Gonzi lambasts Mepa auditor for 'shameful' comments

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi criticised comments on a court ruling made by the planning authority's audit officer, Joe Falzon, saying these were "shameful" because he had not asked for explanations but just jumped to a conclusion.

"I didn't like the auditor's comment. Through his comment he was contradicting the court's decision," Dr Gonzi said yesterday.

Mr Falzon has disagreed with a recent court ruling that meetings between members of the Development Control Commission and developers were "normal practice" and instead said such meetings were illegal.

During a radio interview, Dr Gonzi lashed out at Mr Falzon, saying his comments and the controversy these created was "extra".

The auditor's job was to ensure that the role of Malta Environment and Planning Authority was correct according to the law. "This means the auditor has great responsibility and cannot make certain statements... that there is corruption," Dr Gonzi said.

The Magistrates' Court last week cleared two former DCC members of exercising a private interest in the adjudicating process of the application for an open-air disco in Mistra. Meetings between DCC members and developers were meant to iron out issues between the two, the court said.

However, Mr Falzon disagreed with the ruling, saying the meetings were "illegal" because the planning law clearly stated that all DCC meetings must be held in public.

Dr Gonzi pointed out that Mr Falzon should have taken legal advice before speaking out.

If a decision was not explained, a professional should ask for one instead of simply assuming corruption was the only solution, Dr Gonzi said. "It is very wrong."

The auditor had to understand his statements had "great moral, ethical and legal implications". He had to seek legal advice before making certain statements in order to make sure he was following the principle of natural justice, Dr Gonzi said.

Speaking about the water and electricity rates, which are due to increase again, Dr Gonzi said people and businesses wanted stability in tariffs to be able to plan ahead. Reviewing the tariffs every six months did not allow people to plan ahead but stabilising the rates involved a certain amount of risk. Dr Gonzi explained that oil could be bought in advance for a certain price, at a premium, but nothing could be done if the price dropped.

Specifying that he was not referring to hedging, Dr Gonzi said the government was having talks with experts to see whether there was a way to ensure such stability. The real secret to cut the electricity bills was to use energy-saving measures.