Social Policy Minister John Dalli says he is ready to face the MEPs, the foreign press and the bureaucracy to excel in Brussels.

European Commission President José Manuel Barroso has given you the health and consumer policy portfolio? Are you happy with it?

Yes. It's a very important portfolio which poses several challenges and has several implications for European citizens. I hope to achieve tangible results and am looking forward to it.

Did you discuss the portfolio with him when you met him in Brussels last week?

I visited Brussels last week to acquaint myself with Mr Barroso, whom I didn't personally know. I was there again last Thursday to get an indication and objectives of my portfolio.

Do you think your experience in the health sector will help?

Yes. I've learnt a lot in the past 18 months.

When were you approached by the Prime Minister about the Commissioner's post?

It was a while ago that he told me he was contemplating making me the offer. In the meantime we held discussions.

Was there a formal offer or was there someone else in the running?

I was aware of the list of candidates he was considering. We were very frank with each other.

What took you so long to decide?

The post was offered to me before I went to speak to Mr Barroso. On my part, I had to consider several aspects. The job entails a drastic change in one's life. Furthermore, I was very happy and excited to serve in this ministry. I wanted to be here when the results of the reforms emerge.

Since your name was touted for the post, there have been several claims that the Prime Minister wanted to eliminate you from Cabinet; others said you were kicked upstairs. Are they far off the mark?

There were practical considerations. The Commissioner's post is not a ceremonial one. It is a very active job, with lots of exposure. When you kick someone upstairs you put him in the attic. Everyone makes assumptions and I won't comment on that.

Everyone knows you and the Prime Minister hardly have an excellent relationship and many believe the public comments you two have made about each other in the past week are nothing more than a charade. Could it be the case that both of you are happy to part ways?

That doesn't apply to me. Ask the Prime Minister the same question. I had a very exciting post here and I was serving it in a loyal and efficient manner in the Prime Minister's Cabinet.

But during a recent interview you even declined to comment when asked whether the Prime Minister was doing a good job. Do you think he is doing a good job?

I am part of the Prime Minister's job. It's unfair to pass such judgment on myself. It is a collective effort. The government is doing a good job. The Prime Minister is heading it and therefore he's doing a good job - in the current circumstances. It's difficult to take tough decisions. I know what it means because I did so myself for several years. You realise a person's worth when he takes certain decisions he won't be applauded for.

And do you think the Prime Minister has taken these decisions?

I think he has... decisions like the (high) water and electricity tariffs needed to be taken.

What goes through your mind when you hear people saying the Prime Minister wanted to get rid of you so much that he has effectively deprived the Cabinet of its most experienced and effective member?

Of course I thank people who think I perform well as a minister. But the Prime Minister wanted to take a specific direction and I would like to believe that he took decisions in the interest of the country. I think the portfolio we've been given is important and it includes elements like the pharmaceutical industry. The portfolio was actually modelled on my CV, so we can't ignore the fact that it was in the interest of this country.

Did the Prime Minister offer you another EU post before this?

No.

A post of the European Court of Auditors...?

No. He didn't.

Do you feel you have what it takes to handle the bureaucracy of Brussels?

You have to be presumptuous to think you can easily handle it. But I will do my utmost to reach my objectives despite the bureaucracy that comes with the job.

On the other hand, the media play a prominent role in Brussels. Do you think you can handle so many journalists well, considering you have a very poor relationship with the press in Malta?

Firstly, each Commissioner has his own staff to deal with the press. Secondly, I don't think the press in Brussels will have the same agenda as they do here. They will be more objective and focused on the subject without building on innuendos, which the Maltese media likes to do.

Do you think the press 'agenda' in Malta is built on political perceptions or is it specifically targeted at you?

I think there are several journalists with heavy baggage who are trying to prove a point.

Prove a point to whom?

To themselves. I hate the press's superficiality and the way it reports just one side of an issue.

The Brussels press is renowned to pick on the most irrelevant of subjects. They will pick up on the slip of a tongue.

You have to be careful... That's why I don't speak a lot.

You will be facing the MEPs' grilling test in January. After the Rocco Buttiglione debacle (who was opposed by some political groups) do you fear you might face a difficult test?

I would be stupid if I took anything for granted. The EP is not a rubber stamp and the grilling will raise certain issues. I am not ready to sell myself or my soul. But we need to make it clear we are open to any dialogue. I already have appointments with the DG people from Monday. I hope I can give loyal and true answers, which don't create obstacles.

Do you think the MEPs might pick on certain business interests you have...

... I have no business interests. I have none. They have nothing to pick on.

So you're optimistic you'll sail through it...

If I didn't think I'd pass I wouldn't bother going through it. I'm convinced that I have no problems at all with the code of conduct that Commissioners have to go through. I have no business interests and I have no conflict of interest in the Commission, the same way I have none in my country.

With a few weeks to go before leaving Maltese politics, how do you feel after all you've been through? Do you leave with a heavy heart?

We worked very hard in the last year-and-a-half. I will have a heavy heart because I will not see the results of the reforms. I'm convinced the Prime Minister will select people who can continue on this line.

Are you sorry about anything in the past few years?

I'm sorry about several things in the past few years... but none for these last 18 months.