PM surprised by questions on Education Ministry
The Prime Minister yesterday reacted with surprise to questions about the political responsibility of Education Minister Dolores Cristina for the suspension of EU educational funds.
"I wonder why this question keeps coming up. The report clearly shows that the issue was not escalated to the political level. It's written black on white," Dr Gonzi said, arguing that civil servants involved in the matter failed to draw the minister's attention in time.
He was referring to the findings of an inquiry which he had called after the European Commission last month decided to suspend €4 million in study funds, leaving almost 600 students unable to attend educational exchanges.
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi insists Mrs Cristina was kept in the dark and should not be held responsible. "I have nothing to add," Dr Gonzi said.
The comment came as the Labour Party renewed its call for Mrs Cristina to resign.
Coincidentally, Dr Gonzi was yesterday visiting another paying agency tasked with distributing EU funds to farmers, where he showered them with praise as a serious and efficient agency of which he was "very proud".
In a reference to the suspension of the funds, Dr Gonzi said recent events proved how easy it was to fall short of the stringent requirements of the European Commission when it came to distributing funds.
The PL said the suspension was a result of mismanagement in Mrs Cristina's ministry, so the only dignified move would be to shoulder the political responsibility. "The government is giving the worst example because, while it wants its officials to take responsibility... it doesn't want its ministers to shoulder their political responsibility, enabling them to do what they want without any fear of being held accountable."
An online poll on timesofmalta.com indicates that public opinion is with the PL on this one, with more than 77 per cent of the 1,330 online respondents saying Mrs Cristina should resign.
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Anthony Mizzi
Jun 9th 2010, 19:19
Quote- Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi insists Mrs. Cristina was kept in the dark and should not be held responsible. "I have nothing to add," Dr Gonzi said. - Unquote
Maybe Dr. Gonzi should have provided Ms. Cristina some energy-saving light bulbs to put some light on the matter!
It is also a wonder why of Education Minister Dolores Cristina’s son, Alessandro, who is the programme manager of the Life Long Learning in Malta kept mum and never hinted to his Mum that the European Commission intended to stop funds to the Ministry of Education
J Martinelli
Jun 9th 2010, 15:34
@ ecortis
There is a difference between 'neglect of duty' and an 'alleged criminal activity'. In connection with the latter, as soon as the PM was informed, he immediately referred the matter to the Police authorities.
Neglect of duty is usually tacked within the department concerned since it is not a criminal matter.
Anthony Mizzi
Jun 9th 2010, 19:21
Who asked for your Canadian support for Minister Cristina?
Joseph Grech
Jun 9th 2010, 20:44
Mr. Martinelli
So you would have our Ministers act in the irresponsible and despicable manner exercised by Ms. Cristina....just because ''neglect of duty is not usually a criminal matter.''
Yes indeed it is as you say: ''when the PM was informed, he immediately referred the matter to the Police authorities.''
He hasn't sacked Ms. Cristina or accused her of gross neglect of duty has he? He just keeps inventing all kinds of irresponsible lame excuses.
By his actions the P.M. is practically telling his Ministers: Hey , don't be worried if something really serious happens at your Ministry which puts our administration and Malta in very bad light. You have my word that I won't chuck you out of your Ministry....ALWAYS PROVIDED that you just won't know about what goes on there....TAKE MS. DOLORES CRISTINA AS YOUR ROLE MODEL!''.
Mr. Martinelli do you really want this sort of thing to happen? Cause it is happening right now. Admit it. But remove your Political Blinkers first!
Gianninu Saliba
Jun 9th 2010, 14:45
So the PL expect the Education Minister to resign because the civil servants involved in the matter failed to draw the minister's attention in time. The PL said the suspension was a result of mismanagement in Mrs Cristina's ministry, so the only dignified move would be to shoulder the political responsibility. Does this mean that the PL are accusing Mintoff and KMB who were responsible for the police when they were Prime Ministers of fgross mismanagement as they both should have resigned a hundred and one times each... everytime the police ignored the political violence of the 70s and 80s. Are the new and not so new PL leaders stating that the MLP in government should be condemned for their actions or rather lack there of, when some people were allowed to import colour TV when their importation was illegal? Was the Socialist minister responsible for the Broadcasting Authority supposed to have resigned about a million times for not ensuring broadcasting impartiality? How many Socialist Ministers, plus the Prime Minister should have resigned when private property was taken from its rightful owners to become MLP Clubs. But no this last point does not constitute an error... it was sheer corruption
Joseph Grech
Jun 9th 2010, 20:26
Gianninu - you really are living in the 80s and 90s aren't you? Cut out the crap man. Get yourself up to date with the present. Take off your Politcal Blinkers. Comment with the good of the nation at heart....not to please political masters!
