Speaking Maltese in Brussels

I refer to Joseph Eynaud's comments (June 1).

Prof. Eynaud states that Maltese MEPs should decide "once and for all" which language to speak in. He then went on to state that "Consistency would make us more credible with the EU institutions".

I have long taken a clear decision on all this. I deliver all my plenary speeches in Maltese. I do not do the same in committees simply because no interpretation services are available.

Prof. Eynaud referred to an instance when I used Italian to address Commissioner Franco Frattini but failed to explain the context. My intervention then was not a speech but simply a supplementary question prompted by Mr Frattini's oral reply to a PQ on illegal immigration by one of my colleagues. I had not informed the Maltese interpreters about my intervention (as we are rightly asked to do) since I was not planning to speak. Also, I was aware of the problems with the system and the constraints regarding working hours. Thus, I opted to put the short question to Mr Frattini directly in his mother tongue.

This does not in any way excuse the European Parliament from the serious shortcoming during the most recent plenary session in Brussels. I alerted the parliamentary interpretation service about my speech as the author of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee's Opinion on the Anti-Money Laundering Directive and have an acknowledgement from their part confirming the receipt of my speech. Thus, it was unacceptable that I was informed only once I started speaking that I could not continue my speech in Maltese. All this must be taken in the context that we were assured of an interpretation service during the plenary sessions.

My criticism was not directed towards Maltese interpreters, something I think Prof. Eynaud knows well.

My refusal to continue with my intervention was to make a point that nobody will take us for a ride and that a minimum level of service must be provided, as we were promised. I really think that some bureaucrat in the European Parliament was testing our tolerance level as Maltese representatives.

My point was even taken up by the Socialist Group and the chairman of the Internal Market Committee, Philip Whitehead, during the bureau meeting. Thus, an initial result was achieved.

Finally, I must say that I am concerned with what Prof. Eynaud said regarding the local bureaucratic problems that are hindering the commencement of an interpretation course for which the EU has allocated funds. I will take up this case in the European Parliament.