Mepa shoulders responsibility for director's appointment

The Malta Envirnment and Planning Authority said today that it has no difficulty shouldering responsibility for Petra Bianchi's appointment as Director for Environment Protection, without a public call.

In a statement, the authority said that Dr Bianchi's position was considered to be one of special trust, and the chairman and the board acted in accordance with legal advice, which was confirmed and corroborated by the Attorney General.

The authority said it also did not have a problem shouldering responsibility for the appointment of Joe Falzon as audit officer without a public call, given that his post was also considered to be of special trust.

A report by the Mr Falzon concluded that Dr Bianchi's direct appointment without a public call was irregular and not according to law.

In a statement today, MEPA said that while it was not disputed that, under normal circumstances, appointments within the public service and authorities were made by means of a public call, the law allowed the filling of posts requiring a special trust to be the need for such a call.

The authority said it had sought legal advice and its interpretation was confirmed.

A precedent had also been set with the appointment of the audit officer some six years ago. His post had also been considered to be a position of special trust and no public call was made.

Mepa said that Dr Bianchi's nomination was approved by the Mepa board on February 4.

Following this approval, Mepa wrote to the Employment and Training Corporation to obtain approval for her appointment without the need of a public call.

On February 15, the ETC gave Mepa the authority to proceed.

Mepa said it had also sought the Prime Minister's approval and this was given on February 23.

Dr Bianchi's contract of service was then signed on February 24, the authority said.