion that audit reports be simplified Paul Cocks
16:18 Brincat: "Panama scandal, LuxLeaks will lead to reform in banking sector" Paul Cocks
16:18 Brincat explains his mangerial roles in banking: "I was not a shareholder in any bank" Paul Cocks
16:16 Brincat explains setting up Environmental Authority and how he had insisted it become 'a watchdog and not government's lapdog' Paul Cocks
16:15 Brincat: "Environment always a challenge, especially for a small country like Malta, with high population density." Paul Cocks
16:13 MEP praises Brincat from stepping down as Minister before accepting ECA nomination Paul Cocks
16:10 Brincat: "You can have things that are legal, but are ethically incorrect." Paul Cocks
16:10 Brincat: "If I were instead of Mizzi, I would have resigned or suspended myself from parliamentary group." Paul Cocks
16:09 Brincat: "Those opinions I stated in the published articles, I then repeated during the debate in parliament on the vote." Paul Cocks
16:08 Brincat says he had considered resigning over no confidence vote on Mizzi, but chose to remain to try and strengthen existing good governance structures Paul Cocks
16:07 Brincat said although he had no choice in vote, he had on numerous occasions spoken out against such 'choices', citing articles in media Paul Cocks
16:06 Brincat said: "I will be blunt, I had no choice." Paul Cocks
16:06 With regards to vote on Konrad Mizzi, Brincat presents a statement by PM Joseph Muscat wherein he stated that Labour MPs were not given free vote in vote of no confidence on Mizzi Paul Cocks
16:05 Brincat said he would respect the decision of the European Parliament Paul Cocks
16:04 MEP to Brincat: "How can we be sure you will not behave in the same manner in the future, if appointed to the European Court of Auditors?" Paul Cocks
16:03 MEP asks Brincat why he voted against a vote of no-confidence brought against Konrad Mizzi in parliament Paul Cocks
16:00 Brincat concludes opening statement; now facing questioning Paul Cocks
15:55 Brincat says that, if appointed, he would seek even more intensive consultation and dialogue with Court's stakeholders, including citizens Paul Cocks
15:54 Brincat: "ECA recommendations should go beyond mere platitudes" Paul Cocks
15:52 Leo Brincat address Committee for Budgetary Control; introduces himself and says that auditor's independence is critical for court's duties Paul Cocks
15:49 Committee chairperson welcomes Brincat to hearing Paul Cocks
15:48 Leo Brincat next to face grilling by the Committee on Budgetary Control on his nomination to the European Court of Auditors Paul Cocks
15:47 Committee ends questioning of Cypriot nominee Lazarou Paul Cocks
15:18 The Cypriot nominee, Lazaros S. Lazarou, now addressing committee

http://www.eesc.europa.eu/resources/toolip/img-thumb/2016/07/04/dsc_0131-lazarou-extra_large.jpg Paul Cocks

15:12 European Parliament’s Committee on Budgetary Control is now in session, starting with the adoption of agenda, announcements and approval of minutes, followed by the hearing on the nomination of Cypriot Lazaros S. Lazarou before Brincat faces the committee Paul Cocks
14:52 More well wishes for Brincat

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14:47 Labour MPs and colleagues of Leo Brincat are wishing him well ahead of his ECA nomination hearing

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Malta’s nominee to the European Court of Auditors (ECA) Leo Brincat was given the green light by the European Parliament's Budgetary Control Committee in Brussels, with 11 votes in favour, nine against and one abstention, after a gruelling hearing earlier.

Brincat, who until his nomination in April occupied the post of environment minister, was the government’s second nominee for the post after former Labour deputy leader Toni Abela was turned down by MEPs mainly for his lack of experience in top-level government posts.

Unlike Abela, Brincat, a seasoned politician and a Labour heavyweight who has repeatedly been elected to parliament since 1982, could bank on his political experience to get him through the grilling.

Nonetheless, faced a stern test today with MEPs grilling him on his refusal to back a no-confidence motion in former energy minister Konrad Mizzi – the now ‘minister without portfolio’ and Brincat’s former Cabinet colleague who was mentioned in the Panama Papers after having been revealed to have offshore interests.

Paul Cocks joined MaltaToday after having spent years working in newspapers with The Times...
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