Mepa told of appointment of Environment Commissioner after Ombudsman had informed Falzon
Mepa had no say at all in the appointment of the Environment Commissioner and was only informed that it was being set up next week after the Ombudsman informed auditor Joe Falzon.
Addressing a media briefing this morning, Mepa chief executive Ian Stafrace took umbrage at Mr Falzon’s comments that someone from Mepa should have informed him beforehand that his office would come to an end abruptly next week.
But Mepa, Dr Stafrace said, got to know of the decision only after the Ombudsman had informed Mr Falzon – so it could not have informed him.
He noted, that athough the legal notice that set up the new office under the ombudsman was published, the old article in the planning law that set up the auditor’s office has not been repealed. This meant that the office had not yet been officially abolished.
Dr Stafrace said he was informed of the development on Thursday and he proposed to the Ombudsman a transition period during which Mr Falzon would remain in office, a proposal the ombudsman seemed to welcome. Mr Falzon also knew that some form of transition was being discussed
He said that he should be having a meeting with Mr Falzon this week.
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13 Comments
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Edmond Micallef
Jul 30th 2012, 17:52
Adding insult to injury.
Jay Oatmon
Jul 30th 2012, 17:27
The arrogance of these top government appointed people never ceases to amaze me.
Common decency is not even a consideration in the way they do business with a colleague - and they expect us the public to trust them to do the right thing - no chance!
Joseph Camilleri
Jul 30th 2012, 16:30
The law says that the Environment Commissioner is to be nominated by government in agreement with opposition. If the two do not agree, then the ombudsman gets to decide. Did the PL agree to the nomination of Perit David Pace? Cos of it did....then how come all this fuss about someone who knew his time was up and had been hankering to leave in every interview?
Victor Laiviera
Jul 30th 2012, 17:27
No, Mr Camilleri, it has been clearly stated that the Ombudsman was informed there was no agreement between the Government and the opposition.
The Ombudsman is free to make his choice - and I see no reason why he cannot choose Mr Falzon.
Joseph Camilleri
Jul 30th 2012, 22:10
@Laiviera
Really, you cannot!? I wonder why?
Edward Mallia
Jul 30th 2012, 16:09
Let's for once give Ian Stafrace the benefit of the considerable doubt that must attach to his statement that MEPA had no information on the TIMING of the setting up of the new commissioner's office. But then we must also accept that he can only make suggestions which the Ombudsman may or may not take any notice of. In any case, there is a slight hint that the public rumpus may have had some effect.
Mr ALBERT LEONE GANADO
Jul 30th 2012, 20:42
If MEPA got to know of the impending appointment of a new environment commissioner even later than Joe Falzon then the complete lack of transparency which characterizes our state institutions has also reached the office of the ombudsman .This should be the very institution to ensure that public appointments are fulfilled in the most transparent and consensual way to satisfy any public doubts. Ideally there should have been agreement between the two sides of parliament but in the absence of this desired resolution at the very least I would have expected the ombudsman to consult widely in particular with MEPA, the building industry, the environment NGOs and perhaps also with Joe Falzon the person with the most experience and qualifications for such an assessment. I would also have expected (unless he tried and failed) the ombudsman to take the role of mediator to try to identify a commissioner mutually agreeable to both political parties .
Mr J Xerri
Jul 30th 2012, 15:54
MEPA ".was only informed that it was being set up next week after the Ombudsman informed auditor Joe Falzon.@ "the old article in the planning law that set up the auditor’s office has not been repealed. This meant that the office had not yet been officially abolished." As we say in Maltese "Min ihawwad fil-borma jaf x'fiha!!!"
joe vella
Jul 30th 2012, 15:50
so mr falzon, whose employment fell under the MEPA umbrella, was informed that his office was coming to an abrupt end by the Ombudsman
MEPA's CEO denies any knowledge of the closure and got his information from the media!
well if I were Mr Stafrace I would go to the minister and hand in my resignation, he was treated worse than the caretaker! If Mr Stafrace wants to take umbrage he ought to direct it to his superiors, somebody must have told the Ombudsman to send for Mr Falzon and break the news.
If this is the way that things are being done in this country, no wonder we are in such an administrative mess
this is similar to some ex ministers getting paid off via an sms!
Victor Laiviera
Jul 30th 2012, 15:40
Why not go for the simpler option and appoint Mr Falzon as Environment Commissioner straightaway?
Charles J. Buttigieg
Jul 30th 2012, 16:14
Victor,the answer to your question is an obvious one.
Philip Hili
Jul 31st 2012, 00:23
@ Victor Laiviera
It sounds a bit fishy for insisting that this gentleman be appointed Environment Commissioner straight away!
F. Scicluna
Jul 30th 2012, 12:05
minn ihawwad l-aktar
Please choose the reason of your report below: