The government has accepted the Ombudsman's proposal to have the administration of the beleaguered Malta Environment and Planning Authority audit office under his wing.

The Prime Minister yesterday told Ombudsman Joseph Said Pullicino, in a letter distributed to the press, that the government agreed with his proposal, urging him to implement the shift as soon as possible with regard to Mepa's audit office and the University's Ombudsman.

Given the circumstances that developed at Mepa's audit office and the fact that it was the Mepa board which asked the Ombudsman to intervene and help untangle the situation, Dr Gonzi wrote, it would be opportune that the audit office be among the first institutions. "In the future, the government might suggest other institutions for your consideration," he added.

The move, in fact, may resolve the tug-of-war which developed over the past months between the authority and the audit office over the contract renewal of investigating officer Carmel Cacopardo.

The authority has a say in the renewal of Mr Cacopardo's contract and has been trying to block his reinstatement, accusing him, among other things, of conflict of interest; a position which has been interpreted by audit officer Joseph Falzon as interference and over which he threatened to resign.

In substance, with the Ombudsman's proposal, the audit office will no longer depend on Mepa approving of its staff but will be linked in that respect to the Ombudsman.

However, besides affording the institution greater autonomy from the bodies they are meant to scrutinise, the Ombudsman had said, the move would also enhance its investigating capabilities.

The government too agreed with this point, highlighting that the move would also avoid duplication of work.