Stop searching in the deepest corners to try to make this administration look credible. Credible? Dolores Cristina's serious unaccountability ....and the irresponsible backing she is getting from the Hon. P.M. have shorne away whatever credibility this administration might have had left.
The really bad thing is that the P.M. fails to understand that much. He is dealing the P.N. a lethal blow with his lame excuses for Cristina and his (usual) hard-headedness.
leo attard
Jun 9th 2010, 14:18
Hon. PM....with all due respect stop using the same excuse to justify a 'political or administrative boo-boo'. It does not inspire confidence when the public keeps hearing 'ignorance' as the excuse and/ or justification of some error -- i refer to your saying that you sign documents that you haven't read; Mrs. Christina she was 'in the dark' as were you when there was that talk of corruption with the marina-privitization and everyone at the OPM knew about it except you ----- the public is not stupid! the general feeling is that there is no sense of accountability! And the 'three blind mice' that resigned are no more than sacrificial lambs who will more than likely end up with better positions outside the arena
J Micallef
Jun 9th 2010, 13:59
It is shameful for the Time to quote an online poll, which is not a scientific poll at all. Konwing how the Labour elves operate on the net, it is quite easily to assume who voted on this poll. And yet, the Times feels the necessity to tweak it in order to pass its hidden agenda along.
Joseph Grech
Jun 9th 2010, 12:31
Hon. Prime Minister - Ms Cristina should resign. She was inefficient and irresponsible in the administation of E.U. taxpayer money. Deep down you must understand that as much as anybody else in this corrupt country of ours!
Cristina's declaring she ''did not know'' what was going on is disgraceful. Sadly, your own stance in this issue is equally irresponsible. Throw Ms. Cristina out immediately. That's what political responsibility is all about. That's what all the Blah, Blah, Blah about political accountability (by yourself and others) before the last election was all about.
Unbelievably you put Cabinet camraderie before National Interests...that's BAD!
Sorry but you are doing Malta - and the P.N. a grave disservice.
As for Malta's permanent representative to the European Union, Richard Cachia Caruana he too should shoulder part of the blame for what happened - he should have made it his business to know what was happening but he seems to have fallen asleep in his high chair also.
Now, Minister Cristina has gone to Brussels to ask forgiveness! How disgraceful! The P.N. need to chuck her out of her Ministry at once if they wish to look credible next time round.
Adrian Gouder
Jun 9th 2010, 12:08
Is this true? This news is close to shocking. Am I to understanding that the EU can shut down funds for whatever reason without even advising the Government about shortfalls? If this is the case then the EU must be made to change, even if only for the sake of guaranteeing continuity. Before shutting down such services, the EU's last resort should be to communicate its concerns in writing to the Hon. Minister responsible, giving him/her the time to rectify or justify prior to taking a final stand.
MEPs your action is required here.
Ramon Casha
Jun 9th 2010, 11:49
"...civil servants involved in the matter failed to draw the minister's attention in time."
In that case, minister Cristina is responsible for not ensuring that she was kept informed. Remember: "the buck stops here".
The excuse given can be used to justify anything. "Oh sure, department X was rife with corruption but the minister didn't know about it so we'll just find a smaller head to roll".
ecortis
Jun 9th 2010, 11:25
Dr.Gonzi said that civil servants involved in the matter failed to draw the minister's attention in time.........Well, isn't it the same case that happened in the Prime Minister's office at Castille ?. One of his closest civil servants and a top Minister failed to draw the PM's attention to the report of a possible illegality i.c.w the yacht yard privatisation. What's good for the goose......