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.