Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis this evening complained he had been barred by the Public Accounts Committee chairman from requesting a ruling from the Speaker on the excuse that the minutes of the previous meeting had already approved.
Public Accounts Committee chairman Tonio Fenech closed a committee meeting - held earlier in the evening - claiming that all items on the agenda had been dealt with and that the minutes of the previous meeting had been agreed to by everyone with no matters arising put forward.
One of the items was the investigation by the National Audit Office of the agreement between the General Workers’ Union and Arms Ltd regarding a concession under an emphytheusis agreement with the Lands Department.
Raising a point of order, Dr Zammit Lewis said the Auditor General could not investigate two points under the terms of reference because matters dealing with civil rights had to be dealt with by the Court.
He said the terms of reference had been sent by the Auditor General after the PAC had agreed to an Opposition request for an investigation.
The Justice Minister, Dr Zammit Lewis said, immediately written to chairman Tonio Fenech saying he objected on two points.
Dr Zammit Lewis argued that Mr Fenech was not procedurally correct in stopping him from moving the ruling. His attitude, he said, was “arrogant and unacceptable”.
He tabled the Justice Minister’s e-mails and requested a ruling on procedure as to whether he could be stopped from making his comments.
Mr Fenech said the committee’s work was directed by procedure which had been followed.
Since the minutes had been approved, no matters were raised and the item for discussion concluded with no other matters on the agenda, he closed the meeting.
He said the matter raised by Dr Zammit Lewis had been dealt with when all members approved the minutes as amended.
He said he had already let the minister raise an issue on the terms of reference regarding the investigation requested from the NAO on local council funds. The minister’s action, Mr Fenech argued, was ultra vires.
Justice Minister Owen Bonnici requested the Speaker to pronounce himself on whether the PAC chairman could act in such a manner.
Speaker Anglu Farrugia said that he would give a ruling in due time.