Prime Minister Joseph Muscat insists the ministerial code of ethics is being respected even though two Cabinet members, both medical doctors, continue to see patients.

The code states Cabinet members are not permitted to carry out any other work even if they are not paid

Taking questions after visiting a software company in Mosta yesterday, Dr Muscat said he disagreed that Cabinet members were ignoring the code of ethics even though it categorically states they are not permitted to carry out any other work even if they are not paid.

“I don’t agree at all... The code is being respected,” he said, adding that it was drawn up in 1994, “when mobile phones hardly existed”, and now had to be updated.

Code of ethics is to be updated

The Government had, from the beginning of this legislature, said it wanted to update the code but while the process is ongoing, ministers are bound by the only guidelines in force today. Parliamentary Secretary Franco Mercieca, an eye specialist, and Foreign Minister George Vella, a family doctor, have both ad-mitted seeing patients after joining Cabinet.

Mr Mercieca was granted a special waiver by Dr Muscat to continue working in a limited way in his field. He works for free in the public hospital but is paid for services in the private sector.

Dr Vella was not given a waiver but Dr Muscat has justified the Żejtun doctor’s actions. He explained that Dr Vella continued seeing constituents as part of his constituency work at his clinic.

Some people also asked for medical advice and Dr Vella could not refuse them treatment. Any such work was not remunerated, Dr Muscat had said.

No timeframe has been set for the code to be revised. Dr Muscat said yesterday this could not be done in five weeks but work on the changes was ongoing.

“I don’t think I should indicate what changes should be made but we have to make it workable in an evolved world,” Dr Muscat said, adding it would be discussed in public when ready.

ksansone@timesofmalta.com