Parliamentary Ombudsman Joseph Said Pullicino.

Parliamentary Ombudsman Joseph Said Pullicino’s appointment will expire in March, when he will have served two terms.

Dr Said Pullicino cannot be re-appointed.

Towards the end of his term in 2005, Joe Sammut, the first Ombudsman, suggested a public call for applications for the position.

This proposal was put forward again last Tuesday by Ivan Mifsud, former investigating officer within the Ombudsman’s office and senior lecturer at the Department of Public Law.

While acknowledging that the proposal might include positive aspects, caution is being suggested.

Contacted by this paper, Speaker of the House Anġlu Farrugia expressed his preference that “such development be the result of a wide and thorough debate rather than an administrative decision”.

“On balance, one should keep to the current procedure for the appointment of the Parliamentary Ombudsman. The fact that the appointment has to enjoy the vote of two-thirds of MPs ensures that it is a transparent and democratic appointment,” Dr Said Pullicino said.

He also pointed out that the proposal does not fit in with current legal provisions, as the choice by a selection committee cannot replace the discretion and the vote of individual MPs.

“However, I agree with the use of a public call for the appointment to posts, when this does not conflict with our legal set up. In this regard, for example, I agree with the recommendation of the Bonello commission for justice reform that members of the judiciary are appointed after a public call and scrutiny,” Dr Said Pullicino said.

Leader of the Opposition Simon Busuttil said he was not averse to the idea of a public call for the post of Ombudsman and that candidates submit themselves to scrutiny and to a vote in Parliament.

However, he recommended caution since there is little culture in Malta of this kind of process, and certain suitable people might hold back from applying. This could lead to a situation where the people who do actually apply might not have the best attributes.

“The election of a new Ombudsman requires a two-thirds majority in Parliament and therefore the Opposition will demand a selection process that is transparent and fit for such a high public office.

“The Opposition will not accept the government’s mediocre standards on meritocracy,” Dr Busuttil said.