Lack of empathy

Last September 13, I sent an e-mail to Social Policy Minister John Dalli to state, among other things, that I had every reason to believe that, prior to the March 8 election, the Prime Minister wanted the plan for the extension of the Addolorata Cemetery to go ahead as expeditiously as possible due to its sensitive nature.

I assured the minister that it had never crossed my mind to undermine his highly commendable effort to develop his plan that "does justice to this architectural jewel", when I queried why the promised extension had not materialised after the election.

Mr Dalli's response ran thus: "Being a professional and not a populist, I do shoulder responsibility of taking decisions which are not popular or fit specific agendas. Naturally, you are free to make your judgment."

As a politician, Mr Dalli is a person of high profile and strong opinion and, yet, he scored poorly on empathy and right judgment. His sheer arrogance is manifest in the way he twice responded to my e-mails. Little does he realise that an empathy deficit is worse than a financial or trade deficit.

When my wife became terminally ill and her days were numbered, I reluctantly turned to my cousin for assistance - he was kindness personified. There is no doubt in my mind that all 2,500+ people who qualified for an allocation of burial site have their own story to tell. With regard to the halting of the extension work at the Addolorata Cemetery, the government's integrity and credibility are at stake.

The government has betrayed the 2,500 people who were promised a grave. Disregard by the government for keeping its word has been elevated to a new art form!

His reply to Helena Dalli's Parliamentary Questions need further scrutiny in the light of my past correspondence with the Office of the Prime Minister, the Department of Health, the Department of Public Works and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.