Melvyn Mangion, communications coordinator, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Valletta
Ministry's travel expenditure
With reference to the Audit Report published by the National Audit Office (NAO) the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would like to make the following clarifications:
(i) This report refers to the expenditure incurred two years ago during the year ending December 31, 2006.
(ii) While every effort was made to keep within the allocated budget, the country's international commitments in 2006 imposed an increase in travel which had not been reflected in the budget allocation of this Ministry for that year. The fact that there was an excess expenditure in that particular year does not necessarily mean that the money spent was spent without good cause or reason or in an unjustified, excessive manner. Suffice it to recall that during that particular year Malta was chair-in-office of the Commonwealth.
(iii) The various concerns and weaknesses pinpointed by the Auditor General have since been rectified. Steps have been taken and internal procedures have been put into place so as to ensure that more and better control on travel expenditure is implemented by this Ministry.
(iv) The Audit Report can give the impression to the layman that this Ministry has spent money which was not part of its allocation.
It is good to point out that any additional budget that this Ministry used was approved and given to us by the Ministry of Finance according to standard governmental procedure after a request was made by this Ministry justifying such extra expenditure.
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Joe Tabone-Adami
Oct 1st 2008, 15:45
Where were the Ministry's Permanent Secretary and Director of Corporate Services? It is they - and the former in particular - who have to control the Ministry's purse-strings, and sometimes against heavy odds. Or was it a pattern of "Ahleb, Mike" and of "Yes, Minister". I know from personal experience that being a "yes-man" - which I was not - is very likely to gather you friends in the corridors of power.
mario mifsud
Oct 1st 2008, 10:01
to M.Mangion
I see you failed to illuminate us humans regarding if any measures were taken against someone for this incompetency. Of course the answer is NOTHING
Re Documentation supporting travel abroad was at times incomplete and unclear. It is common practice from the beginning of accountancy that receipts and other documentation is a Must. Did we have to wait till 2006 and for an audit report to take the foll. action ? "Steps have been taken and internal procedures have been put into place so as to ensure that more and better control on travel expenditure is implemented by this Ministry"
What was being done before that? Are we to believe that these things had always been happening before? I don't think so. No this is just another lamely excuse for people at the ministry to do as they please at the taxpayers expense. The fact that no one has paid for this malpractice is enough proof of the HYPOCRISY that exists in our govt. depts.