The new ministers and parliamentary secretaries stand behind Prime Minister Joseph Muscat after taking their oath of office at the Palace in Valletta. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiThe new ministers and parliamentary secretaries stand behind Prime Minister Joseph Muscat after taking their oath of office at the Palace in Valletta. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Former Cabinet members Godfrey Farrugia and Franco Mercieca still have a role to play in the government, the Prime Minister said.

Dr Farrugia resigned as health minister after turning down an offer to take up social solidarity and Mr Mercieca had asked not to be considered for a Cabinet post in the reshuffle.

But after the swearing-in ceremony of the new ministers and parliamentary secretaries at the Palace, in Valletta, yesterday, Joseph Muscat did not rule out future roles for both.

“I would have liked Godfrey Farrugia to stay in the Cabinet and I hope this will be the case in the future,” Dr Muscat said, praising the “groundwork” Dr Farrugia had done.

With Mr Mercieca returning to his ophthalmic profession, Dr Muscat said he envisaged a health-related role in Gozo for the surgeon.

Justifying his decision to include health in Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi’s portfolio, Dr Muscat said the sector required a stronger managerial perspective.

“Most of the problems the health sector faces are not of a medical nature such as the issue of out-of-stock medicines, which is a problem of inventory management,” he said.

Deflecting criticism that Dr Mizzi’s portfolio was huge, the Prime Minister said a lot had been achieved in the energy sector in one year and Chris Fearne would be helping out as health parliamentary secretary.

“In the energy sector, the next big priority is to achieve stability in the prices of petrol and diesel,” he said.

Dr Muscat clarified that Labour MP Carmelo Abela’s role in the Office of the Prime Minister would be of a spokesman who would brief the media on the government’s decisions.

Addressing scepticism that the reshuffle may have come too early in the legislature, Dr Muscat said the decision was partially dictated by the appointment of a new President and the nomination of a European Commissioner.

But change was “an essential part of life” and it would not stop there, he added.

The newly promoted ministers and parliamentary secretaries were sworn in by President George Abela in the presence of their families.

New appointments*

Ministers
Owen Bonnici – justice, culture and local government
Edward Zammit Lewis – tourism
Michael Farrugia – social solidarity

Parliamentary secretaries
Justyne Caruana – elderly and disabled
Chris Agius – sport and research
Chris Fearne – health
Michael Falzon – planning and simplification of bureaucracy

*Ministers and parliamentary secretaries who retained their position but had their portfolios changed did not need to take an oath.

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