Transparent inquiry into EU funds saga

The recent publication of the report of the board of inquiry - set up by the Prime Minister on May 20 to look into the way EU funds available for our students to pursue further studies throughout Europe were "mismanaged" by officials inside the Ministry of Education - is remarkable for a number of reasons.

It is proper to state at the outset that this was an "internal" inquiry briefed to investigate alleged crass conduct on the part of a few senior public or civil servants, which led to the "suspension" of EU funds benefiting a fair number of Maltese students, as a result of which many young men and women have been disaffected and a few opposition spokesmen have been making political hay.

The 19-page report, unlike the outcome of many similar "internal" inquiries, is no mere whitewash of the establishment. In fact it stands out as a thorough, no nonsense objective investigation, pursued with expedition and efficiency and coming to a clear, concise conclusion. One hopes that a remedy will be found to enable our students to go on enjoying the advantages of belonging to the EU and also that the officials concerned have learnt a thing or two.

The report certainly is not convincing on all points, such as at what level the buck should stop. However, one is heartened by the frank, transparent manner the Office of the Prime Minister has dealt with the problem.