The productivity levels of some judges and magistrates are “unacceptable”, according to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.
Speaking to reporters in Brussels where he is attending an EU summit, Dr Muscat stressed the importance of tackling court delays that were underlined by a document being approved by EU leaders. Dr Muscat said this was the first time the European Commission pointed out that court delays could hold back economic growth.
He referred to the study by the Management Efficiency Unit, which found that the courts in Malta would take eight years to conclude the cases before them if no new ones were filed.
“Change will not please everyone but if the judiciary argues that everything has to stay as it is, it is not on. The problem will just grow,” he said.
Change will not please everyone
Dr Muscat said the productivity rates of some members of the judiciary were unacceptable and, if the ordinary man was being pushed to be more efficient, so should members of the judiciary.
“We need to lead by example,” he insisted.
He stressed that the Government would not interfere in the court’s work but would introduce changes to working practices to make the system better.
As an example, he said it did not make sense for courtrooms to remain closed because a judge or magistrate was not present.
Asked about the salaries of members of the judiciary, Dr Muscat said changes had to be discussed as part of a wider package.
He was speaking after news emerged that a deal had been struck on the EU’s seven-year budget between the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Irish presidency of the Council (see story on page 11).
Dr Muscat welcomed the deal and the fact that Malta did not lose out on any of the funds committed to it.
The EU summit taking place this week is focused on youth unemployment and job creation.
Dr Muscat said a Maltese proposal to underline the importance of self-employment in boosting youth employment had been accepted after it had been omitted from the original draft conclusions. He said it was a good thing that Malta did not qualify for the €7 billion funds committed to the youth initiative, which formed part of the EU-wide youth guarantee to provide school-leavers with jobs, education or training.
The €7 billion are reserved for countries with 25 per cent youth unemployment, while Malta has a rate of 14 per cent.
“However, we will use our own funds,” said Dr Muscat, stressing the importance of helping young people to set up their own businesses. Funds would be allocated in the next Budget for the youth guarantee and the Jobs+ initiative, which had been agreed by the social partners.
Dr Muscat also spoke about the country specific recommendations approved by EU leaders, which, for the first time, does not mention the cost of living adjustment but includes the need for urgent reform in the justice sector.
He said he also welcomed the “loose” and “open” wording with regard to pensions, which he said was “acceptable”.
On pensions, Dr Muscat said the Government’s plan was to boost female participation through free childcare, keep retirement age stable and quickly provide incentives on private pensions.
The recommendations also high-light the need for improved primary healthcare.
Turning to energy, Dr Muscat said the EU urged Malta to continue with the interconnector but also recognised the importance of the Government’s plans to liberalise the energy production sector.