Editorial

A string of shortcomings and, in some instances, outright abuse in procedures governing foreign travel by government officials confirm that the long-standing lack of accountability in the country's administration is still rampant. Despite all the politicians' talk about reforms that have been carried out in the public service over the years, this is one area where loopholes appear to be getting bigger, rather than smaller suggesting that discipline still falls far short of general expectations. This is most shameful to all who are directly responsible for this as it means waste of taxpayers' money.

A report of an inquiry into "the purchase of air tickets in connection with air travel", drawn up by the National Audit Office, gives enough examples of shortcomings to justify a call for action to stem what appears to be a breakdown in compliance with rules and regulation.

The inquiry was requested by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi in the wake of allegations that had been made against a government minister, John Dalli, in 2004. It was subsequently established that the allegations against the minister, including those over the procurement of air tickets for the foreign ministry, were false.

The report of the inquiry covers all government ministries, departments and entities. One general finding is that "low priority was given to the observance of certain conditions and procedures that regulate official travel abroad".

The NAO lists no fewer than 11 main shortcomings. The first is that air travel and accommodation arrangements were not always made through the national carrier. This means that ministries or departments did not benefit from the rebates and discounts offered by Air Malta.

All the shortcomings listed are unacceptable and ought to greatly enforce the call for the government to put its foot down once and for all. The report reveals instances, for example, where the duration of visits abroad was considered longer than necessary. Maybe those who extended their visit abroad felt they merited taking a holiday at the taxpayers' expense. Equally disconcerting is that expenses claimed were not always backed by receipted bills, and, worse, that they were not always authorised or that they were not necessarily incurred in the course of official business. It also mentions an unspecified number of cases where air fares and/or accommodation of persons accompanying delegates not in an official capacity were paid out of public funds. This is sheer abuse that ought to be stamped out immediately. The allegations against Mr Dalli - which he had forcefully denied then and have now proven false - had led to his resignation. Will nothing happen in those cases where blatant abuse has now been identified? Will this be a case of two weights and two measures?

A number of recommendations are made in the report to ensure greater efficiency, effectiveness and cost reduction. Taking a broader view, the NAO makes three proposals for an overhaul of the travel procurement procedure. The best seems to be that calling for the setting up of a central travel management unit. This would greatly reduce possibilities of abuse and ensure greater accountability of government money. There is likely to be resistance to the proposal but now that the Prime Minister has the audit office's report in hand, he should lose no time in taking what he feels is the right action to stop such blatant lack of accountability.