Air Malta issue ‘extremely sensitive’
Investment Minister Tonio Fenech yesterday asked the opposition not to continue pressing him for information on the Air Malta restructuring negotiations at this stage because the issue was most sensitive. Any information made public could be used against the airline.
In a 20-minute question and answer on the issue, the minister stood his ground saying that the issue was commercially sensitive and any information he would give would only harm the airline. Moreover, there was a confidentiality agreement between the government and the European Commission on the process. He had therefore decided not to answer any parliamentary question – in whole or in part – on Air Malta.
Gavin Gulia said his original question on who were the foreign advisers drawing up reports on the national airline was of public interest because the company was government-controlled. The government had lent it €52 million. The minister said it should not be him to choose for the company which information was commercially sensitive or not.
Dr Gulia said during the last three months more than 20 foreign advisers had been asked to draw up reports.
Alfred Sant asked whether the sensitivity emanated from Air Malta’s commercial situation or from the EC’s analysis of the state aid the airline could receive. The latter could never be of a confidential nature and the minister should and must give an account to Parliament.
Mr Fenech said that advisers were appointed both on the restructuring report on state aid which must be sent to the Commission. Such aspects were technical and specialised and warranted legal advice. There were also aspects related to the airline’s operations.
The minister said there was an EC process on how the information received by the Commission regarding state aid would be published. If prematurely divulged it could be detrimental to the airline.
Mr Fenech said it was expected that the EC decision would be contested by other foreign airlines. Any information divulged before the process was complete would give a head start to such airlines on the points they should attack the Commission when presenting their objections.
Mr Fenech said that he had agreed with EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia that they should start the formal process, thus opening the door to objections. The Commission could have approved the report risking that objectors would then revert to the European Court of Justice.
Questions were also asked by Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat, Anġlu Farrugia, Alfred Sant and Leo Brincat.
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Mr Angus Black
Oct 11th 2011, 14:04
When the LP return to power, I am convinced that all the details of any intricate negotiation will be thoroughly and freely discussed with its Opposition.
Hallina Guz. When you become PM, if ever, can one be assured of complete disclosure? You will not even reveal what your policies are but have the cheek to tell the voters to wait until the very last moment or elect you first and find out later!
Go grow up.
Mr Victor vella
Oct 11th 2011, 15:19
You are one of those who put your head in the sand to get away with the reality of filth this government filled this nation after 25 years of arrogance and incompetency. For the disclosure of truth go and ask employees at Air Malta and there is no cheek to tell the voters to wait until the very last moment or elect you first and find out later!
How you are saying other to grow up when your mind in dumped in the sand. hallina l-iswed
Mr Victor vella
Oct 11th 2011, 10:56
Yes, Sur Ministru the opposition and the workers at Air Malta want to know what is cooking on at the company. If you were in the opposition you have sent a rain of letters to Air Malta employees saying to them the very bad state that the LP brought the company and even in the matter dwell democracy as you Sur Ministru used to do in the past. Where is democracy now? What happened to Air Malta is all your fault and those who were before you making a political ball out of Air Malta. How sensitive is the issue? A few days ago you told us that Air Malta is on the right track, the same words that your boss Gonzi the hypo told Air Malta employees before the last election, and a few months after the General Next election, precisely last November you told Air Malta employees that the company is bankrupt. Who is lying you young boy or your boss? Tell Air Malta employees that your regime has brought the company on its knees to irreparable ends to satiate your political glut and to remain attached to power. If there is any iota of trust in you and your regime that want to truly save Air Malta you do not continue to drag your feet and ensure a quick turnaround to restructure from scratch the damage that you and your government have done to Air Malta. That is why that from Air Malta cash flow you are issuing millions of euros to consultants to ensure a quick turnaround and to begin restructuring the walls that you have brought to the ground. Time is telling us that you have taken the bad decisions by continuing to put Air Malta issue to a more sensitive and boiled waters. Now you are showing to the world your incompetence that with the cwiec Maltin things could have been the same with less money and not continue to explode the walls that will put all Air Malta employees under the rubble of dust and hypocrisy.
mario gellel
Oct 11th 2011, 09:29
HOW NICE HUX ?? THE MESS THAT PN DID IN AIRMALTA IS NOW NOT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
AS IF MALTA IS A ONE STATE POLITICAL PARTY. ARROGANZA PRIMA KLASSI.
victor caruana
Oct 11th 2011, 08:46
Why doen't minister Fenech EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia whether he can use the same criteria as that used by the Belgian Government when buying and nationalising the Belgian section of Dexia Bank. Some animals are more equal than others....