The independence and transparency of internal grievances boards hearing past ‘injustices’ complaints had to be assured, the Ombudsman said yesterday.
Chief Justice Emeritus Joseph Said Pullicino felt there was nothing wrong in having such boards.
He noted that, irrespective of what they decided, the Ombudsman’s office would still retain the right to investigate their workings if fresh injustices were flagged.
The Labour government appointed ad hoc boards in State companies, the army and the public service, enabling officials who felt aggrieved under the Nationalist administrations to file complaints.
The Opposition deemed them a partisan short cut by the government to dish out favours to Labour-leaning public officials.
Asked whether he approved of the practice, Dr Said Pullicino said that, in principle, his office did not have any problem with such boards. However, he accepted that their internal structure and composition could raise questions about their transparency and independence.
“The problem arises when these internal boards address administrative decisions taken by others.
“This might be problematic and could lead to some discomfort with regard to transparency and impartiality,” he said.
Dr Said Pullicino said a similar situation had occurred after the Nationalist Party was elected to power in 1987 and a commission for the investigation of injustices was formed.
He noted that the idea of having an Ombudsman was precisely to ensure that any alleged injustices were dealt with in a fairer manner through an independent and transparent office.
Problems arise when these internal boards address administrative decisions by others
He made it clear that despite the decisions expected to be taken by the boards in question those who felt aggrieved could still resort to the Ombudsman and their cases would be thoroughly examined.
“We might also examine the way these grievances boards arrived to their conclusions,” he said when publishing a set of recommendations to strengthen the Ombudsman’s institution.
He said that, following a request by Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech, his office was recommending a number of changes, including inserting the individual’s right to good public administration as part of the Constitution.
Urging the government to make more use of his office, Dr Said Pullicino proposed the appointment of more commissioners in specialised areas, including for those deprived of their liberty and another for local councils.
Report on politicians’ salaries ready
A report proposing the salary mechanism for holders of political office was given to the Prime Minster in December, the Ombudsman said.
Before the last election and following the furore over the honoraria issue that plagued the Nationalist government, Joseph Muscat had said although he was in favour of revising politicians’ salaries, it was not right for the government to make such decisions.
He said that, after the election, he would commission a report from the Ombudsman, the Auditor General and the Principal Electoral Commissioner on how politicians’ salaries should be structured.
The Ombudsman yesterday revealed that, following a request in April 2013, a report had been drawn up and presented to Dr Muscat in December. The report suggests a new mechanism on how the Prime Minister and MPs should be remunerated.
Asked to say what the recommendations were, the Ombudsman said it was not his competence to do so.
Following the election, Dr Muscat had said that although there might be scope to increase politicians’ remuneration, he ruled out such a rise during this legislature.