Minister’s partner would prefer clear guidelines on voluntary role by Farrugia’s side

Labour MP Marlene Farrugia has admitted that the media scrutiny into her recently-unveiled role as "purely voluntary assistant" to the health minister is justified given the new precedent this role has created.

Farrugia's role as a voluntary assistant to her partner, Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia, was unveiled during a press conference on Monday when the Farrugias faced the media in a press conference seated side by side. It also emerged that Marlene Farrugia would be representing the health minister in various meetings with the health sector's many stakeholders.

Both Farrugias work in their own private clinic as a family GP and dentist respectively.

The revelation that the husband-wife tandem are both fulfilling the role of the minister gave rise to considerable speculation in the media for several reasons, from the grey area that the voluntary role represents, to the fact that Marlene Farrugia still runs a private dental clinic.

Contacted by MaltaToday, Marlene Farrugia admitted that her position neither represented an official role within the ministry, nor that she had clear terms of reference.

She added that even the question of whether her role is "official" or not is up to interpretation. "If the Prime Minister asks you to work with the health minister to assist the ministry's work, is that appointment an official one? I believe it is."

She however said that she would be far more comfortable were the role she was asked to perform by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat defined clearly, to address misconceptions.

"Since my role is not explained, it can be interpreted that I am interfering somehow. If there are clear lines or defined terms of reference, it would be preferable."

She noted that her position as a voluntary assistant to the health ministry is a new situation that is setting a precedent and giving rise to uncertainty and speculation which should be addressed.

"I am coming under attack," she said, pointing to considerable media scrutiny since the role was made public. "But they are right to question me because they don't know the specifics, and the situation isn't clear.

"I feel if guidelines for the role were in place it would be better for those who are governing, as well as for the media and the public who want to know what to expect," she said.

"The Prime Minister said I should help the health minister in his work. I understand that it meant that I was to assist the health ministry in my capacity as MP and as a health professional with several years' worth of experience.

"I informed Godfrey that the Prime Minister asked me to perform this duty, and he welcomed me in this, and said he would need me to assist him meet the health sector's many department heads, workers, and other stakeholders by filling in where he cannot make it."

She says that her role depends strictly on what she is called upon to do by the minister. "I can only do what the minister delegates. If the minister does not delegate, I cannot do it."

She however noted that her role within the ministry was open to future revisions and that she would abide by any specific 'definitions' of the role. "If the Prime Minister at any point feels the need to define my role it is his prerogative. My original brief definition was simply to help the minister in the health department."

Asked whether her brief includes taking decisions and making statements on behalf of the health minister, Farrugia replied in the negative.

"I can only represent the minister in meetings. I can give my input on issues which are being discussed, but only after the minister gives the facility to do so."

She went on to say that even then, she would limit herself to those issues or statement that she feels that there is agreement with the minister over them, and added that she will be receiving ministerial briefs on issues and discussions before such meetings.

Farrugia insisted that the position does not represent an easy ride. "It is a Catch-22 situation. The Prime Minister asked me to do my part. To do that, I have to work within the constraints of abiding by the minister's opinion and decisions. I have to reflect that in all I do."

However, Farrugia said she is resolute. "I will still do it. I was asked by the Prime Minister, and I am committed to do what is asked of me. I will give my contribution."

"The moment the Prime Minister feels I should contribute in a different way, I am at his disposal."

Asked about the issue of a potential conflict of interest that could arise when a practicing member of any profession is in a position where she has access to high-level government administration, Farrugia disagreed that this was the case.

She said it was a concern she had cleared with Muscat, adding that at no point was she requested to relinquish her private practice. "I asked the Prime Minister himself during the meeting, and he said that there wasn't an issue of conflict of interest. I don't see any conflict of interest. The only conflict that is arising is how I spend my time, as my own private practice also requires a significant portion of my time," she said

She also pointed out that as MP, she is already obliged to declare all her assets.

However asked whether she felt she should divest herself of her private practice - as do all ministers and parliamentary secretaries - Farrugia argued out that while they receive a salary for the position, her own role was a purely unpaid voluntary one.

She however reiterated that if the government decides to issue guidelines that address this point, she would be only too happy by abide by them.

She noted that all MPs, through their own parliamentary work, have access to certain levels of governmental administration. "What I am doing now is what I used to do before, only much more focused on the health ministry."

She also confirmed that she has also been appointed chairperson of the Environmental and Development Committee in the House.

"The fact is that I also often convert houses of character and re-sell them. Does this mean I have a conflict of interest?" she asked. "Ultimately, what it comes down to is the character and the integrity of the person in question."

She also insisted that she has taken to the role only out of the best of intentions, and that she is simply doing her best to help the minister out with his considerable workload now that he has just taken up the heath portfolio.

She however insisted that her role would last as long as she is required to do her part. "If at any point there is no longer any need for me to do my part or assist in the ministry's work, I will have no problem stepping back."