Former minister John Dalli said today that he was not informed about the Preliminary Closure Agreement between the Foundation for Medical Services and Skanska on the building of Mater Dei Hospital until six weeks after it was signed, and he was not told of any waivers.

Last week Mr Dalli said the hospital contract was approved by the Cabinet (see http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150524/local/update-2-mater-dei.569536 

In a statement this morning, Mr Dalli said that yesterday he gave evidence in the inquiry about the quality issues in the concrete at Mater Dei, being conducted by Judge Emeritus Philip Sciberras.

"During this session it was established that I was only informed about the closure of the Project Closure Agreement about six weeks after it was signed.

"This resulted from an email sent by Mr. Paul Camilleri to me on the 5th April 2009 (the project was signed on the 19th February 2009). It says:

“Dear John,
I realize that I have not communicated with you directly regarding the closure of negotiations with Skanska, despite the fact that Brian advised me that he had briefly informed you about it.”

Mr Dalli said the e-mail then listed the salient points of the contract. These salient points, on which he could have been briefly informed, did not mention waivers, especially the additional waiver agreed to at the end of the contract.

"This shows the dishonesty and malicious intent of those who tried to point fingers at me in an attempt to extrapolate some bad practice or intent on my part. These same people must have known about these facts.," Mr Dalli said.

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