Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando is to be given a role within the Malta Council for Science and Technology specifically on research and development, the Prime Minister said today.
He was replying to questions after the government this morning published a list of eight Nationalist MPs who have been appointed parliamentary assistants assigned to various ministries.
Dr Pullicino Orlando did not feature on that list.
Dr Gonzi said that other backbenchers had opted to retain the roles they currently have - including chairmen of the various House committees and membership of the Mepa board.
Referring to the decision by Jean-Pierre Farrugia, who declined an invitation to also become a parliamentary assistant, Dr Gonzi denied that these appointments hindered MPs from criticising the governemnt. He said the code of ethics only precluded them from criticising the ministry to which they were assigned.
Dr Gonzi said the government was not inventing the wheel through this arrangement and this model worked particularly well in Canada and the UK.
See also
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100310/local/list-of-parliamentary-assistants-announced