Two new faces in 13-member cabinet

Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami yesterday appointed a cabinet of 13 members which includes two new faces and some changes in ministerial portfolios.

Four MPs were also appointed parliamentary secretaries for the first time during the swearing in ceremony presided by President Guido de Marco at the Palace, in Valletta.

The new ministers are George Pullicino, responsible for rural affairs and environment, and Jesmond Mugliett, who takes up a new ministry, for youth and arts.

Former infrastructure and resources minister Francis Zammit Dimech was appointed tourism minister, a post vacated by Michael Refalo, who was not re-elected, while former Agriculture Minister Ninu Zammit takes over from Dr Zammit Dimech.

Austin Gatt, justice and local government minister in the previous administration, takes up the new post of investment and IT minister. He will also have responsibility for all government corporations.

Lawrence Gonzi has retained his post as Deputy Prime Minister and minister of social policy. Taking office in the same building will be two new faces - Dolores Cristina and Frans Agius - who were appointed parliamentary secretaries.

Louis Galea will remain education minister and Censu Galea retains transport and communications.

The popular Giovanna Debono remains Gozo minister, Joe Borg foreign minister and Louis Deguara has ministerial responsibility for health.

Tonio Borg is now also responsible for justice as well as home affairs and he will be assisted by Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, a new parliamentary secretary.

John Dalli's portfolio has added responsibilities, as he will now be responsible for finance and economic affairs.

He will be assisted by two parliamentary secretaries: Edwin Vassallo and Tony Abela, another fresh face.

Speaking to reporters shortly after the ceremony, the prime minister said he felt his new cabinet was adapted to the needs of today's government.

"Thanks to this team, I believe the country will move ahead and grasp the opportunities awaiting us."

Asked whether there was still room for one seasoned politician, such as former minister Josef Bonnici, who could still be elected in a casual election, Dr Fenech Adami said:

"I took into consideration the MPs I have available at this particular moment. But this does not mean that those who are elected in casual elections will not be given important functions."

One surprise during yesterday's swearing in ceremony was the absence of parliamentary secretary Antoine Mifsud Bonnici, who was replaced by Dr (Frans) Agius.

Dr Fenech Adami said he was very grateful for the sterling work carried out by Dr Mifsud Bonnici over the past 11 years. "But naturally one creates a ministry according to the circumstances," he said.

Mr Mugliett said each government had to show it was renewing itself and this was what Dr Fenech Adami had done with the formation of the new cabinet.

He said the fact that the government had appointed a minister responsible solely for culture and the arts proved that the government wanted to give priority to these sectors.

Dr Zammit Dimech said he would remain responsible for the capital projects currently taking place which are linked directly to tourism.

"Tourism is the most important pillar of the economy which makes it a very strong and interesting challenge for me. I am obviously looking forward to it."

Mr Pullicino said he was grateful for the responsibility entrusted to him by the prime minister. "My ministry requires a lot of coordination with others and I am sure we will work well together."

Dr Mifsud Bonnici said he looked forward to making a contribution to the justice and home affairs ministry. He paid tribute to his minister, Tonio Borg, whom he described as an asset to government.

Ms Cristina was visibly delighted with her appointment. "I can't wait to get going. We have a lot of work to do. The social policy ministry is something I hold very close to heart," she said.

Attorney General Anthony Borg Barthet said when asked there was no need for the current leader of the opposition to be sworn in as he had retained the same position.

Portfolios

Prime Minister, Eddie Fenech Adami
Public Service
Planning and Priorities Coordination
Oil Exploration
Information
Government Printing Press
Central Information Management Unit
Management Efficiency Unit
Armed Forces
Malta Council for Economic and Social Development

Deputy Prime Minister, Social Policy Minister and Leader of the House of Representatives, Lawrence Gonzi
Coordination of Inter-Ministerial Initiatives
Parliamentary Affairs
Social Policy
Family Welfare
Women in Society
Social Security
Elderly and Community Services
Social Housing
Industrial and Employment Relations

Parliamentary Secretaries
Dolores Cristina
Frans Agius

Minister of Education, Louis Galea
Education
Employment and Training
Libraries and Archives
Science and Technology Policy

Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, John Dalli
Finance Budget Office
The Treasury
Inland Revenue
Indirect Taxation
Customs and Excise
Contracts
Privatisation
Financial Regulation
Malta Enterprise
Economic Development Policy
Small Business and the Self Employed
Import and Export Trade
Competition Policy
Consumer Protection
Malta Standards Authority
Industrial Property
Malta Statistics Authority

Parliamentary Secretaries
Edwin Vassallo
Anthony Abela

Minister for Tourism, Francis Zammit Dimech
Tourism
Coordination of Urban Development Projects

Minister for Transport and Communications, Censu Galea
Civil Aviation
Malta Maritime Authority
Malta Transport Authority
Malta Communications Authority
Wireless Telegraphy

Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, Tonio Borg
Attorney General's Office
Courts of Justice
Local Government
Police
Immigration
Airport Security
Prisons
Passports
ID Cards
Citizenship and Expatriate Affairs
Lands
Joint Office
Notary to Government
Public Registry
Land Registry

Parliamentary Secretary
Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici

Minister for Resources and Infrastructure, Ninu Zammit
Malta Resources Authority
Building Industry Consultative Council
Manufacturing and Servicing
Construction and Maintenance
Public Cleansing
Waste Management Strategy Implementation

Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono
Gozo Affairs

Minister of Health, Louis Deguara
Health

Minister for Information Technology and Investment, Austin Gatt
Government Investments
Air Malta p.l.c.
Maltacom p.l.c.
Malta International Airport p.l.c.
Drydocks and Shipbuilding
Water Services Corporation
Enemalta Corporation
Malta Freeport Corporation
Public Broadcasting Services
Information and Communications Technology
Data Protection

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Joe Borg
Relations with European Union

Relations with Foreign and Commonwealth Countries
Relations with International Institutions

Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, George Pullicino
Rural Development
Agriculture
Horticulture
Fisheries
Aquaculture
Environment
Malta Environment and Planning Authority

Minister for Youth and the Arts, Jesmond Mugliett
Youth
Sport
The Arts
Theatres and Mediterranean Conference Centre
Cultural Heritage

Addresses of Ministries

Office of the Prime Minister
Auberge de Castille
Valletta CMR02

Ministry for Social Policy
Palazzo Ferreria
310 Republic Street
Valletta CMR02

Ministry of Education
Great Siege Road
Floriana CMR02

Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs
Auberge d'Aragon
Independence Square
Valletta CMR02

Ministry for Tourism
Auberge d'Italie
Merchants Street
Valletta CMR02

Ministry for Transport and Communications
House of the Four Winds
Hastings Gardens
Valletta CMR02

Ministry for Justice and Home Affairs
Casa Leoni
St Joseph High Road
Santa Venera CMR02

Ministry for Resources and Infrastructure
Block B
Floriana CMR02

Ministry for Gozo
St Francis Square
Victoria, Gozo

Ministry of Health
Palazzo Castellania
Merchants Street
Valletta CMR02

Ministry of Information Technology and Investment
168, Strait Street
Valletta CMR02

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Palazzo Parisio
Merchants Street
Valletta CMR02

Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment
Barriera Wharf
Valletta CMR02

Ministry for Youth and the Arts
Cavalier House
158, Old Mint Square
Valletta CMR02