The Opposition this evening condemned "attacks on institutions scrutinising government" during a debate on the Ombudsplan 2016 at Parliament's House Business Committee.

Last March, an anonymous letter was sent to the Speaker alleging that that Environment and Planning Commissioner David Pace had breached the terms of his office by carrying out private work as architect.

The complaint alleged that Mr Pace, who was made Commissioner in August 2012, signed a method statement concerning planning application in early 2103.

After these allegations surfaced in the media, Mr Pace had informed the Speaker that upon being appointed to the post of Commissioner, he had immediately started handing his work over to another architect.

The process was concluded within one month and he had not been involved in any Planning Authority-related work since then, he said. 

Referring to the method statement, Mr Pace said that he prepared the report on behalf of the applicant because of the tight time-frames involved.

In another letter sent to the Speaker yesterday, Mr Pace informed him that he was available to answer any queries he night have.

The Speaker and the Ombudsman clarified that, while explanations were being sought, Mr Pace was not subject to any investigation.

Ombudsman Tony Mifsud noted that two issues had been analysed studied in depth last year.

Considering the existing independent and autonomous entities dealing with such cases, he called on political parties to agree not to set up ad hoc investigatory boards following a change in administration.

The public administration did not seem to be always acknowledging the citizen’s right to be informed, he added.

Civil Rights Minister Helena Dalli gave a list of Government’s initiatives towards open government and remarked that it was unfortunate that these were not adequately reflected in the Ombudsplan 2016.

The committee agreed to recommend the approval of the Ombudsplan 2016.