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Muscat says Dalli’s work at Mater Dei ‘positive’, claims public health drained millions
Prime Minister stands by appointment of former EU commissioner forced to resign over anti-fraud investigation, to health advisor.
26 July 2013, 12:00am
Davinia Hamilton
Davinia Hamilton
2 min read
File photo: John Dalli (left) with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat is standing by his appointment of former EU commissioner John Dalli as advisor on public health reform, after being quizzed by the press over the fact that Dalli was employing one of his daughters at the office he has been provided at Mater Dei Hospital.
"So far Dalli has worked well, especially when dealing with unpardonable things that have been taking place at Mater Dei," Muscat said today, during a visit to the Playmobil factory in Hal Far.
"Millions of euros in abuse and wastage have been lost. The health sector was draining public funds," Muscat said, without going into details of the alleged abuses taking place at the public hospital.
"Dalli's results have so far been good, and that's I measure a person," Muscat said of the former commissioner, whose trips to the Bahamas in the summer of 2012 aboard a private jet and his alleged role in setting up a multi-million philanthropic project in Africa, raised questions over his associates and his private work during his time as Commissioner.
Asked about his ministers' asset declarations, Muscat did not give any indication of changing the system of declaring wealth and income. Pressed about whether ministers should also present their tax declarations, Muscat said the system had worked well in the past, "even though some ministers forgot to declare their Swiss accounts" - a reference to former investments minister Austin Gatt.
During his visit to the Playmobil factory, Muscat expressed his concern that fewer youths were considering manufacturing as a career option.
"To us the manufacturing industry is no last resort but a good career choice with good job prospects," Muscat said.
"We've had manufacturing companies employing thousands in Malta but complaining of the lack of trained individuals due to a skills mismatch. A few years ago, the Union Haddiema Maqghudin suggested an employability index to guide people as to what job they could get according to what subjects they study. This is something we should take on board to prevent this skills mismatch."
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even though i dont like the man, JD will do a good job. This time round he has no votes to fish for or take care of and most of all he needs to prove himself. I think he will manage to do so.
Emmanuel Mallia •
"DO NOT PRETEND OUR HEALTH SERVICES TO REMAIN FREE" These words still echoes, from the then minister !
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I am sure that Mr Dalli can do a good job which any previous Health Minister (Doctor by profession) did ever have the guts to do. Dalli irid jirfes il-kallijiet u jaqta fil-laham il-haj tat-tobba u l-professjonisti ta' Mater Dei. Minister Farrugia did not have the guts to do it, that's why they commissioned somebody else to do it . A good job means loss of votes. Will the Minister or the Prime Minister implement the recommendations John Dalli will make?
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"even though some ministers forgot to declare their Swiss accounts" Joseph Muscat,don't you think that some Ministers, Meps and or court officials are getting the same sickness, that of a lapse of memory? If you think that these people committed a crime then take them all to court and let the courts decide their fate. I have to admit that it is very hard to believe that a minister forgot to declare thousands of euros that he had deposited in a foreign bank. it is also very hard to believe that one of our Meps was caught in a scandal and then again flies to the Bahamas on a private Jet and stayed in a rented villa rented for $8000.00 dollars a month by his daughter while performing pro bono a service for the African People involving millions of dollars. And yet in spite of that you decided to employ Mr Dalli and his daughter to oversee the books at Mater Dei. Isn't that just like putting the wolf in charge of the chicken coop? Igbed l-iehor Guz. Is this how one hand washes the other? It is pathetic what politicians are capable of. Some think they are above the law.
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"even though some ministers forgot to declare their Swiss accounts" Joseph Muscat,don't you think that some Ministers, Meps and or court officials are getting the same sickness, that of a lapse of memory? If you think that these people committed a crime then take them all to court and let the courts decide their fate. I have to admit that it is very hard to believe that a minister forgot to declare thousands of euros that he had deposited in a foreign bank. it is also very hard to believe that one of our Meps was caught in a scandal and then again flies to the Bahamas on a private Jet and stayed in a rented villa rented for $8000.00 dollars a month by his daughter while performing pro bono a service for the African People involving millions of dollars. And yet in spite of that you decided to employ Mr Dalli and his daughter to oversee the books at Mater Dei. Isn't that just like putting the wolf in charge of the chicken coop? Igbed l-iehor Guz. Is this how one hand washes the other? It is pathetic what politicians are capable of. Some think they are above the law.
Paul Pandolfino •
He should know. He formed part of the previous Administration and as gentlemen he should shoulder part of this disaster. There was a time when Mater Dei was praised as STATE OF THE ART HOSPITAL. And John was proud at that time. What made him change his opinion now. Was Mater Dei not draining millions at that time.
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So, who is actually PAYING the wages of Dalli's daughter at this office. If Dalli's daughter needs office space, she can use Dalli's office in Port Tomaso. Another murky sideline takes form. How anyone can trust this man is beyond belief.
